Back to MenOfIntegrity.net Subscribe to Men of Integrity

 

  Main  |  Archives  |  Contact Us
Site Search

Connect with God

Transform my Mind

Live by His Power

Relate Better

Make an Impact


Sponsored by: Tyndale Logo





Related Channels
Parenting
Movies
Music
Faith in the Workplace

Home > Men > 2003 > Real Men Do Christmas


Todd Wilson's Familyman Weekly
Real Men Do Christmas
Todd Wilson
Friday, December 5, 2003



Hey Dad,

Whew, I'm tired. Christmas will do that to a dad … if you let it … and you should. Since Thanksgiving, we've cut down and decorated the Christmas tree, done a little inside and outside seasonal enhancement, and had our first Family Advent Night.

It's been a good couple of days—not perfect—but good. It rarely goes smoothly. Usually, my wife and I are hardly talking by the time we've selected a Christmas tree. She likes nicely shaped trees, and I like "ruggedly handsome" ones, and it's hard to come to an agreement. This year we picked out the best tree ever … and it was only 12 bucks!!

Even the decorating went pretty good by Wilson standards. No heirloom ornaments were shattered, Abe didn't pull the tree over, I didn't have to spank anyone, and the lights worked. What more could I ask for?

Trying 3 for 3, we had our first Family Advent last night. Thanks to my wife's planning and a bottle of sparkling grape juice, it went off without a hitch … I'm beginning to wonder if this isn't the calm before the Christmas storm.

The kids love it all. They love to turn the house lights off and sit in the glow of the Christmas tree. They love lighting another candle on our advent wreath and hearing me read a portion of the Bible and then one of my Christmas stories like Captain Chaos and the Manger Blaster or Cootie McKay's Nativity. They like snuggling on the couch or the big bear chair and watching "The Grinch."

I guess what they like most about the season is the time we spend as a family. They just like doing things … together. Most of the year we're too busy, but Christmas gives us the opportunity to do more stuff together.

Sadly, most of us dads miss out on all the Christmas fun because we get busy with "work" and delegate the Christmas activities to our tired, overworked wives. But when we do, we miss out—and so does our family.

How about you, Dad? Put your work away, dress up in your best Christmas plaid, and get involved. Go pick out the tree as a family, plan an advent night, watch an old Christmas video, pop popcorn, go shopping, sip sparkling grape juice, and enjoy the birthday celebration.

And never forget …

… REAL MEN DO CHRISTMAS!

You 'da dad!





share this pageshare this page




Men of Integrity
Connect with God  |  Transform my Mind  |  Live by His Power
Relate Better  |  Make an Impact
Home  |  Archives  |  Contact Us


Try an Issue of Men of Integrity
Free!
Subscribe to Men of Integrity
Name
Street Address
City/State/Zip
E-mail Address

No credit card required. Please allow 4-6 weeks for delivery. Offer valid in U.S. only. Click here for International orders.

If you decide you want to keep Men of Integrity coming, honor your invoice for just $19.95 and receive five more issues, a full year in all. If not, simply write "cancel" across the invoice and return it. The trial issue is yours to keep, regardless.

Give Men of Integrity as a gift
Buy 1 gift subscription, get 1 FREE!








share this pageshare this page
RSS Feed











ChristianityToday.com
Christianity Today International
www.ChristianityToday.com
Copyright © Christianity Today International
Privacy Policy | Terms of Use | Contact Us | Advertise with Us | Job Openings