What I Remember About Christmas as a Child

Do you know what I remember about Christmas as a child?

I remember baking cookies and eating a ton of Grandma’s almond roca.

I remember Christmas at Nana and Papa’s house where every room in the house had a card table set up because there were that many mouths to feed. A house full of family (a big family of nine kids) and full of love. 

I remember Christmas Eve service at church with all of the Christmas trees on display and the singing of “Joy to the World.”  

I remember driving around to look at Christmas lights and caroling around the neighborhood. 

I remember Mom’s Christmas village all around the tree and her fancy Nativity sitting on the console table. These things were “look but don’t touch,” and yet, they still created such magic to me as a kid. 

I remember seeing the Live Nativity and being in awe of how they could stand there in the cold for so long, but also in awe of the wonder of a baby laid in a manger. 

I can only tell you two toys that I got–out of all the Christmas’ I had as a child–I can only recall two gifts from “Santa.” (And, Mom, if you’re reading this it’s the Fisher-Price washer and dryer, and some Barbie doll.) 

Two toys–that’s it. I know I received way more than that throughout my childhood and Mom always threw in a pair of pajamas as well. But I can’t name any of that stuff to you. 

What I remember most: the memories. 

The experiences and moments that we shared as a family. 

The story of the Nativity and Jesus’ birth. 

And the love. 

So, if you’re struggling with the lack of “stuff” under the tree or you’re striving to make this the most memorable Christmas ever for your kids, that’s all you need. 

Love. 

Memories.

And Jesus.