my growing up Christmas list

You know those things that make you feel warmer, make your thoughts deeper, and compel you to turn on a feel-good movie? These are life’s little treasures that slow down the pace and allow memories to be constructed right in front you in a way that makes each laugh, each smile, each hug a still frame in a living photo book. I love those things. Fireplaces, Norah Jones, hot tea, fleece blankets, and home cooked meals are just a few of my treasures. 

But perhaps my most valued treasure is this Christmas season. This week of late December that drips icicles, hovers warm wishes, and reactivates memories as joyous and tangible as the gifts wrapped under the tree.

 Austin and I arrived at 1707 Kennsington Lane this past Friday evening. We scooped up our bags, and shivered our way out of the van, up the front stoop, and into the house. Cozy familiarity instantly rushed over me as I was squeezed by each member of my family. Trayser’s give good hugs. Is there anything better? You know the kind…the ones that make you a tad short of breath because arms are so tightly wrapped around you? If you do know the kind, go give one to someone today. If you don’t know the kind, ask someone from Chicago to give you a hug. They’re experts. 

Chicago Christmases thaw me. Even though I live in 70+ degree weather for the rest of the year, the cold and bitter parts of me thaw when I’m home for Christmas. I forget I have a cell phone and I stay in my pj’s.  I eat food that warms my soul and I give hugs to people even when I’m not saying hello or goodbye to them. I embrace them because they’re there and because I can.

This time of year always floods my mind with swirling thoughts of the perfect gift. But I got to thinking this year about presents I can give each day that may not cost me anything. This is more than my grown up Christmas list… it’s my growing-up Christmas list.

I want to meet and greet each person in my life as someone who is able to teach me something marvelous. Regardless of their age, their gender, their position, or their background I want to approach each person that is coming or going with education anticipation. Whether it’s my cousin’s little girls that laugh uncontrollably playing ring around the rosie, my brother’s uncanny sense of humor, or that stranger’s pace of driving… I want to learn more and teach less.

I want to listen even when I disagree or think I have something interesting to add to a conversation. I want to do more than just hear words. I want them to saturate my soul and stretch my mind in ways that break up walls of judgments. I want to ask questions that others may deem awkward or unacceptable because they demand an honest answer. And when I ask those questions, I want the patience to listen.

I want to compile a list of specific moments in each day that I consciously stop and recognize the potential of the present. Coffee house smile from a stranger, unexpected song on the radio, words so rich that they deserved to be written on a sticky note, remembrance of what a wedding band truly stands for... stuff like that.

I want the fruit of my labor to be the fruit of the spirit. I want to be described by oldest friends and perfect strangers as loving, kind, joyful, peaceful, patient, good, faithful and gentle. As unnatural as it may be- steps in the Spirit ensure steps away from myself. And nothing could be sweeter than that.

So if you’re scrambling this 20^th of December to find the perfect gift- remember that sometimes we outgrow those sweaters and yearn for more love instead of more things. But, one thing I will never outgrow is the story of a little boy born in Bethlehem. Who lived and lived perfectly. And loved enough to sacrifice himself so I could one day hold His story more valuable than any Christmas present to come.  And this gift is better than on sale with free shipping. It’s one-size-fits all and comes as instantly as our next breath.

JOY TO THE WORLD!

and merry christmas