Hi gang;

Facial expressions seem to be the make or break now at Christmas.  I remember being the age of my kiddos and getting the cool stuff and just freaking out about how the whole Santa gig really worked!  We didn’t have a camera back then…until one Christmas Mom and Dad splurged to get a Polaroid.  Those of you that remember, know full well that as much as they sold the point-and-click feature of that camera…it wasn’t really all that instantaneous of a shot – certainly not compared to the cameras we have today.

This morning, my kiddos certainly delivered on the facial expressions.  I swear Ward is learning his facial movements from some manual I must’ve created back when I was 5.  The elasticity in his face – how a boy can open his mouth that wide, make his eyes that big, have his face turn three shades during the process – nothing beats it.  Scottie is almost the same way, but she accompanies hers with outbursts of laughter, words, and song.  The difference between the two – pretty hilarious really…Scottie is excited by her new clothes and Ward just looks as if those two gifts were wasted silver bullets that could’ve been spent on more great toys.  I was the same way.  When Santa brought clothes, he really made me question his manhood…

In 40 years of Christmas, I’ve never had a White Christmas.  For those out there who are tired of snow, I hate to say this, but I really love it.  I wouldn’t want it year round…in fact, I’m good with it coming once every couple of years like it does here.  But seeing the kids watch with expectancy yesterday as the snow fell and melted, then began to accumulate, then became something with which we could at least attempt to have a snowball fight…that was as good a gift as I could’ve asked for on Christmas.  I understand that Dallas hasn’t had a White Christmas since the 1920s.  So I knew my memory wasn’t faulty on this.  Now I know why Irving Berlin dreamt of a White Christmas.  Down here, many of us have dreamt that dream all our lives…and today that was answered.

They say the giver is blessed at least as much as the receiver, if not more.  I’m starting to understand that better the further I get along in my fatherhood.  If that holds true in the spiritual realm, imagine God’s joy on a day like today.  His gift isn’t just the life of His Son, but the very bread and water we eat (both literally and figuratively), grace, mercy, peace, and the list goes on.  (If you want the list, it’s in print for you – just crack open that Bible and voila!).

Most of you know some, if not all, of the struggles I’ve seen in 2009.  And I know many of you and yours.  I can honestly say, sitting here on my first White Christmas, that this year has been one of my best yet.  I’ve never felt more blessed and never more grateful for the gifts I’ve received in life.  The very friendships we’ve created together have shaped each one of us into who we are today.  Every one of you…each and every one of you, I can point at and name at least one thing you “gave” me…some of you more than that.  And yes, that includes those I’ve only known a short time or for that mist of a moment.  Still, the presence of those gifts are lifelong – and can only be attributed to God’s love for me.  Some of you know that I love giving gifts wherever I can.  I’ve met one or two of you who tried to outgive me, and those competitions usually left us broke!  😉 Today I realize that the giver really does get more…many times much more…than the receiver.

I’m not sure how God “wins” in that particular case.  I mean, after all, I get heaven – both here and after I’ve passed…and He gets, well…me.  But hey, I believe that pay-it-forward can always pay back – and I’m pretty sure I don’t know everything (yes, copy it and paste it because you won’t hear that often from me), so I’m sure He gets much more than that.

Thank all of you for your gifts,
Thank all of you for having an impact on me,
Thank each and every one of you for being there when you were.

Finish 2009 strong – and I wait with childlike anticipation for what 2010 will bring.
Peace to all of you,
Tim