Sometimes it takes the wisdom of a 2-year-old
to remind us of what Christmas and life are all about.
It was the day after Christmas 19 years ago.
I was a struggling substitute teacher who had barely
earned enough to pay the rent and electric bills for
our tiny apartment that month. The only gifts my wife
and I could afford for our children were a few
stuffed animals.
I put my kids to bed that night and wearily walked
back into the living room. I was sad about not being
able to give them a better Christmas. Suddenly,
I heard a giggle. I walked back into their bedroom
and my foot stepped on one of those stuffed animals.
A second giggle came from within the big cardboard
box that held their toys. I peeked over the top of it.
My 2-year-old daughter had dragged her 5-year-old brother
into the box to hide from Daddy. I gently stepped over
the toys they had emptied out to make room for themselves,
leaned down and tickled my little girl. She squealed with
delight and wrapped her arms around my neck. I smiled and
gave her a big kiss on the cheek. I hugged her and her
brother and then put them back to bed. Gazing down at them,
I realized that Love was the only Christmas gift we needed.
Looking back on that time reminds me of what Christmas is
all about. It isn't about how expensive the gifts we give
and receive are. It is rather about the birth of another
special child some two thousand years ago. This child would
grow up to teach us all how to love each other. He would
give us all so much joy. He would show us all how to face
the trials of this life with faith and hope while preparing
our souls for the greater life to come.
May we all embrace the wisdom of this special child.
May we all fill this Christmas with hugs, kisses,
laughter, and joy. And may we all spend all of our days
here on Earth sharing God's greatest gift: LOVE! ! !
A special thanks to Joseph J. Mazzella for use of his
© stories. You may contact Joseph by email to
thank him. God bless you my Brother-In-Christ.
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