I remember the day when I used to have the means to buy all my god-children and loved ones gifts as we come together for Christmas. I love seeing the glow in their eyes and all the excitement unwrapping boxes to see what’s inside. Besides, what is Christmas without gift-giving, right?
Being away from home this Christmas is somewhat torturing, seeing all the photos in social media, knowing I can’t be there to enjoy and embrace the people I love. I won’t be able to eat mom’s Crispy Pata (pork knuckles) and Morcon. I will miss my cousins–going out for some midnight pizza, spending sleepless night to play cards. I will miss watching a movie on Christmas day with the family and eating all the food until you can’t button your pants. So much for the sacrifices pursuing God’s call but I know it’s all worth it.
With all the Christmases I’ve spent back home, it wasn’t the gift-giving that made an impact in my heart. It was actually the time spent with the people I love. I can’t even remember what gifts I gave or received last year (sorry). But what I can recall were the fun moments we shared together. This made me realize what really matters in Christmas. It’s not about the gifts wrapped in papers, rather the memories we try to unfold as we spend time with our loved ones. Being able to cherish the people around us is a blessing itself. This is such a great reminder that we should grab every opportunity we could get until we have the means to do so. Time spent with our loved ones is one of the greatest gifts we could ever give and receive this season.
I am grateful that I can always look back to those moments with my parents, relatives, and friends back home, for the fun times we shared. Knowing that I can’t be home for Christmas this year, I’m taking it as an opportunity to create new memories with my family here in Sweden. I am grateful to experience this season in a brand new way this year. And as long as I have the love of Christ in my heart and the memories I have with my family back home, Christmas is alive and well in me. I have everything to be thankful for.
No matter how you are celebrating it today, remember that it’s all about Jesus. We won’t have Christmas if it weren’t for the sacrifice Christ did. He chose to come down as a baby in a manger to save humanity. He left His heavenly life so that we can have a taste of heaven while we are here on earth. He wants us to experience the real meaning of Love and enjoy this season.
You may not have everything you want, you may not be able to receive the gifts you want to get, you have experienced loss, or feeling all alone and lonely, but do know that you are the reason for this season. You are the reason why Christ Jesus came. He had you in His mind right before He was born. He wants you to have life to the fullest. He loves you and He’s all you need to make this season meaningful. Expect miracles and blessings from God–the Great Rewarder. He loves you so much that He created Christmas as a season we can celebrate all together.
Be of good cheer and have a Merry Christmas!
Sincerely,
Abby Bern 
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