The Heart of Christmas

Christmas is my favorite time of the year! I love everything about it... the smells, the sounds, the music, the lights, the decorations, the colors, the movies, the television shows, the stories, the Christmas parties, the hustle & bustle of the malls (yes.. I love the excitement and energy) and most importantly - the birth of baby Jesus and spending time with family. I think the most important part of this time of year is to cherish it and not take it for granted. Take in every experience, soak it in. This time of year comes around only once a year and we need to enjoy every minute. This time of year is a true gift from God. He not only gave us his son this time of year, but he gave us the blessings of all the excitement this time of year brings.

I heard a song on the radio yesterday. It is by Christian artist Matthew West and it's called "The Heart of Christmas." I think it perfectly describes this season of the year. Here are the lyrics:

I'm gonna make a wish this Christmas

I'm gonna say a little prayer

I'm gonna stop here for a moment

before the moment disappears.

The world's in a hurry this December

City streets and shopping malls

I wish we could slow down and remember

The meaning of it all

Wherever you are, no matter how far

Come back to the heart, the heart of Christmas

Live while you can, cherish the moment

The ones that you love, make sure they know it

Don't miss, the heart of Christmas

Let's make it feel the way it used to

Let's find that wonder of a child

You can see the magic all around you

Come on, and open up your eyes

You can find it in the warm embrace of your family

Or calling up a long lost friend

You can find it in the eyes of a stranger

When you reach out a helping hand

In the shadow of a steeple

In a star that lights the way

You will find him in a manger

The heart of Christmas has a name

I'm gonna make a wish this Christmas

I'm gonna say a little prayer

Wherever you are, no matter how far

Come back to the heart, the heart of Christmas

Live while you can and cherish the moment

The ones that you love, make sure they know it

Wherever you are, now matter how far

Come back to the heart, the heart of Christmas

Live while you can, cherish the moment

The ones that you love, make sure they know it

Don't miss it, the heart of Christmas

Every year I get to spend this wonderful season with my extended family. The love that we share is apparent in the fact that we don't mind fitting 8 people on a couch!
A few years later, we didn't quite all fit on the couch. But we were still sitting on top of each other!