Christmas with The Egloff's

Our elf on the shelf Sparkle Macy

Tis the season of giving.  Christmas morning Christians celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ, God's ultimate gift to us, His son who would live a perfect life among the people and would be crucified.   I ask the question, how many of you are really discussing the true meaning of this holiday?  I'm not just talking about Christians, but Jews, Mormons, Muslims (which are followers of the Islam religion)?  These religions worship God ,called Ala by the Muslims, yes it is the same God we talk to they just call it something different, yes the same God we as Christians pray to.  But even those who aren't religious there is a special magic in the air that makes us want to be a little nicer. (or become a total crazy "I hate all these people in Wal-Mart at the same time kind of scrooge, but this is my story so we are going the sunshine and rainbows approach...mmmkay?) These special miracles are the reason we give gifts to the ones we love, the reason we put money into the red bucket for the bell ringers, the reason we buy extra toys or clothes for a child in need.

 But today with people falling away from their respective churches they are really forgetting the true meaning of this holiday season.  Parents are going out of control with the number of gifts their children receive, children get the gifts whether they have been good or rotten all year long.  A big fat man in a red suit miraculously flies around the word, delivering presents to deserving boys and girls.  I drank that Kool-Aid too and I gave it to my daughters and Kyran. But we didn't put ALL the focus on Santa, we made sure they new why we celebrated Christmas, how much better it was to give than receive.   They love the magic of Christmas and I loved watching them believe so whole heartedly in someone they have never seen before.  The same way my children believe in God.

My brother, Kris and sister, Beth, and I took it upon ourselves at a young age to buy each other presents.  We would also go in together to get something for our parents (obviously mom and dad helped when we were really little) Sometimes we would make something, other times I'd find and buy the CD Kris was wanting, I would get the body spray Beth was wanting.  We were so excited to give each other our gifts, sometime we could barely wait until Christmas!  I remember shopping and painstakingly selecting THE gift.  I knew I was going to get presents from Santa/my parents but I was more excited about giving the gifts I have selected.

Somehow, I instilled that into my children (Kyran giving the girls their first guns is a long story that I will post a separate blog for ) Anna and Allie asked to start receiving an allowance for the chores and work they do around the house.  Joe and I had been talking about the allowance thing, so we agreed on a price of $5.00 a week.  I have to say it has taken a lot of pressure off of me when I go shopping with the kids because if they want something...they have money. But they used the money they earned to buy gifts for me and their siblings!  Something I would't have expected.

Anna and Allie have bought me gifts, their brother a gift, my dad and Joe.  Some of the items they made, the cast iron skillet we found for Joe I paid for but they girls are over the moon excited.  I got my nails done with some of my girlfriends Monday night before Christmas.  I walk in the door at 9:00 and Allie is jumping up and down about a gift she got for me that she wanted me to open right now.  Afterward Joe told me the wrapping paper was barely on the box and she was talking about giving it to me.

I love this excitement and selflessness they have.   Allie told me in the car Christmas Eve on our way home from Christmas with my parents, that she is super excited about Santa coming and her getting presents but it felt so much better to give the presents.  Allie went on to tell me how she couldn't wait for Kyran to open the gift she picked out for him.  Allie discovered the secret of Santa about 5 months ago, although she was upset at the time, she is overwhelmed with the fact that we went through all the trouble for her. Even though she knew that it was Joe and I were selecting the presents and doing the magic she still wanted us to keep it up thus the reason we have an 'Elf on the Shelf' and why she put out cookies for Mr. and Mrs. Claus.  Christmas Eve in the car she was doing some math, "I can't believe you and dad spend $200 on each kid, that's $600!!! And Mom, let me tell you, all the gifts you picked out all these years were PERFECT, I don't know how you do it"  $200 isn't the amount we spend on each kids, that's just some number she pulled out of her head.  But to hear the appreciation in her voice nearly brought me to tears.  Anna as well, as I tucked her into bed Christmas night she gave me the biggest hug and told me "Thank you Mom, this was the best Christmas ever"

My heart is overflowing especially when Allie recited to me why we give gifts at Christmas "Because God sent His only Son to earth to show us how to live. Then he gave the gift of us life for us. That's why"

What is your Christmas story?