My Family’s Christmas
Mom and Dad are now in heaven. When I was a child, Christmas was a big deal in our home. Mom and Dad loved Christmas. Therefore, I loved Christmas and still love it today.
My Christmas experience growing up
I can still remember coming down the stairs as a child to see Santa Claus had brought our presents. Even as I write this, I can still see it. As time went on, our tradition was comprised of: Always having lights inside and outside, having a big, real Christmas tree, and opening our presents on Christmas Eve.
Mom and Dad were very generous at Christmas, not only to us, but to others. Once we grew up and began having children, and then our children began having children, Mom and Dad kept on insuring that everyone had presents. In fact, even after Dad died, Mom continued working and she always stated, “I continue working so I can give my children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren birthday gifts and Christmas gifts.”
As we opened our gifts on Christmas Eve and celebrated as a family, we always knew that Christmas Day, we would leave my hometown and drive twenty-five miles to Gonzales, Texas. In Gonzales, we would celebrate Christmas Day with my Dad’s family.
Our Christmas Day celebration with my Dad’s family was like clockwork. We would arrive around 11 a.m. and eat lunch with family, followed by opening of gifts. Then, we would take a drive with the men, visiting the various chicken houses my uncles and others had. Imagine me as a child, sitting in the very back of a Suburban, riding around looking at chicken houses! We would return to the house for dessert, and leave for home before dark.
Our Christmas today
Today, our family Christmas has a few of the same things I had growing up. We have lots of lights both inside and outside, beautiful trees, and yes, we give gifts to one another. So how does all that go down?
We started having Christmas Eve services many years ago. I love Christmas Eve services and usually conduct two to three each year. Yes, they do challenge the day, but they are worth it. There is something about insuring the Lord gets His rightful worship on Christmas Eve. I especially love it when Christmas Day falls on a Sunday.
Following Christmas Eve services, our family all meets at our home. We begin by reading the Christmas story. Then we pray together, thanking God for sending Jesus to this earth. We exchange gifts, eat, and then organized chaos ensues. Let’s face it: when we have six adults (and this year we will have seven adults, counting Jeana’s Mom), plus six grandchildren, all under eight years of age, chaos will happen. Wow! But it is fun and very LOUD!
On Christmas Day this year, Nick and Meredith will fly to Florida to enjoy spending time with Meredith’s family. Josh, Kate, and their boys will spend the day with Kate’s parents. Jeana, her Mom, and I will enjoy calm after the storm; however, in the late afternoon, Josh’s crew will come by for a while.
Oh, we are so blessed. So blessed.
No personal gifts from family for Gigi and me this year…but it will be exciting…
One morning in May, while running along the Atlantic coast of Florida, listening to a podcast by Ron Blue, I got an idea we are trying this year. Let me share it with you.
Jeana and I have been so blessed, we need very little to nothing. Therefore, this year at the end of Thanksgiving Day, I called our children and grandchildren together. We informed them that this year, they are not going to give Gigi and me a present at all.
Jeana and I gave each of them, including the grandchildren, some cash. I told them I wanted them to each take the cash we gave them, and give it away to someone with a need, a missionary family, or some other proper cause; but it must be used to help people and/or expand the gospel of Jesus in some way. Then, I asked each one of them to write us a note, telling us about what they did with the cash, and why they chose that particular person or cause. Before we open any gifts on Christmas Eve, we will read their letters to us.
Through generosity, we will learn about the needs of people and gospel advancement, all being blessed through giving. It will be exciting to read those stories. That really kind of fires me up more than another shirt! We are trying it for one year, and next year they can give us a gift.
Over the next few days on my blog
Over the next few days on my blog, I have asked several of our staff members to share with you their personal family traditions at Christmas. It should be fun and interesting to read. Merry Christmas!
Yours for the Great Commission,
Ronnie W. Floyd
Dr. Ronnie Floyd is the President & CEO of the Southern Baptist Convention Executive Committee.
This Week at Cross Church | Where Do We Go From Here?
The last week has been influenced greatly by inclement weather. Without any doubt, the weather has presented multiple challenges here at Cross Church. Yet, we have confidence that God is in control. Where do we go from here?
Christmas Worship Night Moves to December 15
After many weeks of rehearsals and intense preparation, the inclement weather last weekend forced us to reschedule our Christmas Worship Night, “The Perfect Gift,” to this coming Sunday evening at 5:30 p.m. at the Pinnacle Hills Campus. This special night will feature the combined worship choirs, talent, and giftedness of all of our Cross Church campuses leading us in a fabulous way. You will not want to miss it. Bring others with you. Fabulous worship like you will experience this Sunday night is part of the great and undeniable distinctiveness of Cross Church.
Jesus 1st Series Continues This Sunday
I am so looking forward to sharing the Word of God with you this coming Sunday as we continue our Jesus 1st series. How grateful I am to be able to present the Word of God to you weekly, not only teaching it, but growing with you through it. Be here on Sunday. Do not miss it. Bring others with you and invite people to join you weekly.
Financial Needs Intensify
Any time a church loses a weekend worship experience to inclement weather, there is a high cost financially. While many of our people insure they make up their giving when they are away, some do not. Therefore, our financial needs intensify. Historically, December is an incredible month for Cross Church financially. People insure they have honored God with the first tenth of ALL God has given to them financially, whether it is through cash income, stock income, property sales, inheritance, or other income. I want to encourage you to do it again this year. Beyond this, let’s all remember to work towards completing any commitments we made to our 3-year Greater Things Campaign that comes to conclusion in May, 2014. Another major goal we have is to challenge each of our people to give a sacrificial gift this December to our International Missions Offering called the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering For International Missions. This offering funds just under 5,000 missionaries across the world, outside of North America. Please see here all of the ways you can give.
Christmas Eve Worship Services Are Becoming a Priority
If you have never been to a Christmas Eve Worship Experience at Cross Church, you should come. There is nothing like it. It is comprised of: Fun and joy, inspirational Christmas music, singing carols, lighting candles, a story time for children, and a brief message from God’s Word. All of this and more happens in a meaningful 40-45 minute worship experience. Bring your family. You will be glad. Invite your friends. They will be glad. Dress however you normally dress for your family Christmas Eve, whether that be dressy or casual.
God bless you this week. Make Sunday a priority. I will see you on Sunday morning and evening here at Cross Church.
Yours for the Great Commission,
Ronnie W. Floyd
Dr. Ronnie Floyd is the President & CEO of the Southern Baptist Convention Executive Committee.