Is there anything more torturous than Christmas Eve? Santa is on his way with all of his little toys and you just can’t stand it. One time I swear I heard the bells jingling from his hands. I ran into my room and tried to make myself go to bed. I laid there all night just dreaming of Christmas. I can still smell my grandmother’s house right now as I reflect on it. Is there anything like being a kid at Christmas?
Why is it that when we are younger, we want to be older and when we are older, we want to be younger? I don’t get it. I would do anything to go back and be a kid again at Christmas. Anything! There is nothing like waking up on Christmas morning and running into the den to see what presents you could tear in to. Anticipation. Intrigue. Mystery. Excitement. I don’t know about you but I refuse to grow up. I simply don’t want to grow up. I think growing up is a frame of mind. Who says that I have to grow up?
As Christians I think it is important to never lose sight of childlike curiosity and intrigue. Remember when the story of Jesus walking on water made you almost jump out of your shoes? Fire from heaven. Ax heads floating. Joshua conquering land and enemies. These are stories of our faith that make us dream again. Maybe we should treat Christmas this way. Excitement and intrigue. Here is what I’ve decided to do this Christmas Eve. I am going to have our entire family camp out in our room. My wife does not know this yet so keep it quiet. We are going to have an old fashioned camp out in our room and I am going to sleep on the floor with our kids. Why? BECAUSE THAT IS WHAT KIDS LIKE TO DO. I DON’T WANT TO GROW UP. Now some of you are reading this and thinking “give me a break.” I just simply want to be a kid again this year. Last year I was way too “grown up.” I’m done with that. I am going to run downstairs like a mad man on Christmas morning. I am going to let loose. Maybe I need to grow up. I don’t know. I just simply feel compelled to be a ten year old this Christmas!
Think about it for a second and maybe you will find that you are way too old. Ask the Holy Spirit to give you eyes to see Christmas through the lens of a child again. You might find yourself falling back in love with the whole idea all over again.
Question: What can you do this year to be a kid again? Get creative and remember Matthew 18:2-4. Go read it and think about Christmas as well. Jesus loves kids. Let’s all be children this Christmas.
Chad Norris
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