Is there one Christmas memory that you cherish?  One celebration, simple or over-the-top, that comes to mind whenever the holidays start moving closer on the calendar?  I have snippets of Christmas memories; a highlight reel over the years of memorable holiday activities.

The one most recent coming to mind would be the year Bonnie came into our family.  My siblings and I had cats throughout our childhood.  We loved having fur babies.  I recall several conversations around getting a dog.  I never thought it would happen.  Then that Christmas came when my dad carried this squirming pup into the midst of our Christmas remnants.  There she was – a wiggling white and copper brown, tail-wagging, silky eared dream!  I think all of the kids were in shock that mom and dad consented to a new addition, but it didn’t take long to settle into welcoming her into the family.  After a quick discussion of name possibilities, Bonheur was christened.  It’s French for happiness.  Her name quickly morphed into Bonnie and she rapidly settled into her role as the center of attention. Bonnie was part of many Christmases to follow.

 There are countless other Christmases with precious memories.  Have you ever thought, none of them would have happened had the one Christmas never occurred?   Bethlehem, so many years ago, was the place of Christ’s birth. While current conflict continues in nearby areas, it’s difficult to imagine Jesus’ birth quietly took place in a humble barn-like structure in the same region.  One Christmas made all the difference.  Hundreds of years later, that one Christmas continues to impact our lives with hope.  Hope for new beginnings.  Hope for forgiveness.  Hope for redemption.  Hope for an eternity of peace and reconciliation.

This holiday, while your family or friends gather, consider being part of the hope of the original Christmas.  Choose to reach out to others in your neighborhood, at your workplace, in your family.  Include those who may be overlooked in your preparations.  Enlarge your circle and be a memory-maker.  Perhaps, those you embrace in your celebration will share someday about that one Christmas.