the christmas box

i have mentioned before that bryan and i are pretty sparse on the gifts we give our girls for christmas. we have narrowed down our holiday bequests to a few choice traditions which we sprinkle throughout the month such as a christmas book on the first day of advent, some pajamas and a new family game on christmas eve, and inexpensive trinkets and treats in their stockings on christmas morning.

in addition, there is the christmas box.

beginning on december 13th, the christmas box appears in the morning on the breakfast table. the girls eagerly await opening the gold box and discovering what bit of christmas magic they will enjoy that day. be it a family activity like ice skating or watching a christmas movie or decorating cookies or having a christmas picnic with daddy at his office, or an act of service such as delivering groceries to a family in need or putting together care packages for missionaries or sending treats to family and friends, or yes, even opening two small gifts found underneath the tree.

i love christmas. i love that people try to be kinder and happier and work a little harder at clothing the naked, feeding the hungry, and visiting the sick and the lonely. we spend more time with our families and loved ones, deepening the relationships that matter most. and i think everyone yearns, as we go into another year, to be better, more loving, and more giving. there is great hope in celebrating the birth and joy of Jesus Christ. it's a beautiful and poignant season, and bryan and i wish you and yours the very best this christmas.