Unpacking my faith

It's that time again. Time to make my way to the corner of the garage, haul multiple boxes to my den all to unpack my Christmas ornaments and festive items. I confess, I haven't been the atypical Christmas decorator. In fact, last year I finally put my tree up two days before Christmas. Some would say it was my childhood. Dad and mom would wait a week or so before Christmas and then go on their only date night for the year and come back with a truck full of gifts. Or, they would conveniently hide them in all too familiar places.I found my first sparkly blue banana seat bike behind drywall in our garage weeks before the big day. It nearly killed me knowing it was there, and again later when I convinced myself I could let go of the handle bars. (that's another story) I suppose the gig was up early for me. What I do remember with great fondness is lying in bed late at night trying to hear the hoofs of the reindeer on the roof. It was magical. If we really cherished Christmas for the real reason for the season many of us would not have to "unpack our faith." It wouldn't get shoved in a box, in the corner of the garage or misplaced with the tote full of miscellaneous garage items. We wouldn't get discouraged at broken lights because we would know the true "light." The real light to our feet is our Lord and Savior. I have no one to blame for my Christmas decorating malaise. Perhaps it is because I do celebrate the birth of Jesus that everything else pails in comparison. The only thing I marvel at now late at night on Christmas eve is the thought of Mary, Joseph, a stable of farm animals and the sweetest gift on earth. Unpacking my faith continues to be the most important thing in my life. Have you unpacked yours?