I’m very satisfied. My heart is completely full after another Christmas draws to a close.

When I was a kid, it was all about getting everything I asked for from the Big Fat Jolly Dude known as Santa. Usually, I got most of the toys and gadgets on my list, but I still always ended up feeling vaguely unsatisfied, like something was still missing.

The older I get, the more I realize that the best part about Christmas with family and friends are the memories you take with you. Long after the toys and devices break, get thrown away, get donated to Goodwill, or end up forgotten in an attic somewhere, those images from the past linger on.

Even now, if I try hard enough, I can conjure up pictures of grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins, some of whom are not physically present anymore. I can remember their smiles and laughter and especially their love for me and my love for them.

There’s a line from It’s a Wonderful Life that says, “You can only take with you what you’ve given away.”

There are no U-Hauls behind hearses. You don’t get to take all your toys with you when you die. What you take is the love that you shared and the people that will be in heaven because you shared the love of Jesus with them.

So I’m going to bed feeling all warm and fuzzy and contented.

Merry Christmas to all, indeed, and to all a good night.