When my children were much younger and all living at home, Christmas Day usually involved the following:

1. Get up earlier than necessary, or desired.

2. Read the biblical story of the birth of Jesus.

3. Open presents.

4. Cook and consume breakfast — usually pancakes, bacon and maybe some eggs.

5. Take a nap.

Now that my children are almost all living on their own (or not at my house), my Christmases typically involve travel and a focus on lunch instead of breakfast as the day’s big meal.

This year, however, looks to be different.

Unless things change, we will have our large family get-together a week earlier, at my sister’s home. It will be my wife, eldest daughter and me, and hopefully one or both of my other daughters; along with my sister and her husband and children; my brother and his wife and whichever of his children and their spouses/yet-to-be spouses are able to be there; my parents; and a few others.

We’ll all “land” at my little sister’s home mid-morning, listen to my dad read the biblical story of the birth of Jesus — still probably my favorite part of our Christmas visits together — open a few gifts, eat lunch together, then try to stay awake.

On Christmas Eve and Christmas Day this year, it’ll be just my eldest daughter, my wife and me — and the dog, of course — at home. We’ll exchange a few gifts and probably make pancakes and bacon. At some point we’ll watch the quintessential Christmas movie, “Die Hard,” and (of course) take a  nap.

But it really wouldn’t matter what day we celebrated Christmas, honestly. The main point is to celebrate the coming of the King of all creation, born as a baby to a virgin mother, 100 percent man and 100 percent God, Jesus the Christ. We can celebrate his birth just as easily any other day than Dec. 25. And, honestly, we should — every day.

News editor Brett Campbell can be reached at brett.campbell@dailyleader.com.