The perfect gift for the season

CINDY TRANE CHRISTESON

“The hinge of history is on the door of a Bethlehem stable.”

-- RALPH W. SOCKMAN

“Let this Christmas season be a renewing of the mind of Christ in

our thinking, and a cleansing of our lives by His presence. Let His

joy come to our weary world through us.”

-- GERALD KENNEDY

We received Christmas catalogs long before Thanksgiving. Besides

being a wonderful time to celebrate all we have to be thankful for,

Thanksgiving also seemed like a momentary pause before a race.

I remember when our daughters ran track, and how I held my breath

until I heard the starting gun and then breathed again as the runners

took off. It felt like that this year, and it seemed like the day we

flipped our calendars to December, the biggest rush of all started,

and soon Christmas music, lights, and decorations appeared.

I talked with other women, and while some were excited about

Christmas, others felt stressed. We talked about Christmas cards, and

I admitted that I too struggled with whether or not to send them, and

if so, who we need to add or delete.

One friend said, “You may hate me, but I finished my shopping

before Thanksgiving.”

We looked at her in amazement.

“You’re right,” one woman teasingly said, “I hate you.”

The woman said she bought very little because she wanted to give

more to the needy, and focus on time spent with friends and family,

and not all the fluff. I realized that the world can invite

competition during this season, but God offers connection and

reconciliation.

Soon after that, I went for a morning walk, and was amazed at how

many drivers barely slowed down at a four-way stop. I jumped out of

the way as one turned without even looking. She was on the phone and

in a hurry, and only when another car honked did she look at me and

wave an apology.

Later, I was with a group of women and shared thoughts about

Christmas.

One woman named Kathy said, “I love that it is about the birth of

Christ, but it’s hard to take time to reflect on that with all the

hustle and bustle of the season.”

We spoke about simplifying things. One woman had recently visited

family and been housebound due to weather.

“At first, I thought I might get antsy, but we drank hot

chocolate, talked and played games,” she said. “I just loved being

together.”

I thought about past holidays. Yes, I remember delicious meals,

festive decorations and wonderful presents, but more than a present

was who was present. I loved playing games, singing songs and talking

at the table.

I mentioned that to a friend.

“That sounds refreshing,” she said. “I’m already short on patience

with my children, and they are, too. I don’t like how commercial it

has become, and how I feel like I have to have a perfect home,

perfect gifts, bake perfect foods, have the family dressed perfectly,

and all the other perfection that we see in ads. I feel more like

saying, ‘Bah, humbug’ this year, and I’m embarrassed to say, I wish

it was over.”

We talked about the perfect gift, the One God sent in a manger

long ago. We agreed to try to focus more on the presence of God, and

our desire to share more of His presence than wrapped presents. May

God’s joy bring peace, love and joy to you this holiday season.

And you can quote me on that.

* CINDY TRANE CHRISTESON is a Newport Beach resident who speaks

frequently to parenting groups. She may be reached via e-mail at

cindy@onthegrow.com or through the mail at 537 Newport Center Drive,

Suite 505, Newport Beach, CA 92660.