Living Simply and Deliberately: December 2013

Monday, December 23, 2013

Thoughts on Christmas

Christmas Greetings!!!

Like many of you, our Christmas celebrations are under way!

We kicked off the holiday season with a wonderful Christmas celebration at our church. Music is a great way to get you into the Christmas spirit- don't you think?

We had our get together with Hubby's family over the weekend. We certainly had a house full of

chow, chatter and children!

Over the years, I have made a lot of interesting gifts,

all in the name of fun- of course.

Many have fallen under the title of re-purposed, recycled and even

Redneck

(Here are just a few!)

This year, I conjured up some new ideas.

Each of the girls received one of these lovely blue Ball jars with the pump.

AND

some lovely brooches made from the cans of their favorite beverages!

These precious jewels

may not look like much to you,

but I have to tell ya, every time I wear my

Arizona Tea brooch

on my jean jacket I get comments!

Good comments!

With the big family gathering behind us,

I am looking forward to our Christmas Eve traditions.

The kids will be here, with the grand kids in tow.

Little Jack is really looking forward to opening some presents.

He is so excited he can't stand it!

It's going to be fun!

I have to tell you....

This year I'm feeling extra blessed.

Yes, there is a wonderful present under the tree for me that I can't wait to get my hands on :)

Okay, I confess......I already tried it out, but don't tell Santa!

But that's not the reason I'm so blessed....

While driving the other day, I saw a festive military type banner in someone's yard that read,

WELCOME HOME

When I saw it, tears flooded my eyes.

What Joy they must be feeling as they welcome their spouse, or son or daughter home this holiday season.

And about 2 seconds after seeing that sign,

I heard the gal on the radio talking about a dear friend of hers who is preparing to say good bye to her 18 year old daughter.

This young girl had been dealing with cancer for 15 years. And now, just days before Christmas,

she was preparing to say good bye.

She said that as the reality of it all was settling in she collapsed into a chair and cried out to God, " I can't do this!"

And God responded with, "you can't, but I can!"

And then of course, I wept some more!

I know first hand the power and the truth of that statement.

On this Christmas,
I'm thankful that I don't have any children
fighting a war in a foreign country.

I'm thankful for the health of my family....

especially my own.

This March, I will be celebrating 10 years of remission!

AND WE WILL CELEBRATE!

I'm feelling especially thankful.

It's a thankfulness, deep in my gut.

One, I really can't rightly express.

The last few Sundays, our pastor has been speaking on the

Meaning of the Manger.

He wrapped it up this Sunday by sharing that it is our responsibility to

fully follow and fully worship the (newborn) King.

And I have to say, it's when we have felt forsaken
lonely
sad
and totally empy
and we have nothing but our worship to give..
that my friends is when we really get to know that baby in the manger.