Early Morning Rising...and Pajamas

Dear Reader,

Well, this will be my first entry for the "Sharing Christmas" series through At the Well!
Enjoy :)

When it comes to Christmas traditions, I've noticed that with my family, we like to keep it simple...really simple. Aside from eating incredibly good, homemade food, and just being home with one another, there is one thing that I've noticed we do every single Christmas morning.

We wear our pajamas around the house...all day.

I have no idea why we do this. My own tradition is that I always have on my bright red, snowman covered pajama pants. They're much too big, but I have not the slightest care in the world. I guess this may sound like a silly Christmas tradition, but there is something sweet about it that just now came across my mind.

My family is comfortable around one another. We have this comfort because of the love that we share for each other as well. My Mom could be watching football. My Step-dad could be working. My brother could be playing video games. I could be watching a movie. At the end of the day, there is one thing that I know is in my family, and that is love.

I have also realized that my Mom asks the same question every single year before my brother and I will start opening gifts. I don't think she means to do it. She just does. She'll ask, "Jess. Jordan. Now, you remember the real meaning behind Christmas right?"
My brother and I will always say yes, but it is now that I see for myself why my Mom says it. Sometimes, we'll move so fast through life that we forget the bigger meaning behind things. With Christmas for example, my brother and I have consistently been excited about gifts, despite our age. It's a ray of being a kid again that decides to show itself for just a few moments. My Mom though, has not failed to make us stop and think...even if just for a few moments. I don't want to move so fast through my life that I don't see the bigger things. I don't want to wake up in my dorm room and forget that even going to college is a blessing. I don't want to be with my family and forget that they may not be there forever, but while they are here, they are a firm foundation in my life. I don't want to think of Christmas and forget the birth of Jesus Christ.

I don't want to think of Jesus Christ and forget that He died because of a love that is unfathomable and unconditional, for "a wretch like me."

So what is my family's Christmas tradition?
We wear our pajamas all day,
in comfort,
in love,
in celebration,
of one another,
in this season,
in remembrance of Him,
and all that He is.

"When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy."-Matthew 2:10

God Bless,

JB