did you win christmas

Did you ever want to win Christmas? We playfully argue about this all the time in our house. We try to determine who will give the best, most meaningful Christmas gift each year. If you were in our kitchen weeks before Christmas, you would hear this banter.

I won Christmas!

No, I definitely won Christmas.

No, I won Christmas!

No, no, he’s right. He’s definitely right. He won Christmas.

Well, we’ll see.

My husband Bryce was the very first one to win Christmas 22 years ago. It was just the two of us and he gave me a box called Jody’s Entitlement Box. It was filled with slips of paper for fun things like him doing the dishes without complaining or watching a movie of my choice. But, he won Christmas with the very last little slip of paper. It said, “a baby whenever you want it.” This was huge. We had argued about the timing of having children for several months. It seemed like a no win situation. But then with this little slip of paper, we both won.

Jody’s Entitlement Box

When I reflect on why he won Christmas that year, it has less to do with the gift and so much more to do with the heart of the giver. Every year, we aim to give someone the perfect gift they will love and cherish. The gift that shows them they are important to us. The gift that will make a memory and mean something.

Everytime we win Christmas, we really are victorious. In our desire to win we focus on the needs and desires of others. We step away from ourselves to bring someone else pleasure and joy. Sometimes we do it with a little slip of paper and sometimes we do it with an expensive purchase, but when we do, our hearts align a little more with God’s desires. And when this happens, we all truly win.

How’s your heart? Did you win Christmas this year?

Searching for wisdom and asking for grace,

Jody