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Twas the night before Christmas, and … another package wrapped! I looked at the growing pile of bags with satisfaction. My refill coffee sat on my desk.

"It's late," my husband, Frank, said. He startled me as he stood in the doorway, squinting at the light, and added, "Come to bed." He'd gone to bed hours ago, after the family Christmas Eve dinner, after the church service, after tucking Tyler, Delaney and Katriel into their beds and after reading them his annual rendition of "The Night Before Christmas."

"Be there soon," I answered as he returned to bed. I arranged the last bag just so, and I stood back to admire. But I felt a bit lopsided—happy, but with a pinch of upset stomach from caffeine mixed with our traditional Christmas Eve tamales. I checked the clock. Three a.m. and … "all through the house not a creature was stirring."

I tiptoed quietly into my bedroom so I wouldn't wake Frank. But as I nudged him to make room in the bed, he said in a wide-awake voice, "What time is it? 3:30? Why do you do this, Naomi?" Resolving not to think about that question until another day, I fell asleep as soon as the coffee jitters allowed.

After I'd physically recovered from my sleepless Christmas Eve, I asked myself: Why did I do this? What was my mental picture of what Christmas morning should look like? I had to confront the real soul question: What kind of Christmas did I want in my home?

My picture of home for the holidays came from my childhood. Christmas meant a room filled to the brim with presents—enough for my six siblings and me—given by two generous (and tired!) parents. In an "aha" moment, I considered: I have three kids, and one of them doesn't even care about what's inside the wrapping paper yet.

So I vowed to create a change. And the next year our celebration was much simpler on Christmas Eve. Our home reflected an emphasis on Jesus and his birthday. I chose a single focus, celebrating Jesus as "the best King." We had fun painting crowns and wearing them to celebrate Jesus, who came as a baby and will one day come again as the most wondrous King. The next day I was awake and peaceful enough to give the best of me and to create memories that will last with my family.

My simplified Christmas plan stuck. And now I actually look forward to the night before Christmas, and the morning that follows.

"Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him." Ephesians 3:17 (NLT)

Naomi Cramer Overton, President, MOPS International

P.S. Looking for ways to simplify the holiday season? Go to www.MOPS.org/holidayhelp

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