Vintage? Or Vintage Inspired?

The other day, my friend Kari said how she like decorating with things that have stories attached. I couldn't agree more. Now, my story might be that I found it in my Grandma's attic, or on the side of the road, but it's still a story.

The other day, when skimming through a Pottery Barn Kids magazine, I saw something that looked familiar. I know that it caught my eye, just because I love the vintage style so much. But it was funny as I looked closer, I thought to myself, "I have the originals!!" And also the creeks, but hey, what's a little character!

Here is the "vintage inspired" bed from PB

the "Olivia Collection"

And here's the matching "vintage inspired" dresser in vintage pink

here's our vintage little girls' bed

(the "River" collection)

the bed beside our vintage pink dresser

I can't take credit for finding this beautiful set. A couple years ago, when we were talking of moving River into a big girl bed, my sweet mom-in-law saw it while down at her favorite antique store in Shallote, N.C. She grabbed a cell phone and got the "YES!!! GET IT!" from me, and it was loaded onto her friend's truck in no time.

Before paying the big bucks, check out antique stores if you're wanting that vintage look. A lot of times you'll find what you're looking for (and even what Pottery Barn's looking for) right under your eyes! At a fraction of the price! Like an 1/8 of the price. Yes, seriously. Now, sometimes you'll have to do your own paint job, but a lot of times you can find them already spruced up, and only a couple hundred, instead of a couple thousand!

"Bless The Hands That Never Tire In Their Loving Care of Me"

When I was a little girl, I used to love looking at my mamma's hands.    They always had pretty rings on, and they always looked beautiful.   I longed for the day when I would be able to wear them.    My sister and I would even "put our name" on jewelry that we really liked, and because I loved the color purple, I always claimed all the amethyst.   My sister, being 4 years older, knew to not go for color, and always claimed the diamonds - smarty pants!

When I look at my hands now, throughout the day, I don't often think of my Mom, just because I'm in the midst of doing.   Washing dishes, cooking dinner, grabbing another tissue, blowing another nose.    But, yesterday, for some reason, I decided to put on her rings.   I have her hands, which is really fun, because when I put on her rings, they look just like hers did.    Even in the colder months, when they get kind of scratchy and chapped, no matter how much lotion I put on.     

As I went about my day, I thought about how her hands cared for me.   Day after day.   Cleaning, cooking, washing, hugging, reading, playing, and as you know, the list goes on and on.   Even though she didn't live a long life, every day of hers was filled with loving care towards me.   When I think about my hands, I know that they really do tire.   I tire of doing, giving, being that ever present person to comfort and love my family.    But even though I tire, I wouldn't have it any other way.   I love knowing that what makes me tired is caring for them.    And, to my children, when they look at my hands, I want them to know that my hands never tire of loving care for them.    

My little girl noticed I was wearing several rings, and asked about them.    I told her how much my mom loved nice jewelry, and how she had given me the rings I was wearing.   I told her how my mom's favorite stone was amethyst.    But my mom's birthstone wasn't amethyst, and my birthstone isn't amethyst, even though we kind of wished it was.     But it is my daughters' birthstone.   As the prayer says, "bless the hands that never tire in their loving care of me."   As I bless my mom's hands, I know one day my children will bless my hands for the love toward them.

"Let us not grow weary of doing good.   For at the proper time, we will reap a harvest if we do not give up."    Galatians 6:9

May your hands be blessed today, in all that they do.

Snowflakes that Stay on My Nose and Eyelashes!

Usually on snow days, I bake chocolate chip cookies and watch movies. But today, instead of movies, it the Inauguration. And sad to say that we're out of butter, so no cookies to be made. Popcorn will have to do.

We had fun this morning stomping around in the inch of snow that fell here, but alas as soon as it arrives, it's gone. I do wish that the snowflakes would stay on our noses and eyelashes a little bit longer. But what a great day for a snow day, the chance to watch history in the making as a family.

At least we had enough to make a bowl of snow cream!

And snow angels (kind of)

And snow balls!

Sniffle...Sniffle...Cough

Well, it's officially here...the after Christmas cold.  Usually we have at least one round of a respiratory infection before Christmas and then one after Christmas.   If your family is anything like my family, we usually all pass it around, and it takes about a month for everyone to be ALL the way well.

So instead of today being a day where I got to go help a friend with decorating and seeing another friend that I haven't seen in years, today will be a sniffle...sniffle...cough day, full of tea drinking and couch lounging.    And saying, "let's watch another cartoon."

But, in case you're at home lounging and doing some online shopping, I have to let you know about this great offer from rekoncile design... (I know, shameless plug!)   But it's just such a great deal - I would hate me, if I knew about it and didn't tell you!    Each of these bags is at least 50% off (plus monogramming). 

  (bags from left to right)

Sail Bag (12" x 20")  Reg. $18...Closeout $9

Overnight Bag (20" x 7" x 13") Reg. $24, now $12

Backpack (9" x 5" x 12")  Reg. $16, now $7.50

Large Tote Bag (18" x 4" x 14")  Reg. $14, now $7

The Only Thing that Counts

…The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love.

                                            -Galatians 5:6b

As I read this, I think about how I was snappy and impatient with my kids tonight.   Or how I grumbled at the car driving too slow in front of me.    Or how I had a bad attitude about not being able to spend money.   Or how I judged a man because of how he looked.    And it feels like failure.     "I just can't do it, Lord.  I can't even do the only thing that counts."

But then, I remember, how I'm not the one who is supposed to be able to do it.  That I'm only a broken vessel.   An empty vase, filled with busy-ness, worries, stress, duties, and priorities.    Only when I have Jesus fill me with His love, His living water that brings life, can I then spill into other's lives.    He is my faith.  He is the love that can come out.   Only when I allow him to flow into all of me can I truly express my faith through love.    After all, it's the only thing that counts.

Popcorn for Breakfast?

Don't let that shy smile fool you.   Sweet?   You better believe it.   Curious?   More than George!   Boy?   Totally.

Remember my neighbors who had the evil santa claus at Halloween?    They're so nice!   We took them cookies around Thanksgiving, and actually met the wife, but still haven't had a chance to really get together with the kids.   But for Christmas, they brought us one of those huge tins of popcorn, you know the kind with the 3 different flavors.    Well, Asher loves popcorn.    He gets really excited about it, and even though my father the doctor would disagree with allowing him to eat it yet, I give in.

Now that my sweet little boy can climb out of his crib, he comes in to wake me up in the morning by standing right at my face by the side of my bed.   Usually I hear his little feet pitter patting down the hall on his way in.   But the other morning, as I was sleeping soundly all snug in my bed, I heard a weird sound that woke me.

*crunch...crunch... crunch*   "Mmm...'ca-corn'.   Good, Mama!"

My son had woken up, and proceeded to help himself to the huge tin of popcorn, and come in to proudly show me his morning  snack.    I have no idea how long he munched on it before coming to show me, but you can be assured, the "ca-corn" is put away!   But the trail of his crumbs by my bed is still lingering.

Kind of Almost Famous...

So lots of you know one of my best friends...Emily...from either her blog, or in real life. Lately, when I go places with her I kind of feel like I'm walking around with a celebrity. People stop us and tell her how much they love reading her blog, and ask her all types of questions about things they already know about her. And it's great. We walk away giggling with glee.

Not long ago, our friend Kari introduced us to the blog world, and Emily slowly came alive with her writing. Stories about her days, stories of her past, stories of watching others, and stories of being in fellowship with her Creator. But her stories have done much more than entertain and inform. They have invoked a community that longs to celebrate the everyday.

And so, even in the face of all the bloggers out there, who think that "Mommy Bloggers" are lame, and that what we talk about is of no real importance, she has continued to type away. And I'm so glad she has. She truly is a beautiful writer.

So while we still have time, I'm hoping that each of you will go to the Weblog Awards where she has been nominated as one of the ten finalist for "Best Small Blog" award and vote for Chatting at the Sky. She is up against some pretty tough competition (you know the kind of competition where you know a celebrity, and you get the celebrity to tell everyone in your fan base to vote for your friend, whether or not they actually read their blog, and let's just say the celebrity is Keira Knightly) but is holding a solid third position!

Voting is going on through tomorrow, so get out there and vote! And yes, I'm having flashbacks to November. Too bad Starbucks isn't giving out free coffee if you vote. You can come to my house and get some free coffee if you really want.

A Shoreline Story

There are places that you go in life that stay with you wherever you go.    Maybe it was the first time you went to the zoo, or the first time that you saw an overlook from a mountain view.     For me, ever since I was a little girl, my favorite place to go has always been the beach.   I love it in the winter, spring, summer and fall.   I don't have to have a reason to go.   I just love to be there.

Randy's parents have a place down at the beach, (I know you hate me now) and we got to go down this past weekend.   At first, I wondered if it would be worth the trip down - the work it takes to get down there, the time it takes to clean up and come back home, and all the in between.   But then, once I'm there, it's like coming home.   It welcomes me back, and I bask in the joy of feeling restored.

I've always found such peace strolling the shore, looking for seashells and animal life.   I love shell searching in the winter time because you can always find so much more than in the summer, when everyone is looking for those hidden treasures.   And, similar to bargain hunting, if you look long enough, and thoroughly enough, you're bound to find something.    This weekend was no different.   I found a little starfish, struggling to get back to the water, and after having show and tell with the kids, Randy gently tossed him back home.   I started down the shoreline looking for other shells and I knew it was calling me.  

As I walked down the shoreline that seemed to have no end, each step drew me a little farther.  Farther from my husband and children digging a sand castle, but closer to each new shell that was like gold in my hands.    I continued to walk on finding new treasures in each step, but never losing sight of my family, until they were little specks on the shore.    As much as I loved being able to find new shells, I wanted to return.   To hear their voices, to see what things they were exploring, and to be a part of their story that day.

Sometimes, I think that it's easy to feel a longing for the beyond.   A longing for what's just beyond that hill, or for the time when "that" finally happens.    But the thing is, that hill never comes.   The shoreline could have no end of new shells, and the thing that you're waiting to happen, is always just out of reach.     It isn't about finally finding the thing that gives you joy, the true joy is found right where you are.   Choosing to stay in the moment of now allows you to see the beauty of where you are.    The beauty of now.

So, I turned back toward my family, and walked slowly back down the shore, hands filled with treasures to share.

You Are Special Today

I love my birthday.   I've always loved it.    My mom and dad when I was little always had this red plate that said, "You Are Special Today" around the rim.   I used to get as excited about eating off the red plate as I did having my birthday breakfast and dinner be whatever I chose.   Usually, I picked french toast for breakfast and fried chicken, mashed potatoes and green beans for dinner.  My mom never even blinked an eye about my requests.    She would simply say, "Ok, that's what we'll have!"   We had family parties and friend parties.    It was an all day (sometimes week) celebration.    Presents were pretty nominal, but it was the celebration that was always so grand.     I definitely felt special on that day.

However, as life goes into one day, and out the next, many days and years go by, without feeling so special.   And what's worse, we get tricked into believing that we're not very special, except maybe on days like our birthdays.   We believe lies that life would be better if we were better.    That we're not good enough without having her house or her body or even, (gulp) her blog and that many comments!   If I could have more money or make better grades.  If I could get into that school or find a husband.   If my kids acted like that or if I had clothes like that.    If I could have faith like that.    The list goes on and on.    And we end up feeling like for some reason or another, we're just not that good.    That we're not that loved.    Or that loveable.

One thing I love about getting older is that I know more and more of who I am.   And I see more of the woman that God has made me to be.    And I'm learning to love who He created.  Without conditions.  Whether or not I'm in that size of jeans, and whether or not I did a good job at that.   Whether or not people like me.   Whether or not my house looks clean and beautiful.   Whether or not my husband and I get in a fight.    I see that what He made was a wonderful and fearful creation.    That doesn't change day by day, depending on how I act, or what I look like.   And who am I to say that what the CREATOR made isn't good enough?

I felt very celebrated this year for my birthday by several sweet people.   From breakfast to late night, I was doing things that I love to do (most of those things included eating yummy food).   I'm so thankful for the way that God has provided such a group of people around me to remind me that He loves me.    Not to mention how much fun I have with my family and friends!    But I am thankful to know that it's not just about being special "today" on my birthday.   No, it's knowing that you are that way everyday.     That you are special today.

If you tend to believe that you're not good enough, or that you're nothing that special,  I would challenge you to believe what He says about you.    That you were made by Him and for Him.   He longs for you to know His unconditional love and acceptance. 

"I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made."  ~psalm 139:14

Ever Fall on Your Face?

Tonight we got to go to a grown up party...with no kids...and no toys to trip over. So, I decided to wear my heels to go a little fancy for the evening. I mean, it's not very often that we get a night out, much less, without the little ones.

After a little eating and talking, I decided to venture outside to the outdoor games. As I was walking down the brick steps, my fancy little heel got caught in the grooves of the mat, and down I went. All the way. My hands hit the pavement below me, with my heel still at the top of the stairs. With lots of people watching.

Do you ever do something where you think, "Did I seriously just do that?" and you wish that you didn't but you know you totally did. Thankfully these people are my friends, and helped me up, and asked if I was okay. And didn't even laugh at me.

I fall a lot. It wasn't just because I was wearing heels, even though I did regret that in the moment. But I fall a lot more than most people.

Like the time that I finished dancing in a performance, and then when I ran back to the dressing room, tripped over a step and landed on my foot the wrong way, and broke it.

Or the time that I was walking down the steps by a fountain, and wasn't really thinking, and stepped out and completely missed a step, and my feet came up over my head, and I landed on my rear end.

Or the many times that my ankle just chooses to go out, and I fall down.

Or when I was at church the other week and fell down the stairs.

Or the other day when I fell down holding my son, but thankfully didn't hurt him, just felt silly.

See what I mean? It comes out of nowhere for me. I guess I'm just clumsy. All those years of dance apparently didn't teach me how to be a graceful walker.

But sometimes in life, whether by the wrong decisions that we make or just by being blind and stumbling, we can just fall flat on our face. In front of people. Without knowing that it's coming. And without knowing how to recover. You feel ashamed. Embarrassed. And unable to get up.

The only hope comes in knowing One who can pick us up. One who doesn't care how far we fell. Or why we fell. Who doesn't point a finger and say, "I TOLD YOU TO WATCH OUT!" He only says, "I want to help you get up. I love you. You're not beyond my reach."

It makes me so thankful to know, that we are never beyond His reach. That He never tires of pulling us out of our mire. Even when the pit has been dug by our own hands.

Secrets...A New Year...A New You!

Last night I got to do something I love. I got to take my big sister shopping. Using her money. Picking out what she liked but what I knew looked good. And for only a couple hours, bossing her around!

I loved saying, "oohhh...yes!" or, "ummm.....no."

As I was dressing her, and creating outfits, and reviewing and designing, I thought to myself how much I love doing that. And I even piped in when I overheard someone looking at a pair of pants saying, "What would I wear with these?" They went with my suggestion, which was also extremely satisfying.

By the end of the evening using my good fashion sense and her money (under $200, if you must know), we walked out of the store having an entirely new wardrobe. A grown up wardrobe. With pants that fit, not the ones that fall off your butt. And shirts that are professional and flattering, not trendy and going to fall apart after 2 washes.

After all, she's almost 35, and is about to be a RN. She needed some help getting prepped for her nursing interviews.

I think my favorite part was being able to see how great she looked and felt at the end of the evening.

So all this to say, that as we come into a new year, go through your closet. Pull out the old, unworn, and unworthy.

Shirt Tips: a classic button down looks good on everyone - it that's too boring for you, get one with ruffles at the sleeves, or ties at the top. Here are the tops that need to go to good will...

- If it's too tight across the chest and pull the buttons apart (too small)

- If it comes up to right at your waist line, so that if you barely move and it exposes your tummy (too short)

- If it hangs down and makes you look frumpy and bunchy around your waist (it's too big)

- If it has a hideous pattern that works with nothing

Pant Tips: you want ones that are tight enough around your waist that you can move a finger around your waist easily with the pants on, but not so loose that you finger doesn't touch the fabric.

- if they are tight and make your tummy have a roll on top (otherwise known as the muffin top) (too tight)

- if they pull at the zipper or buttons and make fabric lines pulling at your crotch - (too small)

- if they hang well below your shoe line (too long)

I'm not advocating going and using your credit card and spending hundreds of dollars. However, it's never a bad idea to get rid of what doesn't fit, and have a smaller selection of clothes that DO fit and ARE flattering! You don't need a fortune to have that! I'm going to Salvation Army in a minute, and I can't wait to show you what I find!! Remember what I found last time?

Call me when you're ready to go shopping!!

On Christmas Morn...

We had a great Christmas, filled with gifts of joy and cheer throughout the day.

We started with our birthday party for Jesus, where we have yummy cake - the kids wanted Jesus to have chocolate chocolate cake this year for His birthday.

Then we moved into the present opening.   Asher's at the stage where he could spend all day just with the first present, and never care about getting to any other gifts.

River, however, went from one to the next, barely stopping for a breath.

I think the biggest hit was the new furniture addition that I'm so lucky to have added to our house...(just ignore the clean clothes piled up on the sofa).

It seems to always come and go quickly, and before you know it, another year has gone by.      But even though the day has come and gone, my hope is that the joy and remembrance of Christ will remain in our hearts each day in this next year.     Hope you each had a wonderful Christmas!

Christmas Eve Agenda

Christmas Eve Agenda:

watch cartoons

bake cookies

bake pie

decorate gingerbread house (remember how it's a tradition?)

eat candy from gingerbread house

play tickle game

finally eat real food instead of cookie batter and candy

stay in pjs until afternoon

watch a Christmas movie with River while Asher naps

get ready for Christmas Eve service

worship together and celebrate Christ's birth!

have dinner with friends

open our one present for Christmas Eve!

set the stage for CHRISTMAS MORNING!

Christmas Tour of Homes

Christmas Tour of homes?   So much fun!!    Just still act surprised and amazed if you're coming to my Holiday bazaar this weekend!   I'm a little late to the party, but better late than never...again!

welcome all!

entryway table

front room mantle in the morning light

winter time stick arrangement in living room

my dining room mantle

and she kept all these things in her heart and pondered them

Come Peasant and King To Own Him

I went to a place last night where rich and poor came together to celebrate Christmas, and to thank God for the gift He gave us when He sent His Son to the earth for us.     It was beautiful to see young and old, black and white, rich and poor, all joined under one roof, to celebrate what this King has done.

As we talked this morning around the advent calendar, we recognized how great it was that God did not only tell the three kings about Jesus.    Or that He did not only appear to the poor and lowly shepherds.   But that He came to each, the peasant and the king, and told each how to go and worship the newborn King.    

It is for each of us that He came.     No matter our earthly status or demographic.   No matter if we're homeless or royalty.    We are each in need to receive this gift.    This gift to you this Christmas.

More Show and Tell...

The other night when I was doing some Christmas decorating, I thought about how much I hate taping my cards to my molding. They always fall down, or get pulled off by little hands, and just fold down, and end up looking kind of junky. Especially if you're like me, and leave up Christmas decorations until Feb.

So I decided this would be a cute way to hang Christmas cards!

Ragamuffin Christmas Card Garlands!

All I did was stretch out plenty of twine, and then did two strands, and tied the ends together. Then tie a bunch of scraps of ribbons and fabric at each little section of your twine. Not too much, to make it too tricky for cards to be on there, but enough to catch your eye, and make you happy to see fun fabric. Then, use drapery clips to hang cards, or paper clips (I know it sounds tacky, but you can't see them from the floor), or even just hang the cards over the twine. (I had to put the same Christmas cards on both sides, because I only have 2 so far!)

Here's hoping for Christmas cards that stay up all season!! And not to mention bring a quite whimsical, festive touch to your house!

Garland Show and Tell

i love being able to put together beautiful garlands.    i really just discovered this love about 3 years ago, and ever since, i look more forward to doing them, than my tree!  isn't that awful?! shhh...don't tell anyone.    

because i keep up with a 1, 2, and 4 year old every day, and because i'm a dork who doesn't have google reader, i don't always know all the goings on out there in bloggy land.   so, today at one of the best playdates ever, (she made me homemade chocolate chip cookies, wore my kids out, and gave me much needed friend time), emily told me to make sure i linked up to nester's garland party.    so, needless to say, i couldn't wait to have an excuse to show mine off!

these are close ups of my front room garland

my dining room garland

 (a little less traditional, but probably my favorite)

the whole thing

can you guess what kind of garland this is?

Check back tomorrow and I'll show and tell!

Secrets of a SLACK Sassy Mama...

I know I've been slack. And, no, I'm not talking about the kind you wear. I've gotten into doing this post every other Wednesday, but if you've been missing the weekly updates, let me know, and I'll get on the ball. There's something that I've been wanting to tell you to put on your Christmas list...

Sweater Dresses!

They are sooo sooo cute. I have to post this picture that my blog friend Jodie took of a senior that she was photographing, because she shows the whole reason why these are so becoming. Ok, now I just sound like my grandmother. Becoming? Stunning is a better word. Check out this beauty...

I absolutely love this photograph. And the sweater dress. And the boots. It's perfect.

All this to say...I have seen these on people who are tiny and people who are more stout. I have seen them on short and tall. They look great on everyone. Wear it casual with a pair of everyday boots, or dress them up with a pair of pumps or a pair of heeled boots.

Here's a link to some of the best priced ones I've seen. And over here at Ann Taylor, there are some that were more pricey, but some of them are on a GREAT sale. If you don't find any you like, check your favorite store. I'm sure they have them, because everyone is dying to get their hands on these comfy, cozy, and sassy dresses! So take advantage of Christmas, and ask for a sweater dress. You won't be disappointed!

Trim Up the Tree

We got our tree yesterday.   Getting our tree home and in the stand the right way used to be a big issue for my hubby and I, that always ended in an argument, until my brilliant friend Emily said, "Why don't you take your stand with you to the Christmas tree lot?  They'll put it in there for you."    And those words changed my life.    I mean, why didn't I know that 9 years ago!!??

So anyway, yesterday, we brought it home, already in its stand.   It was wonderful.   Until we realized that it was crooked.    So, we still ended up having to hold and tip and tighten and get pricked, but it wasn't a big deal at all.    I don't even know why we've had issues in the past!     I always love seeing the legs coming out from under the tree.    This is Randy trying to get it just right.

  And, I don't know about yours, but apparently, our tree has to be drilled into a piece of wood to be really secured.   

He just likes being able to use his drill.

After getting it upright, River and I quickly put the lights on together while Daddy took Asher potty.   It was the first time she helped with the lights, but even getting pricked didn't bother her.     We were on a task to surprise the boys.   And by the time they were done (he had to go poopie so it took a little while) River was saying, 

"Close your eyes!    Ok, look!!    SURPRISE!   The lights are on!"

She felt like she had given the first gift of Christmas.   It was great.

It was one of those moments that you don't want to forget, and that passes too quickly.    

Em is doing a fun thing over at her place where we can all stop and savor the moments of this season. Enjoying the everyday, or to use her phrase, unwrapping everyday, and seeing how beautiful each moment is.      Take a moment to listen to the stories of others, and challenge yourself to stop long enough to unwrap today.

The Place Between the Leaves

At the close of fall, and the beginning of the Christmas season, I always wait for a feeling to emerge.    That simply because Thanksgiving has passed and I can begin listening to Christmas music, my heart should suddenly have some magical  erruption of joy and gratitude to the One who has come.     Waiting for the evergreens to take their stage, I wait for something in me to begin to celebrate.

But this change of seasons is not always so easy to come.    Just as the leaves all have to die, and turn from their glory back into the soil from where they came, so must I experience a type of surrendering.

To choose to celebrate Christ's coming, is not to have a magical feeling.   It's not seeing all the pretty lights in the night.    Or to have my tree up (which I don't have yet).     To see the beautiful green leaves in my house or around town.

It is to choose to Stop.   Remember.    Listen.    Praise.     Celebrate.

When David talks about a sacrifice of praise, I often think how hard it must have been for him to praise the Lord.   When all of his friends had turned against him.   When every day he was hiding, in fear of his life.   When the one who he had served and loved as his king had betrayed him.   When nothing in his life was going well.    He still chose to praise the Lord.      Through depression, suffering, loss, He gave a sacrifice of praise.

With all the business, chaos, and stuff, there are few moments to sit and ponder the meaning of Christmas, or even the meaning of Christ.

But this is the place between the leaves.   Before the day of Christmas, where we can so boldly celebrate because everything is finally done.   Or before the parties really start.   Where I have to choose to sacrifice some of the stuff to be able to enter in to this place of celebration.   Of praise.   To make myself stop many times feel like a sacrifice.   I would go 100 miles per hour every day, for my entire life, and many days, I confess that I do.    But when I forget to stop, I miss out on the celebration.   Even in this place of waiting for Christmas.    I have to make myself stop.    And allow the Christ to enter into this broken vessel.   For then, I will know His power to experience who He truly is.   This Christmas season, and always.    He enters in, in the same way that He first came.    Sweetly.   Gently.   Quietly.    Humbly.    Powerfully.     

Christ come to us, this day.    As you did so many years ago.    O come, let us adore you.