Bring Back Big Families

“I see the children play outside, like angels in the snow
While mom and daddy share a kiss under the mistletoe
And we’ll cherish all these simple things wherever we may be
Oh, why? ‘Cause that’s Christmas to me”

“That’s Christmas to Me,” by Pentatonix

I challenged my students recently to write an essay for extra credit on the theme of what Christmas means to them, inspired by the Pentatonix song prefaced above. While only one student actually did it (here’s looking at you, Melissa), I figured I’d have a go myself. So here it goes.

What does Christmas mean to me? It’s hard to sum it up in just a short essay like this, because there are just so many things to say. But here goes my list of what Christmas means to me.

Seeing the light in my children’s eyes as they discuss what they’re asking for from Santa. Seeing their eyes light up as the lights and inflatables in our yard go on for the first time the night after Thanksgiving. Seeing them high five each inflatable each time they go outside and they’re on. Seeing the joy of the season in them as they see Christmas lights on houses from the window of our car as we drive here and there. Seeing them so eagerly picking out gifts for one another. Seeing them get so excited to pick Christmas gifts from Samaritan’s Purse for those less fortunate in our world. Seeing three of my boys be shepherds in the Christmas Eve children’s reenactment of the first Christmas at mass. Seeing their faces gathered around the table as we share our Christmas meal. Seeing them laughing and enjoying every Christmas movie and special episode we watch together. Seeing their eyes drift to sleep on Christmas Eve as their last few waking moments are spent pondering how close Santa is to Texas after seeing him flying over Quebec, Canada on the NORAD Santa tracker. Seeing them tear their gifts open and give thanks for Santa leaving them what they wished for.

Seeing each of my children embrace their mother and loving her for everything she does for us.

Seeing them so happy to share their gifts to me to show how much they love and appreciate me.

That doesn’t even begin to describe everything I should say. There’s a lengthy list of everything else Christmas means to me. But as I reflect on this hastily compiled list, it’s easy to see the overwhelming theme: my kids. Seeing them enjoy the beauty and wonder of this season.

I guess that’s Christmas to me.