All I Want for Christmas: One & Five

I don’t know about you, but there are times my kids teach me far more than I could ever teach them.  Usually they are life lessons that hit me right between the eyes.

Unpacking Christmas boxes has been a week-long process at our house.  We have been trying to put up decorations along the way in-between the busyness of life.  (Either I’m too busy or have way too many decorations . . . maybe some of both?!?)

One particular night, however, we were all at home when Addison (my 4 year-old) began unwrapping decorations to place on “his” tree in his room.  He had placed several ornaments on his tree when all at once, he uncovered a special ornament and eagerly exclaimed, ”Mommy, look at this one!” He held up an ornament for me to see as if it were the first time I’d ever seen it before.  It was a nativity ornament—one that we’d had for years.  He excitedly proclaimed, “I want this one for my tree!”  It was a small gold ornament that, when placed over a Christmas light, would illuminate the whole nativity scene. 

After placing the ornament close to the top of his small tree, he stated, “That is 'the One!'” Deciding that no other ornaments were needed, he began taking off everything but the one ornament.  When he finished, he exclaimed again,  “That is the One!”  Wow!  He got it!  Jesus is the One—the whole reason we celebrate!

A few nights later, I was lying down with Addison at bedtime (much later than I preferred).  I resolutely told him, “Mommy will lie with down with you for five minutes.”  With that announcement he began jabbering ninety miles an hour trying to keep himself awake.  About four minutes into his nonsensical chattering, I reminded him that my five minutes was about up.  He snuggled under the covers with me and wrapped his arms around my neck and begged, “Please just stay five more minutes, please.”  Before I could respond, he began singing,

All I want for Christmas
Is five min-utes,
Five min-utes,
Five min-utes.

I thoughtfully replied, “Really, is that all you want?”  He shook his head, snuggled closer and said, “Yes.”  Tears welled up in my eyes and I warmly responded, “Then I’ll stay.”  He was asleep in less than two minutes. 

And in those few extra minutes I got it! He reminded me of the two most important things at Christmastime: Jesus—“the One” who it’s all about, and five minutes—what most people really want and need for Christmas—someone to really listen to them.

So as you are hustling and bustling around this Christmas season, maybe you need to be reminded that all we need for Christmas is “the One,” and five minutes!

All of us at Mom and Loving It Ministries
would like to wish you and yours
a very Merry CHRISTmas!

Laurie

PS  Thank you for giving us your 5 minutes by keeping up with us through our blog, Twitter, Facebook, and these Mom-e-Moments!

PPS  Here's a little pictorial present for you!

The Autrys
Brittlea (13), Davis (7), Pat, Crislynn (9), Sharon

The Hilliards
Addison (4), Charles, Abby (12), Laurie, Avery (9), Alec (15)