Happy Christmas

I turned in my last paper of the semester just yesterday. Now, I'm enjoying my first real day off from school which includes breakfast and a movie with my roommate, Amanda.

We're sitting in our living room watching "The Holiday," which is appropriate considering Christmas is just around the corner. This Christmas seems so surreal, just beyond my reach. It will be the first Christmas that I won't be with my family. It was hard to come to terms with, but I know there is a greater purpose for being here.

"It just doesn't feel like Christmas." Christmas is waking up in layers of sweatshirts and socks. It is opening the door of my room and being greeted by three happy dogs who more than gladly accompany me to the kitchen where I can reliably find my grandmother. It is enjoying an apple turnover and a cup of "cafe au lait" for breakfast and catching a glimpse of a Christmas Day Parade on the television in the living room.

I could go on, but I am realizing that Christmas is much more than that. It's about celebrating the birth of the world's Savior. It's about remembering who we used to be without Him and who we can be with Him. It's a beautiful picture of warmth, love, and hope. I can excitedly look forward to going home one day and celebrating Christ in a way I cannot even begin to imagine.

Thankfully,I can also look forward to going home to Miami in January and seeing my family. It will be oh so sweet! Until then, I will enjoy the time I've been given and, maybe, even experience my first "white Christmas."

Happy Christmas, everyone!