This week we join Elisabeth in her childhood home as we peer into the Howard family’s Christmas morning tradition. As we prepare for Christmas day, may every heart in every home prepare Him room.
In our home on Christmas morning we were allowed to go into our parents’ bedroom very early with the filled stockings we had found hanging on the footboard of our beds (we had no fireplace in those days). We all (three of us in the early days before three more-known as “the babies”-came along) sat on the bed and pulled out the tiny gifts. These were things like toothpaste, pencils, April Showers talcum powder, nail brushes-for we had a practical mother-and always little gold mesh bags with gold-wrapped chocolate coins.
Next we dressed, made our beds, and ate breakfast. Things were always done decently and in order, even on Christmas. After breakfast we washed the dishes and had family prayers. Our thoughts were not focused, I’m sure, on the Bible reading or the prayers, but we learned something very important about delayed gratification: waiting enhances the joy.
Then-the presents which were piled under the tree. My father gave them out one at a time and everyone watched as the wrappings were torn off and the present displayed. In this procedure we learned not only to share in another’s joy, but our own joy in the giving of gifts was greatly enhanced because everybody was watching. We found, too, that the longer it took the longer the pleasure lasted.
We all helped pick up the rubbish. Then each chose a “public” place to display the gifts received.
**Excerpt originally published in November/December 1988 The Elisabeth Elliot Newsletter