Christmas. How it is suppose to be.

Christmas morning.

We've spoken already with all six of our grandchildren and it just turned 8:30. The four who live closest by called us before we even got a chance to check in with them, and their excitement raced through the phone. We will be leaving here shortly for the 30 minute drive to their home so that we can experience their joy face to face.

The other two, who are the youngest, have recently moved with their parents to Philadelphia from Jacksonville, just in time to get everything set up in their new home and ready for Santa's arrival. Yesterday when I spoke with Mack and Bret, I explained that because of his route, Santa comes to Philadelphia before he gets to Florida. I think they liked that idea a lot.

This, indeed, is what this season is all about for me. How blest I am, for sure.

Last evening, we did what has become a Christmas Eve tradition by driving over to the nearest grandchildren's house to go to church services with them, ended each year by a crowd in front of the church, everyone holding lit candles and singing "Silent Night." And, then it is to their house where we all eat tacos or burritos in great anticipation of Santa's arrival. I really don't understand how wide eyed children can fall asleep with all of that adrenalin flowing. But, they always do.

When we got back home here to our little farm afterwards, I lit a fire in the pit outside and Annette and I sat there and had champagne, gazing up at the full moon, hidden from time to time by passing clouds. And, we counted our blessings. It took quite a while to cover the list.

Annette and I told each other that this year, we would not swap presents. We already have so much, we said. It was a false pact based on a wink.

We think each year that we can fool each other, but as Christmas grows closer, packages somehow seem to mysteriously appear under our tree. It always happens.

I think it is kind of like the four grandchildren--Carson, Connor, Coleman and Ashton--who always come home from Christmas Eve church services and start in right away asking their mom if they can open "just one" present. And, she always says, "No, not until the morning." She knows she does not mean it, and they know she does not mean it...but it is something the five of them do every year, and they do it as if it is the very first time.

Our children are lucky. Within a certain amount of reason, they let Santa know through various ways just what it is they would like for Christmas, and Santa and all of Santa's helpers do whatever it takes to make those wishes come true.

In doing so, we all also recognze--including the children--that not every child is as fortunate, nor every family as supportive. In fact, a lot of everyone's focus during the year is around those children and families who struggle.

But, for this brief and excitement packed few hours, these children get to own their Christmas and all of the wonderful feelings and things that come with it. That's how it should be.