The real blessings.

It's really very easy as a wife and mother to get caught up in the madness that is Christmas.  My thoughts race like a looping marquee -- "Tree decorated?  Presents wrapped?  Groceries bought?  Who did I forget to buy something for?  Does one child have more presents than the other?  3 days-2-days-1 day until relatives arrive!  Ohmygosh, the house is filthy!" -- anyone else's brain on the same channel as mine?  And then you log on to Facebook only to see how Sarah from Smithville or Jill from Jefferson has already done all of the aforementioned things and is presently sitting on the couch sipping diet hot cocoa in her size six designer jeans and admiring the holiday splendor that is her living room all while her well-behaved children lounge in monogrammed pajamas in their pottery barn miniature armchairs.  The self-judgment begins and before you know it, it's December 26 and you can barely remember Christmas because you were so tired from preparing that you nearly slept through the day itself. 

It's a sad, but true cycle that many of us mothers fall into.  And for what?  So we can put photos on our blogs or so we can feel good about ourselves in front of our mother-in-laws? 

I started recollecting about this subject last night when I saw a beautiful video made by some children at St. Jude's Research Hospital.  For those of you who aren't familiar with St. Jude's, it's a children's hospital that never turns a child away because his or her family can't pay.  And not only that, but their cure rates are unbelievable and their research is one of the major reasons that so many strides have been made in the fight against childhood cancer and other diseases. 

Check out the video yourself in a moment.  After watching it, I was struck with a few astounding realizations.

None of this holiday nonsense really matters. 

Sure, having a tree and putting up lights and making Christmas dinner is wonderful and enjoyable, especially when it brings your family together.  And giving gifts, if done in the right spirit, is a noble sentiment.  But honestly, looking into the precious faces of the children featured in this video, I was struck with the idea that any of these children could be my child.  Each one of them is the beloved, hoped-for, and dreamed-about baby of a mom or dad whose only worry and only stress this Christmas is whether or not their son or daughter will be here to celebrate next Christmas with them.  How frivolous and how selfish of me is it to act like my own silly worries are even of the slightest importance?   I'd even go as far as saying that by getting so tied up in the materialism of Christmas, I am dishonoring these children and their parents. 

Please join me, this Christmas, in promising yourself that you'll put down your to-do list and pick up your healthy child.  Then, thank God for that child and the blessings that you have.  The real blessings.  Like good health and unconditional love and food to eat and warm homes to gather in.  And most importantly, don't forget to thank the Lord for the most precious gift of the season -- His son, Jesus, without whom we would have nothing and no hope at all.