The True Meaning of Christmas

It’s no secret that I have been blessed with one of the most amazing teenagers ever! I know all mom’s think that about their kids. But seriously, I just wanted to take a few minutes today to tell you about my oldest daughter, because she blesses me, and I think she will bless you too!

At 16 years old, this child of mine has been a model, straight A student all of her life (Except for that one B she got  in 4th grade). After this semester she will not only have completed her junior year of High school, but will only need three more classes to also have her Associates Degree. She will graduate from College 6 months before she graduates from high school!

 

She is an amazing big sister and loves her little brother (Luca) and sister (Gigi) as much as they adore her!

She is obedient, kind and sweet, and goes out of her way to constantly grow in every area. She can sing and play the piano and has recently started writing some pretty good songs! She is a joy not only to our family, but also to our church community.

About 6 months ago she earned a little money. Well not a little, actually more than I probably earned in a whole month of working when I was her age. You would think that a teenage girl who loves clothes and shoes and jewelry would have been planning a killer shopping trip right? Nope not her.

She said, ” Oh good, now I can really give Luca and Gigi a great Christmas from me.” She found out what they wanted and planned out exactly how she could surprise them on Christmas morning. Then she said, now I need to believe God for some more money so I can get stuff for you and Daddy. I assured her that we did not need anything and that we were just so impressed that she was being such a blessing to her siblings that that was the greatest gift we could receive.

Let me back up, my daughter has always been a  giver. I taught her how to tithe when she was little and she on her own would also give offerings as well. In fact there were times I had to tell her it was ok to actually keep the money she had been given because she always wanted to give it all away. The crazy thing is though, that money seems to find her. She gets blessed all the time.

It was cute because she had told a friend of mine what she had gotten me for Christmas and she asked her, “How did you get the money to buy that?!” Lauren just shrugged and said, “God gives me money!” And He does. I’ve never seen anything like it.  She is a true example of the scripture in Luke 6:38  Give, and [gifts] will be given to you; good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over, will they pour into [the pouch formed by] the bosom [of your robe and used as a bag]. For with the measure you deal out [with the measure you use when you confer benefits on others], it will be measured back to you.

So back to my story, she ended up with enough money to purchase the gifts she had picked out for each of us. Then was blessed with some more. You would think that then she would go at least buy herself a new pair of shoes or something. Wrong again. She decided that she would just get another gift for us instead. Every dime she made for the past six months (after she gave some to God) she used to bless us. She is a true example of what Christmas is really all about.

 John 3:16 says For God so loved the world that He gave His only son, that whosoever would believe in Him would not perish but have everlasting life. God gave us a gift so many years ago. A selfless sacrifice made out of love.

The gift of His only Son. In the midst of the busyness of the season, take the time to really reflect on  the true meaning of Christmas. It was shown to me through my precious daughter in such a powerful way.

I encourage you to find a way to be that same kind of blessing. Get a gift for someone less fortunate, go out of your way to spend time with people that could use some holiday cheer, find a way to brighten someone else’s day. Let the gift that’s been given to you shine through and affect someone else’s life today!