Merry Christmas

What really matters

Image created on Midjourney

A hotel was the last place Phil had expected to spend Christmas. He looked at Becky and the meager offering of presents for the children. They’d done their best to make it festive, even buying a string of lights and a few baubles they had hung around the room, but somehow, Christmas felt empty this year.

The fire last week had destroyed everything. Their entire lives had been in that house. Now they would have to start from scratch. Thank God they had insurance. Their hotel was paid for, and they had already started looking for a place to rent while their house was being rebuilt. But that was going to take months.

In the meantime, they would have to make do. They’d been invited to a friend’s home for dinner tonight, so at least they wouldn’t have to eat another hotel meal. He was grateful for that.

Marcia’s eyes opened, sleepily at first, then they went wide as she saw the Christmas lights shining from where Becky had tried to make some semblance of a tree on the wall above the dresser.

“Daddy, look!” Marcia shouted, bouncing on the bed and waking her brother up.

Chad, only three, sat transfixed by the sight of the small pile of presents on top of the dresser. “Santa found us,” he breathed, as if he hadn’t believed it possible.

Phil choked up as Marcia added, “This is the best Christmas ever.”

He realized in that moment that his daughter was right. No one had been hurt in the fire. What they had lost was only things. This was what mattered—his family. They were here; they were together.

Tears of gratitude pooled in his eyes as he said, “You’re right, sweetheart. This is the best Christmas ever.”

Phil picked up a child in each arm and carried them closer to their makeshift tree as Becky reached for a gift for each. Suddenly, today had become a very merry Christmas.

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On this Christmas day, let’s all reflect on what really matters. There was a time when our tree had an embarrassing number of presents under it. I’ve come to appreciate Christmas much differently over these last many years. We don’t exchange presents anymore. We share our time together, eat good food, and enjoy the day without the pressure of presents.

I’m not saying others shouldn’t share gifts, only that it’s not important to me anymore. I do buy for my grandsons. Somehow, Christmas feels more meaningful to me this way, and I enjoy the day (and the season) much more.

However you celebrate (if you celebrate), Have a very Merry Christmas!