Happy Holidays!

Happy Holidays...er...Merry Christmas!

I am sorry, I guess I had a moment of political correctness come over me. What was I thinking? It must be the medication I am on. This holiday season has been a hard one for me. I have been battling bronchitis and a sinus infection that will not go away. I know, that is TMI (too much information). I won't even go into the new item in my medicine cabinet, the Neti Pot.

I am feeling better but am so sore from the constant coughing. I feel like I have been doing 10 minute abs for 4 days straight. I wonder why I don't have the 6 pack? I guess if you do the ab workout like I have, one gets the whole keg instead. At least that is what I am going with. I hope all of you are getting your final Christmas gifts purchased and wrapped. I am about to start. Yes, start. I know, I should have been doing this for a while now, but hey, it has been busy around the McMahan household.

Madison is in the middle of her basketball schedule at school, Cole and Katie just finished up football and cheer. They both received awards...Cole was Mr. Consistency given for the most consistent player on the team...it was very fitting for him. He played multiple positions and did them all consistently well. He even played running back in one game...mainly to block, but his only carry he got 8 yds. Katie was the Best Tumbler on her team. That girl is an aweome flipper!

I guess I am telling you all this is because during this time of year, I get nostalgic and very family focused as I look back on the year. I am so blessed that God has given me my wife, Shannon, and out children. They are all gifts from God. With the birth of Christ being the reason for season (sorry for the cliche'), I have reminisced about the birth of my children. In fact, just this morning, I was telling them the funny things they used to say when they were learning to talk. I can't wait to see their faces on Christmas morning but even moreso than opening a gift...I can't wait to see what God has for their lives. It is my job as a parent to teach them the fear of the Lord and to always be sensitive to what God wants them to do. It is not necessarily a lesson that is done in a classroom, it is a lesson that I have to live.

With that, I want to wish you all a Merry Christmas! Live your life without any question who is giving you direction. Here is a little card from the McMahan's.

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Here comes Christmas...like a locomotive.

Its' official! My son's football season has come to an end. We just returned from the National Pigskin Classic in Las Vegas, NV, which is where we spent Thanksgiving. I know its hard to believe, but I really realized just how much I enjoy my family while we walked down the Las Vegas Blvd. The kid's faces as we walked into the M&M store...my wife's face as she saw dark chocolate M&M's was priceless. That was when we turned the corner and saw it...Christmas stuff. I guess I had been so focused on finishing the season, working at the church and with the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, that I borderline forgot. I know, that is horrible.

That is when I started to remember the Christmases when I was growing up. I love Christmas!!!! My youngest daughter, Katie, asked me last night when we were putting up our lights. She knows my rule...no Christmas lights up until December 1st. So, now I start the task of making sure they all work and putting them out for our neighbors and all who drive by to see. Did I mention, I love Christmas!?!

One thing I have heard all my life is this..."It is more blessed to give than it is to receive." I love to receive gifts...but I actually love watching people's faces light up when there is a gift for them. One of the greatest gifts I know of is the gift of salvation. I love to see people's faces light up when they actually understand and the light goes off that Christ gave them this gift. It is almost like a train has hit them...and in a good way. I love to see people understand what Christ actually did for them. I love to see people when they fully understand that Christ was born to this Earth for them. He had one appointment here and that was to take away the sin of the world. I understand He performed miracles and did a lot of other things and I don't want to diminish the works Jesus did while living on Earth. However, his purpose was for you and me. He came to die. Now if that doesn't hit you like a locomotive, I don't know what will. I love Christmas because it reminds me that Christ died for me...and for you. Merry Christmas and may the love of Christ consume you during this holiday season.