Christmas Miracles

It's a tough thing for me, but I am really re-thinking the gift-giving at this Christmas season. With the financial situation in our household, it's going to be a whole lot different than Christmases past. But then, haven't we got enough stuff. I'm still trying to get the boys to put the PS2 games back in the cases and in the rack where there go. Somehow the "Games away, Games away" Kindermusik song isn't working at age 14... Go figure. There is no appreciation for what we have, so why should we get more? So what if we don't have as many gifts under the tree as last year. And who said that Hollister clothes should be the only clothes that youth wear these days? They are just shirts. Who pays $28 for a shirt? Just for the name. I refuse to follow. I will make my own path. And maybe, just maybe, this is the Christmas Miracle we've been looking for. What if we GIVE this season, and don't worry about getting at all. I think there is a unknown blessing to be had in the giving (sacrifically giving, not just the flippant coin in the Salvation Army canister). We'll see. Maybe it will be a flop at our house this year and we'll have sad faces Christmas morning. Or perhaps we will have a joy missed by several others and a Christmas memory that won't fade, scratch or be outgrown. Maybe we'll experience a Christmas Miracle.