fem·i·nin·i·ty: the quality of being female; womanliness.

mas·cu·lin·i·ty: possession of the qualities traditionally associated with men.

Such an interesting debate in our society, and a strange topic for a Christmas blog: gender differences.  As I consider the holiday season, my perspective of gender equality is highlighted in the twinkle of the Christmas tree.  We are all equal in value, ability, and purpose in the sight of the Father.  But, equal does not mean indistinguishable or alike. Our Father loves diversity—diversity in appearance as well as differences in gender.  But, because we have different likes, abilities, joys, and strengths certainly doesn’t mean we are not equal or less than.

Some of the things that Brian does as the head of our home and the patriarch of our family looks very different from the things I do.  Brian gets all of the décor (all 867 boxes) down from the attic.  He makes sure fire wood is easily accessible for the season.  One of his favorite traditions is to pour each member of our family a glass of eggnog to sip as we light the tree and then we each offer a toast of something we are thankful for.  He takes the guys hunting on Black Friday complete with dinner cooked over a camp fire.  He loves to watch family videos on Christmas morning and lead us in recalling and celebrating the struggles and victories we have all faced.  Brian is a man’s man, but he adores his family and the Christmas season.

I, on the other hand, love Christmas too but it looks quite different from my perspective. The girls in our family have gone shopping very early on Black Friday for well over 20 years.  Not for the deals, but for the time and loads of laughter (and coffee, too).  This year Madi and I decorated the entire house two weeks before Thanksgiving.  We did everything including putting up the tree.  However, we stopped short of the ornaments.  Jake was only home for a short time over Thanksgiving and we simply couldn’t decorate the tree without him.  I plan our parties, Christmas light gazings, and meals months in advance so that we are sure to do the things we love and not be overwhelmed in the midst.  Madi and Brian go to the Nutcracker Ballet each year and Jake and I have mom/son date, usually consisting of a great meal and movie.  The nieces come over for PJs, hot chocolate, cookie decorating, and crafts and have ever since they were babies.  I love being a wife, a mom, and a woman.

Bottom line is…Brian and I together, man and wife, equal in worth, skill and strength, but uniquely different in likes, personality, and approach.  Together, we provide our family with fullness of life and joy.  This Christmas season I celebrate that our Father values all of us both genders and all races…and I am thankful for and bask in our difference.  Truly our differences make life beautiful.

Merry Christmas!!