CHRISTMAS BIRTHDAYS

Our family has five birthdays in December. One is on December 13th. The other four happen right at Christmas time, on the 23rd, 24th, 25th, and 26th.

The celebration of Christmas and birthdays presents a unique challenge every year. And every year, I make a daily decision, sometimes even hourly, not to be overwhelmed. We’ve tried different options throughout the years, but nobody is content with an early birthday celebration. Thankfully, my husband, whose birthday falls on Christmas day and our daughter, the day after, are both easy-going individuals who don’t mind sharing and don’t meltdown if candles go missing off their joint birthday cake. And our oldest granddaughter’s birthday, on the 24th, is nestled between her two grandpa’s birthdays. Nobody but God could have arranged that one. Another granddaughter whom we thought would be a November baby, came late to us, but right on time in God’s eyes.

What I have learned is cultivating a thankful heart is a much better way to approach the holidays than throwing a pity-party. When I remember to be grateful for these special people in my life, the extra shopping and preparations aren’t a big deal. I have to ask the Lord to help me with a “get ‘er done” attitude, because procrastination doesn’t help either.

But most of all, I need help not to forget the reason Christmas is special. And truly, I’m so thankful that Jesus Christ came. He did for us what we couldn’t do for ourselves. He saved us from eternal separation from God. Forever.

When I remember His precious love and care for me, that He truly paid my ransom in full, the added birthdays just seem like more grace and blessing. That’s the worthy thought I hang on to  throughout the season.

Guest post by Mary Pat Johns
Faith-filled Stories of Hope and Redemption

marypatjohns.com

To leave a comment, please click on the above words, CHRISTMAS BIRTHDAYS, and leave a message.  Thank  you!  🙂

 

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MARY PAT JOHNS
4 years ago
Reply to  Patti Shene

I knew two sisters who were polar opposites but born on the same day. Who knew? God has a great sense of humor.

MARY PAT JOHNS
4 years ago
Reply to  Gwen Gage

It’s fun how birthday clusters work. My mom and I are Aug 9th and 10th. My daughter and her daughter are Dec 24 & 26th. Makes it easy to remember ages!

MARY PAT JOHNS
4 years ago
Reply to  Gwen Gage

Yes, our son has a birthday in January right around the Super Bowl. We have a birthday dinner for him. I always think of Roe vs Wade at that time because it’s so close to his birthday. God has a much better idea than abortion–life in all its imperfection is so much better than death!

MARY PAT JOHNS
4 years ago
Reply to  Kathy McKinsey

Actually, it went smoother this year than in years past. It’s just what we do. And it helped a lot that there was one planned birthday party.

Kathy McKinsey
4 years ago

Oh, you’re in the midst of it now.:) Happy days!:)

Dave
Dave
4 years ago

Ha! A grouping of birthdays like no other.
Mine’s on January 7, so I never had a party and never thought anything of it. But my wife organized a party with our friends on my 40th.

Gwen Gage
4 years ago

Wow, what a blessing to have so many birthdays around Christmas! I love it, and can only imagine how festive and fun Christmas is at your house. 🙂 We have a cluster of August and September birthdays in our family. It’s amazing how that works out. My grandpa and I had April birthdays.

Patti Shene
4 years ago

Hi Mary Pat. My husband’s birthday fell right before Christmas on the 19th. He wasn’t one to “want” for a lot of gifts, but I always felt that no matter how hard we tried, he somehow got kind of cheated out of gifts! Interesting family fact: His sister, a few years younger, was born on the same day as he!

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

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