life lessons with lute

Ah, Christmas, how I love thee. It really is the best time of year. Time to slow down, reflect, be filled with gratitude. 


Here's the problem. 


It's usually Christmas eve night, around 11:30pm, and I am wrapping presents like an insane person, It's a Wonderful Life is playing on my computer, and I think to myself, "How is Christmas starting in THIRTY minutes? What happened to time for quiet reflection?!? This was not part of the plan." The fact that I am recognizing this eight days early might be progress. We'll see how it goes.


This year we have really been emphasizing to Lute that Christmas is Jesus's birthday and that's why we celebrate, and isn't it great that we get to open presents on His birthday (because the kid cannot wait to open his presents)? Somehow in that emphasis, it has sunk into our hearts a little more, too. In the hustle and bustle, the endless renditions of "Rudolph", the Christmas cards, infinite discussions of Santa and what kind of cookies he likes... it keeps reminding me of Jesus. I am so thankful for that, because in the mad chaos that has been December, I need it.


And really, I think it can best be summed up by Lute himself. Here is a conversation he and Nick had over pancakes yesterday.


"Hey, Lute, you better hurry up with that hot chocolate. It looks like Eddie is gonna beat you." (This is a tactic we use when meal times are painfully slow.)


"Oh, Dada, let's just take our time and enjoy it."


Oh, Lute, if only you knew how wise you were.