As a kid, I loved the one-two punch of "The Holidays." Thanksgiving break was nothing more than a dress rehearsal for the big event coming in a month. I might see some family or hang out with friends, but before I knew it, my four-day weekend was over and it was back to school. Aside from a couple of construction paper Pilgrim hats, lots of green bean casserole, and a school play where I landed the part of "rock #3," Thanksgiving typically meant very little to me. Then there's Christmas break—the Perfect Storm of holidays. There are several factors that collide to make it so great: 1) no school, 2) lots of food, 3) people give you stuff.

Not too bad. And to be honest, for many years, that's all the holidays ever meant to me. It was a time for me to take a break. A time for me to do what I wanted to do. A time for me to clean house on all the gifts I didn't get for my birthday.

That's All?
But there has to be more to it than that, right? It can't just be about me. That can't be all that God had in mind for this time of year. Thankfully, it's not. In fact, the secret to doing the holidays right was under my nose all along.

The answer came to me from seeing all those Christmas Nativity scenes. They're everywhere this time of year. There are little ones you put out on the coffee table. There are the big ones that take up most of the mantle above the fireplace. Then there are the not-quite-life-size versions people keep in their yards (these tend to light up for some reason). And finally, there are the ever popular Living Nativities, where youth groups stand outside in the cold for hours in bathrobes and Birkenstocks. I'm sure your family has a Nativity scene or two in the house. If it's one of those Living Nativities, well, that's just weird.

The Nativity scene my parents had when I was around 8 came with characters the exact same size as my GI Joe action figures. This presented a temptation too great for me to bear. By the time my mom got home from work, my GI Joe battles had made their way up the bookshelf to where the Nativity scene had held a secure position. But thanks to GI Joe's strategic attack, their position was compromised. Before long, shepherds would be carrying numchucks. Wise men traded in their Gold, Frankincense and Myrrh for Grenades, Flamethrowers and Machine Guns. While nothing spices up the Christmas story like a couple of ninjas and a minesweeper, it probably wasn't the scene my mom wanted up on the shelf.

Aside from teaching me valuable combat skills, the Nativity scene taught me something very important about Christmas. It's there we get a glimpse into the core of Jesus' life and mission here on Earth. The Nativity scene reveals that Jesus came to be with us. To be with us. Everyone we see in a Nativity scene reminds us of how important it was for Jesus to not only give his life for us, but to live his life with us.

Jesus could have been born in some palace where he was instantly waited on by several high-priced nannies. He could have been born with only Mary and Joseph hanging around. He could have done it a hundred different ways, but Jesus showed early in his life how important it is for him to be with us. In fact, one of the many beautiful names given to Jesus is Immanuel, which means "God With Us" (Matthew 1:23).

From his birth until his death, Jesus chose to live his life with people. Instead of making a name for himself, by himself, he was constantly surrounded by others. So if being with people was such a big deal to Jesus, what do you think it might mean to you and me? Especially at a time like the holidays when there are usually lots of people around? What if he was inviting you into something different, something bigger than just you? What if Jesus was inviting you to really "be with" people over the holidays?

Being With Those You Live With
It's so easy over the winter break to fill your time with everyone but family. But if you look closely at the Nativity, you'll see the two people closest to Jesus are Mary and Joseph. Jesus started his time on Earth with his family. What if over these holidays you made an intentional effort to spend time with your family? Maybe it means going shopping with them, or having meals with them, or maybe helping out more around the house.

It's so easy to be in the same room with your family and still be very far away from them. Instead of always listening to your iPod in the living room, or turning on the TV, or talking on the phone, why not choose to be with your family when you're with them? Talk with them. Laugh with them. Eat with them. Be With Them. I guarantee you'll see your family and the holidays in a whole new and different way.

Being With Those Who Are Without
Take a look at your family's Nativity scene and check out those scruffy characters. No, I'm not talking about the donkeys or camels or even the ninjas. I'm talking about the shepherds. They lived on the outskirts of society; they held one of the lowest jobs around. They smelled like sheep for Pete's sake! These are not the type of people you typically invite into the delivery room. But Jesus is no ordinary savior. Right at the very beginning of his life, he let us know he didn't just want to be with people. He wanted to be with the people that most people would have nothing to do with.

One of the traditions my family had for most major holiday meals was to invite someone we knew who either had no family close by or couldn't afford to do the meal on their own. It made for some of the coolest meals I can remember, made our family feel closer and gave real meaning to the holidays.

What if over this holiday season you chose to be with others who may be without? Who could your family invite to a meal? Who could use a little company this holiday? Also, where could you volunteer to serve this season? I know one student who made a radical choice. He gave up his Christmas presents, asking instead that money be donated to a Christian charity that helps African families suffering from AIDS.

Instead of this holiday being all about you, what if it was about being with others? Do you think it might change anything? I'll bet all the gifts under my tree that if you set out to "be with" those who are without, you'll end up having the best break ever.

Do Something Different
Instead of letting these holiday breaks get lost in a pile of dishes and wrapping paper, you can actually do something. Something different. Something bigger than you. You can experience what Jesus experienced that first Christmas—the gift of "being with." And the crazy thing is this: When we choose to love others, when we choose to really "be with" others, we end up being with Jesus. He is there with our family. He is there with those in need. He is with us when we are with them. And that's just about the best gift anyone could ever ask for.

Read more from 'Faith & Values'

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