The Best Christmas Ever

Driving home from Publix (our local grocery store) the other day, I was listening to a Christmas song by Hilary Weeks about making room in our hearts for the Savior.  I was sorting through various emotions and to-do lists in preparation for our upcoming celebrations, and I must admit that, though I have tried to make the most of our Christmas celebrations, I have felt a tinge of guilt for choosing not to over indulge my children in gifts this year.

They will get a few presents under the tree (we have never been the family to go overboard spending on tangible gifts; I am more apt to give gifts of time through baking, candy making, carolling, and offering service to others during the holidays and throughout the year), but I keep wondering if they will be disappointed.

So, as the guilt swept into my heart, I shooed it out to welcome the feeling of peace as the song continued.  Tears flooded my eyes, yet they did not fall into my smile.  We were parked in the driveway by now, and Joshua peeked his head around my seat to tickle my neck.  I laughed and smothered him with kisses.  Then I leaned over to Lis who was laughing herself in the seat next to me and tickled her to produce abundant laughter.

In an immediate thought, I spoke these words to her:

This is going to be the BEST Christmas EVER!!!!!

She chuckled a bit more and responded with her usual exuberance:

I KNOW!!!  :)