Reflections On Christmas

Special Edition
It was a very different Christmas at the Dotson house this year.

We have four boys; two married, one in China, and one still in college. In past years, Christmas morning consisted of the boys having to be jostled out of bed to come downstairs to see what was under the tree for them. (When my brother and I were little, our parents couldn't keep us in bed!) Not so this year.

With the two married boys at home celebrating with their own families and son #3 in China, it was just Mom and me and son #4 who was sleeping pretty soundly. So the wife and I headed off to the house of grandson #1, (son #2 & wife). We had some gifts for them and spent and hour or so there.

Then we headed across town to grandaughter #1 and grandson #2, (son #1 & wife) and spent some time with them. Pretty neat stuff! At around 1:00 P.M., we arrived home to find son #4 still asleep! So we hollered for him to come down and we opened our Christmas gifts while I took pictures of everything. It took about 15 minutes. A far cry from the way it used to be. And, you know, it was sorta sad. Things are changing.

Later in the day, son #1 and #2 came over with their gifts for us and we went through it all again. We had a house full then, like in the old days, with little kids running around full of excitement. We all agreed we had spent too much and vowed to do something different next year. In 2007, son #3 will be home for Christmas and we'll have all four boys, wives, grandkids and everyone all together again. Family is a good thing.

It reminds me, however, that many families haven't been so blessed as the Dotsons are and we need to remember them. Sure, we donate to several charaties, buy Angel Tree angels, and help out wherever we can but there must be more.

Jesus is the best gift anyone could receive and He can be given all year long! Let us think about our fellow man all during the year and do more to give the gift of Jesus and His love. Here's wishing you and yours a prosperous, healthy, safe and blessed 2007.