A Christmas Lesson From A Child

Celebrating Christmas as adults is far different from when we were kids.  As adults, between shopping, baking, cleaning, decorating and having the kids home for Christmas vacation, a lot of us can't wait until Christmas is over.  Basically, by the time we are adults, we lose the magic of Christmas.

The past couple of nights have been difficult.  Madelyne is not staying in her bed and by the third time she comes out, I'm tired, cranky and frustrated.  When I put her to bed last night, I told her not to come out.  Twenty minutes later, my door opens.  She asked me to wind up her globe again.  (Music helps her fall asleep.)  I sighed, went in to wind the globe and told her not to come out again.

Fifteen minutes later, she's back out.  After going back and forth I told her I was going to wind it up one more time.  If she comes out again, I'm not doing it again.  I wind it up, kiss her good night and told her she better stay in her room.  Ten minutes later, my door opens.  Exasperated, I say, "Madelyne..." and then stop.  She's crying.  Did she hurt herself?  Is she sick?  Ear infection?  Tummy ache?  I asked her why she was crying and she answered through her tears:

"I'm so sorry Mommy.  I want to fall asleep but I'm so excited for Christmas.  I'm so tired but I'm so excited."

My heart broke.  

I remember that frustration too when I was little.  I was never able to sleep around the holidays.  I was so excited for everything.  Family, Christmas Eve dinner, Christmas carols at Church, decorations, and of course, Santa.  

I used to be that person who brought out the Christmas decorations the day after Thanksgiving.   I never listened to any music other than Christmas music from the day after Thanksgiving to the day after Christmas.  I put change in every Salvation Army red bucket I passed by.  But somewhere along the way, I lost that excitement.  

It took my child's tears to bring it back.

 How blessed am I to see the magic and wonderment of Christmas through the eyes of my daughter?  The sparkle of the Christmas lights that reflect in her eyes.  The delight in knowing that her Uncle Jeff is flying all the way from California and will be here soon.  And of course, the belief in Santa Claus.

As I wiped the tears from Madelyne's cheeks, I asked if she wanted to sleep in my bed.  Her smile was my answer.  

As she drifted off into sleep, I lay awake and tears started rolling down my cheeks.  Not sad tears, mind you.  But thankful tears.  Thankful that for some reason, God chose me to be Madelyne's mommy.  I learn from her all the time. Last night is a lesson that I will never forget:

The magic of Christmas through the eyes of a child is the true meaning of Christmas.