With five kids in the house, it's easy to get into the Christmas spirit.
But a story the other day took it to another level.
With all the despondency these days, an article in last Friday's Courier News showed that the true spirit of Christmas is still alive and well.
Anonymous Santas have been popping up, mostly at Kmart stores, around the country, paying off strangers' layaways.
Reportedly, an anonymous Indianapolis woman paid the layaway orders for as many as 50 people. On the way out of the store, she handed out $50 bills and paid for two carts of toys for a woman in line at the cash register, all in memory of her husband, who had just died.
To me those selfless deeds epitomize the season.
Christmas is about giving.
After all, the reason we celebrate Christmas is the birth of Jesus Christ, the greatest gift of all. He entered this world, humbly, in a manger. He served, performed miracles and willingly gave his life so that you and I could have it more abundantly, paying a debt He didn't owe but we could never pay.
Between buying presents, wrapping presents, going to this Christmas program or that function, along with dealing with everyday life, it is easy to lose sight of the true reason for the season.
Like many, I've gone overboard with buying presents that usually end up in the Walmart return line on Dec. 26 or out of use within a few months.
Frankly, I can't remember most of the presents I bought last Christmas, nor really what I received.
But I'm thankful for the true reason for the season, listed below.
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Luke 2:1-20
1 And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed.
2 (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.)
3 And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.
4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:)
5 To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.
6 And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.
7 And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.
8 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.
9 And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.
10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.
11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
12 And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.
13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,
14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.
15 And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.
16 And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.
17 And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child.
18 And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds.
19 But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.
20 And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.
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This is a special Christmas for me personally.
By the time this column hits the streets, there will be three more Brasfields.
Today, I'm adopting my wife's girls, Starr, Elizabeth and Lauren, who now officially have two brothers, Parker and Keaton.
We've been a family since May, but now we all have the same last name.
I'm looking forward to many wonderful Christmases to come, Lord willing.
It's sorta fitting that the adoption happened this time of the year.
Just like my name is now on the girls' birth certificates, God has adopted me in a sense, because I have accepted His son Jesus as my personal Savior. When I was saved years ago, my past was wiped away.
Second Corinthians 5:17: Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
mbrasfield@blythevillecourier.com