If you are like me, you have many “sayings” that stick in your mind which you have heard a multitude of times from people older than you. Most of these sayings I really didn’t understand at the time they were said, but as I got older and the perils of wisdom recurrently echoed in my mind, I then understood why these were quoted. Sayings from my father such as, “You know son, the older you get the smarter I get.” Or “When people compliment you, don’t believe everything they say. Take what is profitable and forget the rest. And when people criticize you don’t believe everything they say. Take what is profitable and forget the rest.” Or my all-time father saying, “This too shall pass.”

There was one saying that I heard from so many different elders around Christmas time that caused me to think they only had one rocker on their rocking chair. I remember hearing; “You know it is really just good to have the kids home for Christmas!” As a youth I could not understand that the only thing “old people” wanted for Christmas was time with their kids and grandkids? Are you kidding me? How could you not have a list of desires, not all have to be material needs, and hope that you would at least get one of your top five? The food and parties were a whole lot more exciting than having kids around.

It will probably not be a surprise that I now am that person! Even before grandchildren, which by the way is not even close on the “wonderful meter” compared to having children, I found myself saying that the thing which makes my Christmas celebration most special is celebrating with my wife and children. I really can do without much of the accouterments as long as time with my loved ones happens. And the motivation for decorating, present purchasing and wrapping, sumptuous cooking, and late game nights really comes down to enjoying time with our dear ones. The gift giving is a way to honor the gifts that were given Jesus, Mary, and Joseph in Bethlehem. But it also is an opportunity to be intentional and show a sense of love and care to our families. The price of a present is not the most important thing. Intentionality, effort, and thoughtfulness far outweigh money in gift giving. This effort really enhances the intimacy of a relationship and hence is so worth the investment.

The reason it is so good to have the kids home for the Holidays is because we were designed to live in relationship with others. As a matter of fact the reason Jesus came to earth as Immanuel is so that we as sinful humans can have a relationship with a Holy God. The unfathomable concept that a Holy God would desire to have a relationship with sinful humans is best attempted to be understood by the love a parent has for their child. We understand God much better when we have experience in relationships with children and parents. No matter what side of this relationship you are on, the example gives you a point of reference with which we view God. I have heard it said that a child’s relationship with their father is one of the strongest examples for their life-long view of God. But I am fully aware of many grownups who had a difficult relationship with their earthly father only to realize that they can meet this need in their relationship with a loving Heavenly Father. Often they appreciate this relationship even more because of the absence they had in their patriarchal relationship on earth.

No matter your current familial situation, be intentional with your relationships, especially during Christmas. Invest in those you love, and in that, realize the love God has for you! Remember Psalm 127:3 tells us, “Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb a reward.” Whether they are our biological children or not, each of us is called to have relationships with an eternal perspective. So ask yourself, what is the status of the Christian heritage you are raising? But more importantly, what intentional steps are you taking to raise up a Christian heritage for the Lord’s glory? It is not too late to be intentional this Christmas! Think, pray, dream, and enjoy. For it really truly is so good to have the kids home for the Holidays!