"Presents, Presents Everywhere"

        One sign of evidence that Christmas took place at my home is one that I am certain that you have as well. Sacks and sacks of discarded Christmas paper and boxes which once held an assortment of presents, now fill my garage awaiting the garbage man to haul them away. But the best present I got this year didn't come wrapped in any shiny paper. It wasn't bought at in a Mall or Box store. Nor was it purchased on-line. As a matter of fact the cost of this gift was me simply taking the time out of my day to allow this gift to come forth. 
   It was now Saturday afternoon, December 22nd, lunch as over and four sets of little eyes looked up at me and said, "Now can we play in the snow, Grandpa?" So the girls got everyone bundled up, almost to the point to where the two littlest ones could hardly walk. Off we went to the front yard, a 3,4,6, 8 and 55 year old. Yup just me in a snow ball fight against four much faster snow ball makers and throwers then I. When that ended we built a Snowman, sort of! The snow would not roll into a ball so instead we stacked one big chuck of snow/ice on top of another. After several failed attempts to keep the chucks from sliding off, we finally got our snow creature together. After a picture or two were taken my oldest, Ty then laid a perfect form tackle on our Frosty look alike sending him back to the ground from which he had come from. Now it was sledding time. We went to the deck in the backyard. The snow was packed hard upon the steps of the deck creating a perfect sled run for these future Olyimpic sledders. Ty & Emma of course had to see who could go the farthest with each new turn they took. While Chase and Drew always slid together hoping to tip over face first into the wintry white stuff! And there you have it! This Grandpa's Christmas gift! There are times when I am not the Grandpa that I want and should be for my four little ones that God has blessed me with. But on this Saturday before Christmas, my present came early as I listened to the laughter of my little ones and them simply asking, "Grandpa, can we go again!" It doesn't get any better then that!
     Thank You Jesus!
         So what memory did you make this year at Christmas that was your favorite Christmas present?
Have a Blessed and Joy Filled New Year in Christ! Pastor Rick Koch - Dutchtown