• Joy

    December 26, 2007 - Comments (5)

    What an amazing day! I woke to the not so subtle request of my daughter shouting from her crib, “Daddy, I want up NOW!” Somehow, a demand never sounded so sweet. So, armed with a fully charged video camera, my wife and I began our Christmas day.

    My parents flew to Nashville from Chicago mid-morning, and after a quick trip to and from the airport, Nanny and Poppy were reunited with their granddaughter. And the spoiling began… The amount of gifts given and received in our living room was a sight to see. I am quite sure it exceeded some sort of legal limit, or maybe a zoning violation.

    And if the mountain of gifts didn’t quite stretch from floor to ceiling, the wealth of wrapping paper and boxes piled a mile high, and at one point I think I had to pull one of the kids out from an avalanche of green and red.

    My two brothers, their wives, and kids arrived mid-afternoon filling the house with laughter, and poopy diapers. To see three little ones, all within 7 months of each other in age ripping through presents was so much fun. And as I had been warned by many parents ahead of me, it turned out to be true that Lulu would be more interested in the box or the bubble tape, than the actual gift itself. Such is life.

    My wife made an incredible meal, turkey, ham, and a table full of goodness. (I handled the carving of the turkey (and the eating of it…) Together we laughed and ate, and celebrated this wonderful holiday as a family. Three generations together at the same table. For that, I am so grateful this Christmas.

    And tonight, all is quiet. Lulu is on her way to dream about how Santa came to visit her house, (or was it daddy in a recently purchased Claus costume?) Tonight, I want to savor what just happened. Tonight, I want thinking about how what a beautiful experience it is when laughter and joy fill a house. Tonight I am aware that the Giver of Joy unspeakable is the reason we were gathered today. Today I remember the humble birth of a savior, and I myself am humbled by such a sacrifice.

    Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night.

    -mw

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    Matthew West POSTED BY:
    Matthew West

    • 5 comments

    1. 1. ganns commented:

      Wed 26/12/07, 4:26 pm

      Happy HolyDays, Matthew! I pray the world opens its eyes and ears to what you have to say in 2008.

    2. 2. Sabrina commented:

      Mon 31/12/07, 11:22 am

      Your little girl is adorable!
      I just found out today about everything you’ve gone through with the surgery on your vocal chords, and you should know that it really inspired me to trust God with my college-choice decision. If you can trust that God knows what He’s doing when it seems like He’s taking away the gift He gave you, then I can trust that God will show me what college He wants me to go to. :) Thanks for being an inspiration!

    3. 3. teia commented:

      Tue 1/1/08, 12:39 pm

      hey. a couple of months ago i lost my voice for the first time. my whole life i’ve wondered what it would be like to lose something i use daily. and i hope that i never have to go through it again. my friends didnt understand me. i couldn’t sing during choir.
      everyone looked at me and thought everything was fine but then when i tried to speak and nothing came out they were all saying “TEIA!?! what happened?” of course i couldn’t tell them.
      those few weeks gave me lots of time to reflect and think and listen. i really hope i don’t have to go through that again.
      i am so thankful that God gave YOU to everyone here. you voiced what we all need to when we can’t say what means the most important to us.
      i also found that when i couldn’t talk is when i wanted to talk the most. and share everything with the people i love. :)
      PRAYING FOR YOU during these days.
      im soooo excited for your new cd!
      ♥teia

    4. 4. P.Bowles commented:

      Sat 8/3/08, 4:26 pm

      Mathew I totally disagree with the Santa deal we are Christians or “suppose” to be anyway…my nine year old is one of your biggest fans, as a matter of fact we are going to be in Fairfax,Va. this week March 13,2008 just to see you! It was meant to be all about Toby Mac and was a Christmas gift that we have long awaited.Getting back to Santa…we as Gods people have got to let go of traditions if we expect to truly please him.We must show the world that we are different.That we are true followers of Christ at “all” times especially “Christ”mas

    5. 5. P.Bowles commented:

      Sat 8/3/08, 4:33 pm

      P.S.
      Same goes for Easter people of God.Lets give the world something to see.It is not enough to have something to say.

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