Families have some interesting traditions for Christmas. I knew of one family that always ate Chinese food on Christmas Eve. My grandmother fixed sausage gravy on toast for Christmas brunch. Some years, it seemed I put away my own weight in sausage links. Other families go out and cut down a tree a few days before Christmas and bring it home rather than put it up Thanksgiving weekend.

There are other traditions that are more meaningful, like picking out new ornaments or delivering boxes of food or clothes to those who need them. For me, writing the Christmas letter has become a tradition I both enjoy and dread. There's just so much you can fit on a page or two. This year, I didn't even try and put out 4 pages in 8 pt font. I don't think people will appreciate me doing that every year, but this year was an exception. We've had a lot going on. We started a home group. We ministered to not one but two families in the group who lost children this year. We suffered a layoff. We missed a "big trip" that we like to take every year to exotic locations like Durango or Glenwood Springs, both in-state.

I have so many more desires for my family. I want to take them to Disneyland. I want to show them the Grand Canyon. I dream of showing them the ocean for the first time and playing on the beach in the sand. I want them to experience the beauty of creation while they still embrace the wonder of it. I want to point to sequoias and say, "Can you believe God made that?"

On the other hand, I've been reminded numerous times what a blessing it is to just be together as a family. My heart aches for those with an empty seat at the table. I am so grateful this year that my children are healthy at home. Someday, maybe soon, we'll take one of those trips. For now, just having four other sets of arms around me is the best thing in the world.

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