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    December 25, 2010 - Comments (5)

    I hope you had an awesome Christmas Day. We had a special time at a Christmas Eve candle light service, and then I had some gifts to wrap… Watched “It’s a Wonderful Life,” for the thirtieth time, and called it a night. Today was so much fun. Watching my little girls open their gifts is such joy. The only challenge was trying to slow Lulu down! She was on record pace for a while there.
    But before we opened gifts this morning, I carried on a tradition that my father started when I was a kid. He used to stop my brothers and I before we opened gifts and we would open the Bible and read the Christmas story from Luke about the birth of Jesus. As a kid, I used to think my dad was just trying to drive us crazy, stalling because he knew how much we wanted to open those gifts… But now that I’m an adult, I know exactly what Dad was doing. He was bringing us back. Back to the point. Back to the heart of it all. Back to the reason why we were even celebrating this thing called Christmas to begin with. Jesus.
    This morning, I carried that tradition on, making my little girls squirm as they tried their hardest to be patient while I read about the birth of Jesus. And while right now, Lulu may not understand why I’m doing this (like I didn’t,) someday she will. And she’ll be thankful that Dad brought her back. Back to the heart of it all. Back to the reason.
    I pray that at some point this Christmas, you too, have taken a step back. Maybe you’re reading this tonight, and you’re thinking, ‘where has the day gone?’ Perhaps, you’ve just been surrounded by family and friends, and wrapping paper and food, and haven’t had a moment to step back and think about the reason for Christmas. I hope you get that chance, maybe right now as you read this, just to step back, remember how much you are loved and give thanks for greatest gift of all, the birth of a Savior.
    Merry Christmas.

    PS- Yes, I did dress up as Santa… And yes, I ate the cookies… But if you tell anyone, I’ll deny it.

    matthew POSTED BY:
    matthew

    • 5 comments

    1. 1. Nora Kahal commented:

      Sat 25/12/10, 7:45 pm

      That is amazing Matthew. What a wonderful dad you are to your children! I think it is important to tell your children about the purpose of Christmas. I love your music. Keep up the good work! Your music and you are an inspirtation to us all.

    2. 2. Sandra van den Berg commented:

      Sun 26/12/10, 12:58 am

      Hi Matthew, I live in Holland and here we selebrate Christmas differently.
      We have a Sint Nicolas but he comes to Holland to selebrate is bithday on december 6. He give gifts like you Santa does. But he lives in Spain and not the Northpool.
      So Christmas is all about Jesus. Unfortunately Christmas has become a holiday of giving gifts also. So people forget the meaning of Chirstmas, our best gift ever, our Saviors birth.
      Keep up the good work, God bless you.

    3. 3. Shona Davis commented:

      Sun 26/12/10, 4:31 pm

      Thanks Matthew for being an inspiration; what you do is honorable to God. Your girls will definitely look back on their CHRISTmas’ and appreciate the one true “gift” of CHRISTmas, “Our Savior”. May the Lord continue to use you for His purpose, and I pray that you will always be willing to serve. God Bless you & your family during the New Year and always!

    4. 4. Ruby Adame commented:

      Sun 26/12/10, 8:05 pm

      merry christmas matthew west, and a happyy new year. god bless!!
      my birthday is dec.27 im going to be 16. thank you jesus :) i will pray for you and your family.
      if you need prayer you can tell me to pray for you and if i need prayer i’ll tell you. And my grandma and grandpa have a church. they tell my about god all the time im so lucky that i have family and friends that love me…we love you brother, god bless you and be safe. “HAPPY HOLIDAYS” =) love your music.

    5. 5. Felicia Berry commented:

      Mon 27/12/10, 5:01 am

      Thanks so much for your encouraging words. Our tradition with our girls (3 5 6) is to bake a cake on Christmas Eve and on Christmas morning we wake up and sing Happy Birthday to Jesus and then head to the family room and read the story of Jesus’ birth from Luke. We pray and thank God for our blessings and then do gifts after that. Like you said, its hard on young children who just want to rip into the gifts. They will thanks us later for taking the time to remember that Jesus’ birth is the real reason for the season. Too many forget why all this is possible, without God, we would be nothing.

      Lord, I pray for the West family, in the coming year I pray for your richest blessing for each of them, Matthew, Emily, Lulu and little Delaney. Please give them the strength to over come any hardships they face, give them open ears to hear your word and open hearts to do your work. Lod I pray you continue to be with Matthew and his band while writting songs, while on tour, Lord just keep them safe and healthy, Lord be with Emily and their precious daughters while he is away, give Emily strength to do the things she does while Matthew is out on the road, Lord we give you praise thanks for all you do for us its in your precious son Jesus’ name, Amen.

      Matthew thank you for such amazing music, it encourages me everyday. See you soon on your next tour.
      God Bless,
      Felicia Berry

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