Head Butt...

That's what Gabriel gave the asphalt in the Kohl's parking lot on Monday night. Luckily he is just fine - he barely bled or scraped himself and only got a small bruise with no concusion or brain damage. I must admit I was rather worried for at least the next 24 hours that he had some internal brain damage that would show up after a little while, but he has been just fine and even managed to get a few extra cookies and an extra "choo choo" movie viewing out of the deal that night since I felt bad for him.
We had been out doing our last of the Christmas shopping when he was supposed to be getting into his carseat but decided it would be more fun to swing the wrapping paper around instead. As I was taking it from him to get him in his seat, he ended up diving out of the car (rather slowly, thank God) and landing on the asphalt head first. Luckily he has a hard head like his father and heals quickly too since the bruise is already all gone and he just has a little scab left over his right eyebrow.
As I was really worried that night after Gabriel went to bed that he wouldn't wake up later and feeling guilty that perhaps I could have prevented his injury, I thought about how God must have felt when he watched his son endure a much worse injury, death on a cross, which he very easily could have prevented but chose not to for our sakes. It was a good reminder for me of what the Christmas season is all about. Sure it's nice to see family and receive presents, but the whole point is that God sent his son to earth, and I think it's important that Christmas is called CHRISTmas and not FAMILYmas or PRESENTmas or the many other things that have taken his place at this time of year. Whenever I make Christmas cookies I always make some crosses as I believe that that is the ultimate goal and purpose of Christmas and should not be forgotten as we celebrate the birth of Jesus. This has been something I have been thinking about a lot this year, and I have many thoughts concerning how I think Christmas should be celebrated, but there's not room to discuss them all here (and they may be a bit radical for many people), so feel free to ask me if you want to hear more.