Guest Post

AFTER THE PRESENTS

By: Joseph J. Mazzella

    

When I was a boy I used to look forward to Christmas morning with all the eager anticipation

of a child. I couldn’t wait to crawl under the tree, pull out my presents, and rip off the paper.

Yet, the best part of the day came after the presents. Once those presents were opened I would

spend hours reading the books I got with pure pleasure and playing with the toys I got with joyful

abandon. Yet, the best part of the day came after playtime. Christmas dinner at our house was

more often than not an Italian style feast fit for a king with spaghetti in slow cooked tomato sauce

full of meatballs, steak, potatoes, and chicken all topped off with freshly baked loaves of bread.

Yet, the best part of the day came after dinner.

    The best part of the day was in the evening when the whole family sat down together in the

living room. My brothers and I would be crowded together with my Mom on the couch. My

Dad and Nana would be relaxing in their chairs with warm smiles on their faces. Our little dog,

Duke would be curled up at my feet napping. Freshly popped popcorn would be passed around

while we watched some old Christmas movies on the television. More often than not, though, I

would be watching everyone else instead. I could feel the peace, the love, and the happiness

that connected us all. In my child’s heart too I knew that God was present with us. It was the

best part of the day of the best day of the year. It was Christmas!

    As I grew older and had children of my own I did my best to create special days like this with

them not just at Christmas but all through the year. I realized something special too. I realized

that each day here was a present from God. I realized that each day we lived in love was our

present to God. I realized that each day can be Christmas if we choose. May all of your days

feel like Christmas. May every day feel like the best day of the year.