Christmas is one of my favorite times of year.  This year was definitely different, but no exception.  You see, this is my first Christmas as a daddy.

Looking back over the year – really, looking back over the decades – I can see how amazingly good God has been to me.  How he’s taken care of me.  How he’s kept me from harm and from evil.  How he’s blessed me with a beautiful wife and baby.  And I can’t imagine a better life.

Today, of all days, I’m reminded of how blessed I am.  Not because of the gifts my friends and family have given me – though I am so thankful for their love and generosity.  But because of the amazing gifts God has given me in this life and in the life to come.

This morning we opened some gifts and had a little breakfast and then headed out to worship.  As I was sitting there in the presence of God and surrounded by my church family, God reminded me of just a few of the kindnesses he’s shown me.

He’s given me an unbelievable wife and an unspeakably cute daughter.  My brother and his family have been so gracious to me over the years and I’m proud to know them.  And, more recently, my sister-in-law and her family – it’s been great to get to know them.  I have an incredible spiritual heritage though my parents and through their parents (and the list goes on).  God has given me a church family that I know and love.  But even before that, I’m blessed beyond measure simply because of the gift of Jesus.

How can I fail to give him honor?!

Glory to God in the highest!
May we have his peace and favor on earth (Luke 2:14, paraphrased)