Can you guess what this used to be?

Before I tell you... let me tell you about this particular box.

I found it when I was in college. It wasn’t much to look at but it was cheap and sturdy. My dad volunteered to see if he could clean it up a bit. He loved tinkering in the garage on ‘projects’.

The box was perfect for storing something that I didn't want broken but I was reluctant to use it until my dad finished with it. It just didn't seem fitting. But, after he sanded and stained the wood, it was impossible to see what the original purpose of the heavy box was...

The box is the perfect size to hold my nativity set. 

Each year I wrap the individual pieces up and tuck them away for safe keeping.
Each year, I think of my dad and all the little things he used to do for me...slipping me a twenty for gas money, checking the air pressure in my tires...cooking an extra chicken on the grill  for me to take home.
Nice memories.

Back to what the box used to be...

It used to be an ammunition box.
Ironic, right?
It stored bullets designed to maim and kill....now it holds the symbol of forgiveness.

Last year, my family made the decision to not exchange Christmas gifts any longer.
I was pretty nervous about it...aren't presents the very definition of Christmas?

So I've spend most of the year thinking about how to replace this custom.
I've been trying to come up with something fabulous.
A helicopter ride?
Something memorable.
Fancy dinner downtown?
Something that will appeal to everyone.
A Christmas play?

It was stressing me out.
Which is exactly what we were trying to avoid when we made this decision. 
So I gave up making any plans. 
And that felt incredibly right.

Here's what won't happen this year. 
My son won't spend half of a day doing his last minute shopping during the short time that he's visiting.
My daughter won't arrive looking anxious as she tries to please both sides of her new family and attend all planned events.

We’ll cook... drink... watch Christmas shows and we’ll talk.
​A lot.
And I can’t wait.