As my family gathered in the living room this morning, I couldn't help but look around at my them and smile when I think about the people I have grown with. And then I realized that Christmas is not what it used to be. There used to be crazy anticipation the night before and then Josh and Alex would wake us up at six in the morning because our presents were waiting. We used to play all day, like the one Christmas when we played hockey matches in our very small upstairs hallway or drove the big red car throughout the living room and the kitchen or when I made crazy concoctions with my Easy Bake Oven. Christmases were more about the stuff and less about the people, but I think as we have matured, we have realized what we have with each other is far more important than any material thing.
But, it is clear that there is something missing. When my brother passed away, a part of each of us left with him. Christmas will never be the same - our lives will never be the same. Alex was something amazing; he was not perfect, but he was perfectly Alex. And his life has inspired so much of what I have done and who I have become. But as much as the loss of my brother hurts, Christmas is so beautiful because it is about the birth of a Savior who came to defeat death - death that we deserve because of the sin in our lives. We have life because God sent His Son for us. Praise the Lord for the gift of His Son, His life, death, and resurrection - and the gift of family, friends, health, and safety. God is so good and we have much to be thankful for!
Merry Christmas, friends!
------------------------------------------------------------
Alex missed a North Dakota Christmas one year as he was traveling throughout Australia, Fiji, New Zealand, and Thailand. A photo from that trip..
..oh, Alex.. :)
No comments:
Post a Comment