Simple Christmas idea #5 -- Forgo gifts for family togetherness

Christmas Presence...

Let's face it -- most of us don't really need Christmas gifts. We have more than enough when it comes to stuff. We don't need to spend the $1500 per capita that numerous chambers of commerce say most Canadians spend on Christmas swag. (I don't!) But most of us have family who are far away that we would love to see... so why not use our dollars to be Present to those family members, or to bring them to our Christmas celebrations? Presence, instead of presents!

Of Christmas pageants and good, good news

On Monday evening, most of my family and a few friends enjoyed the L'Arche Edmonton Annual Christmas Pageant. For those who were unable to join us, here's the run-down: it was a wonderful celebration featuring many amazing musicians; a fantastic choir who had everyone in the church singing too; a gentle Mary and a cowboy-hatted Joseph who were extremely attentive to a serene six-month-old baby Jesus as he watched everything with shining eyes; radiant angels in bright white Christmas lights; a rag-tag band of shepherds who danced with excitement; and majestic magi -- one on wheels. I think it's safe to say that the Spirit of Christmas took hold of everyone in the building.

As I watched the holy family cuddle together under the star, I couldn't help but feel that everyone present was seeing a more realistic portrayal of Christmas than any you see on Christmas cards or in movies. Jesus came in a simple, humble way to spend his life with simple, humble people, and to call us all to simplicity and humility in our relationships with each other and with God.

In L’Arche, God’s love and acceptance of everyone -- with and without disabilities -- makes Jesus’ presence real, and not just at Christmas.

If it was your last Christmas...

What would you do differently if you knew that this was to be your last Christmas on this side of the grass? What would be most important in your comings, goings and doings? What would you leave by the wayside?

I just paid a visit to two of my favourite people, the neighbours we had before we moved to our present home. They are getting up there in age, and have had various health issues over the last few years, so when I pop in on them for a visit, I'm never quite sure what I'll find. Today, I received some sad news. While both of them are quite accepting of how things are, they told me that he has colon cancer, and is choosing not to continue treatment.

"I'm eighty-nine, and I've never been sick until now. I think I've had a pretty good run," he said, philosophical as ever. He's not as strong as he used to be. Radiation was hard work, and he has no way of knowing that chemo will make any difference to the length or quality of his days left. I think he is wise to try to live what's left as fully as possible without spending hours and days at appointments.

It makes me really sad (here I stop and cry for a few minutes because I love him) but it is also a gift, in a way, to know that he views his life as being rich and full. I am also gifted by the awareness he gives me of the wonder and beauty of special friends that touch our lives. And by the way he presents the fact of the matter: not one of us knows for certain that this isn't our last Christmas on earth. Something could happen to take me from this life I love before my friend leaves it. It's not something anyone wants to think about, but it is true.

So the gift my friend gives me today is this pause to consider... If this was to be my last Christmas, what should be most important? Certainly not presents. Decorations? Bah. Making perfect Christmas cookies? Hardly. More certainly, it's PRESENCE with the people I love, how I connect with them, and the legacy of memories that will be created.

What's most important to you this Christmas?