Sometimes it takes the wisdom of a 2 year old to remind us of what Christmas and
life are all about. It was the day after Christmas 19 years ago. I was a
struggling substitute teacher who had barely earned enough to pay the rent and
electric bills for our tiny apartment that month. The only gifts my wife and I
could afford for our children were a few stuffed animals.
I put my kids to bed that night and wearily walked back into the living room. I
was sad about not being able to give them a better Christmas. Suddenly, I heard
a giggle. I walked back into their bedroom and my foot stepped on one of those
stuffed animals. A second giggle came from within the big cardboard box that
held their toys. I peeked over the top of it. My 2 year old daughter had dragged
her 5 year old brother into the box to hide from Daddy. I gently stepped over
the toys they had emptied out to make room for themselves, leaned down and
tickled my little girl. She squealed with delight and wrapped her arms around my
neck. I smiled and gave her a big kiss on the cheek. I hugged her and her
brother then put them back to bed. Gazing down at them I realized that Love was
the only Christmas gift we needed.
Looking back on that time reminds me of what Christmas is all about. It isn’t
about how expensive the gifts we give and receive are. It is rather about the
birth of another special child some two thousand years ago. This child would
grow up to teach us all how to love each other.
He would give us all so much joy. He would show us all how to face the trials of
this life with faith and hope while preparing our souls for the greater life to
come.
May we all embrace the wisdom of this special child. May we all fill this
Christmas with hugs, kisses, laughter, and joy. And may we all spend all of our
days here on Earth sharing
God’s greatest gift: Love!
Joseph J. Mazzella
joemazzella@PROTECTED
