I remember my first experience with a video game. It was an Atari display model at the Woolco on Raeford Road in Fayetteville, North Carolina. Every time I accompanied my parents to the shopping center that December, I waited in line for my turn to playing Space Invaders on the Woolco Atari. I begged mom and dad to get me one for Christmas, and I was very happy when I found one under the tree!
But here's the thing: that's the only Christmas present I can remember getting. What I remember most about my childhood Christmases are two aunts and an uncle coming over on Christmas Day to visit. I remember larger family reunions on the weekends leading up to Christmas.
I also remember the music. My parents always played an LP of highlights from Handel's "Messiah." For some reason, the track I remember the most is "The trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised imperishable." That track is about Easter more than Christmas, but Easter is the whole point of Christmas! God's Son came down and was born in Bethlehem so that he could raise us up to live forever with God.
Christmas is about relationships; it's not about the gifts. It's about a relationship with Jesus Christ. It's about loving relationships with the most important people in our lives. You don't have to go into debt or keep up with the Joneses to make Christmas special for your children. Just make time for them to be with you and yours. Stream some Christmas carols in the house.
And bring them to church where you can hear and sing along to live Christmas music! Our Christmas Eve services are at 11:00 AM, 5:30 PM, and 8:00 PM.