Whew! I made it through another Christmas. But the crud caught up with me. I wasn’t the only one who was hacking in church. Thankfully I don’t feel too horrible, just major coughing and slight headache and tons of snot. And coughing during the night. But it’s okay. It is what it is!

Christmas Day felt a little more subdued than usual, maybe it had something to do with being on a Monday, or maybe it was because I didn’t build it up in my mind like I normally do. I’m working on letting go of expectations. It’s been a gradual change over the past few years.

We had fun Christmas Eve playing a game called “You’re My Lobster” which is a strange name for a guessing game. You ask a question about yourself and everyone gives their answers as to how they think you will answer the question. So you’re supposed to see how well you know each other. We don’t play a lot of games as a family. I would like to play more, but it’s up to them.

On Christmas Day after lunch we started a jigsaw puzzle which we finished this morning. I enjoyed sharing some time with my oldest son and his girlfriend doing the puzzle while he played DJ. I don’t know where he finds all those great vintage disco and R&B songs !

Our Christmas traditions are evolving as the kids are now almost all moved out of the house. We hung no stockings this year and there was extra space under the tree. They got towels and appliances this year instead of action figures and Legos. But they still look to mom for the food and dad for the jokes and guitar playing . I’m not the only one adjusting to change.

Christmas only gets one day on the calendar, but we all have a choice whether we continue the holiday spirit of peace , love , and continue giving something that seems to be more available during the holidays, the gift Jesus gave us: grace.

We can choose to show love every day because Jesus was born to show us that love conquers all. Even though humanity totally failed to love God as we should, He didn’t stop loving us. The love of God enables us to love others without fear of rejection or unmet expectations.

We live in a fallen world. The odds are good that something unexpected and unpleasant or sad or expensive or annoying or exhausting or infuriating will happen when you’re just minding your own business trying to be a good person. Try not to take it too personally or let it cause you to sin. This too shall pass. Keep your eyes on Jesus and your heart open. (Note to self!)