Yesterday we prepared the manger, celebrated with family a bit early, and ended the day by preparing our hearts at a Christmas Eve service.
This morning the kids woke up to find that baby Jesus had indeed found a soft place to lay his head.
We read the Christmas story, dug into stockings, and opened presents, and in the midst of lights, and ornaments, and crumpled brown paper, and bits of string, I prayed that seeds of faith were being sown.
We read the Christmas story, dug into stockings, and opened presents, and in the midst of lights, and ornaments, and crumpled brown paper, and bits of string, I prayed that seeds of faith were being sown.
To be honest, I struggle with how to balance the world's Christmas with the real Christmas...how to keep the baby and the truth at the center of it all. More than anything I want these kids of mine to know God's love...
"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life."
~John 3:16
And, for them to know His story by heart...
"And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, 'Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.'
Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel,
praising God and saying,
'Glory to God in the highest heaven,
and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.'"
and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.'"
I hope you all had a very merry and blessed Christmas full of Christ's joy and peace.
That sure sounds like a beautiful holiday lady!
ReplyDeleteThank you. We really enjoyed it. I hope you had a lovely Christmas and New Year!
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