Dec. 24th

"Silent night, holy night All is calm, all is bright
Round yon Virgin Mother and Child
Holy Infant so tender and mild
Sleep in heavenly peace
Sleep in heavenly peace
Silent night, holy night!
Shepherds quake at the sight
Glories stream from heaven afar
Heavenly hosts sing Alleluia!
Christ, the Saviour is born
Christ, the Saviour is born
Silent night, holy night
Son of God, love's pure light
Radiant beams from Thy holy face
With the dawn of redeeming grace
Jesus, Lord, at Thy birth
Jesus, Lord, at Thy birth "

Dec. 22nd

Wow, three days until Christmas.  I am feeling pretty relaxed right now.  Had an awesome day hanging out with a great friend and even though I look around my house at the absolute mess, I just don't care.  That's a good thing.  What will get done will get done and whatever doesn't get done, it's okay.
But today I am thinking about 3 days.  Remember when you were 9 months pregnant (I am assuming most people reading this are moms)?  Remember that feeling?  You just wanted that baby out.  You are ready to meet him/her, hold them in your arms and be able to put shoes on in a dignified manner.  But it was also stressful in a way, wondering when you were going to go into labor.  How it would all pan out. Would you make it to the hospital?  Would it be fast or slow?  Was your water going to break while in the grocery store and go everywhere?  Stuff like that.
Now imagine, you are Mary.   She was young.  Her and Joseph had to travel many miles to get to Bethlehem for the census.  She rode a donkey and was very pregnant.  They had no place to stay, no doctor, no bed.  Can you imagine?  This child was created by God.  Do you think she wondered if her child would be normal?  Healthy?  I imagine I would be full of a million questions.  Yet all she could do was wait.  Wait for Jesus to come.  Do you think she knew?  Do you think she realized what His coming would mean? 
I imagine she didn't know fully the significance of this birth.  Yet, it didn't really matter did it?  To her, she was bearing her son.  She could feel him move in her.  Anticipated his birth.  Hoped everything would turn out okay.  Loved him fiercely as any mother loves her child.  As we love our children.  I don't really think I give Mary enough credit.  She has been over idealized.  But I think I neglect her a little too much.  She must have been an amazing woman for God to have chosen her for this task.  Knowing the heartache she would go through eventually.  He entrusted His son to her.  I can't wait to meet her in heaven.

Dec. 21st

Holiday.  I really hate that word. I refuse to tell people "happy holidays".  I refuse to buy cards that say "have a good holiday" or "hope your holiday is merry".  I feel very strongly about this.  And I get it.  I honestly get that there are people who don't believe in Jesus, who don't celebrate His birth, who celebrate Hannukah (am not sure how to spell that) or santa or whatever else there is this month.  But to me, this holiday is a celebration of Christ's birth.  His birth.  That is why Christmas is here.  That is my belief and I feel I have the right to tell people "Merry Christmas".
So Merry Christmas to all of you!

Dec. 20th

I was sitting at church today which just so happens to meet in a school cafeteria and I noticed some pictures on the wall that kids had colored in.  They were pictures of santa, christmas trees with presents underneath, and teddy bears.  For some reason it really struck me how empty it all was.  Christmas without Christ.  What is the point?  Presents? pine trees to cut down and put in your house and decorate? It is all meaningless if you take Jesus out of the picture.  So empty and sad.  I can't even imagine.  That was how I celebrated Christmas the first 8 years of my life.  I do remember it and yet still can't imagine it.  I also remember the let down, you know after all the presents are unwrapped and you look around and there is nothing else.  That's it.  Because you have built up this great santa giving, present getting purpose and once it is over, it's over.  All the excitement is gone, all the build up.  Okay you get my point.
But now, now I have Jesus.  His birth, His life, His death even and most importantly, His resurrection.  I get that hope.  The hope that comes with Christmas.  The hope for something more than this life.  There is something more than this life.  This life that can be so hard and full of so many disappointments, this is not all there is.  And I am so glad for that hope.  That hope I can pass to my children.
So this week, with all the hustle and bustle of trying to get everything perfect, every present wrapped, every goody baked, every dustbunny dusted...I am not.  I am not going to let it get to me.  I am going to keep my focus on what brought us to this "holiday".  The birth of my Saviour.  Because, when He was born, everything changed.  My life changed because of His birthday.  My Christmas changed once I learned the truth.  And I am so thankful for that truth!

Dec. 20th

5 days until Christmas.  It's so hard to believe how quickly this month goes by.  Before we know it, it will be over.  The tree will be taken down, decorations put away, treats eaten, presents opened.
But the true reason for Christmas is eternal, never ending.  Jesus coming as a precious baby, our Savior is an amazing gift.  Something to remember and be thankful for every day of our lives.

Dec. 17th

Today was not a good keeping in the spirit of the season kind of day.  So am going to look at the brief bright sides in my day:
having impromptu "coffee" with a friend whom I haven't seen in awhile
wrapping presents (I do really love giving gifts)
watching Elf - for the first time.  Am not sure it will become a classic for me but pretty funny
hearing son sing songs about Jesus-this one is the best
having my kids actually play together without fighting-granted they played loudly which I really wasn't up for  
    but at least they were getting along
That's it.  All I got for today.
Maybe tomorrow will be brighter:-)

Dec. 16th

You know one of the things I love most about working?  Especially on wednesdays when my husband is home with the kids?  Is coming in the door and having all the kids so excited to see me and hug me and tell me about their days.  That is something that is usually reserved for husbands.  Let me tell you, it feels great.
I know this is another post sort of about work, but once again it is late and I am tired.  I am also grateful at this moment for my bed and the fact that I don't have to work tomorrow.  So maybe I will get to sleep in a little.