Giver of Gifts

*warning...lots of pictures ahead...

Gifts are so fun. I love gifts. I love giving gifts, and I love receiving them. It's safe to say that gifts are one of my love languages. So, I find it pretty amusing that my birthday is the same day that is noted on our calendars as the day we celebrate the gifts that were given to Jesus by the magi. Now, obviously, it was not on Jan. 6 however many years ago. But, it still feels representative somehow, even if just in my heart. It's as if, it's a time to think back upon the gifts given...to Christ, to us, to the world. That today is a day of celebration...not just for me, but that Jesus was celebrated with gifts, just as He is such a lavish giver of gifts.

I haven't really done a Christmas post, even though I have thought about it many times. We just had so much traveling going on that I haven't gotten to it. But this morning, as I was woken by my sweet family, with flowers and coffee, and then treated to my favorite breakfast, I once again thought about how blessed I really am. God has given me such good gifts. He truly is the giver of good gifts, and I know that these precious ones in my life are more than I ever could have asked for. Here's a little snapshot into our Christmas, and the gifts that I have to be thankful for...

a warm and cozy home

beautiful children to celebrate Christ (and Christmas) with

the gift of new life

new friends

the blessing of provision to be able to surprise our children with their first bikes!

the gift of having a husband who knows me well!

fun times with family!

I happened to be reading Romans 5:15-17 last night...

"But the gift is not like the sin. For if the many died by the sin of one man (Adam), how much more did God's grace and the gift that came by the grace of the one man, Jesus Christ, overflow to the many! Again, the gift of God is not like the result of the one man's sin: the judgement followed one sin and brought condemnation, but the gift followed many sins and brought justification. For if by the sin of one man, death reigned through that one man, how much more will those who receive God's abundant provision of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign in life through one man, Jesus Christ.

The message might make it a little bit more clear...

"Yet the rescuing gift is not exactly parallel to the death-dealing sin. If one man's sin put crowds of people at the dead-end abyss of separation from God, just think what God's gift poured through one man, Jesus Christ, will do! There's no comparison between that death-dealing sin and this generous, life-giving gift. The verdict on that one sin was the death sentence; the verdict on the many sins that followed was this wonderful life sentence. If death got the upper hand through one man's wrongdoing, can you imagine the breathtaking recovery life makes, sovereign life, in those who grasp with both hands this wildly extravagant life-gift, this grand setting-everything-right, that the one man Jesus Christ provides?"

As much as I treasure the gifts that God has given me through my family and friends, there couldn't be a greater gift than that which God gave through His Son. Life for death. Righteousness for condemnation. All for our taking, on this gift of a day. I hope that you are able to receive the gift of grace that brings full life to you this day and always.

While Visions of Sugar Plums Danced

When I was little, I wanted to be a ballerina. I began taking lessons when I was 3, and didn't stop until I graduated. Then I started again. Now, it's not like I'm that girl who can do all those amazing things and everyone stops and gasps and stares. I just love it. It's one of those parts of me that will never go away, no matter how old I am, or how long it's been since my last class or performance.

One thing that was really fun to be a part of when I was growing up was the Nutcracker that our company always put on every other year. I had little parts here and there, over the years...nothing show stopping, but still I was part of the show. I knew the scenes and all the various parts. I could hum all the music and nothing pulled me away from sneaking a backstage peak at the pas du deux of the Sugar Plum Fairy and her prince.

This is the part where I tell you how mad I am that I didn't have a camera. And how I would have the perfect shot if I had. Her eyes were about to pop they were so big. And her little lips were completely still.

Last night, I was able to take my little girl, along with several of the girls who dance in our neighborhood dance program, to see the Nutcracker Ballet for the first time. Y'all...she was on the edge of her seat the entire time. Well, on the edge of my lap to be exact. She would lean her head to the side ever so slightly, as to not take her big brown eyes off the stage for a second, and hold her program up in front of her face to whisper back questions to me. These were some of the things I heard over the two hour span,

"Is he going to change with magic, now?" "What are the mice doing?" "Who WINS this fight?" "Does the Nutcracker get hurt?" "Are they going to a new place now?" "Mommy, I can do that!" "When do they start talking?" "That's really hard to hold their mouths closed that long!" "That's really hard on those 'tilts'." "I bet those costumes are scratchy!" "I'll never get bored of this!" And on and on.

It was such a precious time. Truly magical for her little heart, and therefore, for mine as well. We were each so blessed to be able to see this production. Some to have a dream set before them. Others just to experience a beautiful show. But for me, to share something so dear to my heart with someone I love so much...my little mini-me. She was awed and inspired...just as I was, those many years ago.

Thank you, kind sir, for treating us all to such a special gift. It is one that will be remembered for a very long time.

The Wondrous Gift

This advent time for me is always such a gift, though one that can easily pass by me in a rush, without notice, if I'm not careful. More than any other season, I believe that we have opportunities to hear about His coming. However, it definitely doesn't mean that it's easier to listen. With all our concerts, performances, events, music, parties, and not to mention shopping, we barely have time to send out cards, much less take time to actually listen for a silent gift that was given over 2,000 years ago.

The Christ child came in such a way that didn't force anyone to hear, and yet invited all to be a part. He entered into our small and finite world with such vulnerability. Needy, weak, and poor He arrived on a dark night, to a young couple who had no idea how to be parents. And yet, even though more than ever we are needy, weak, and poor, we seldom admit to needing Him. We rush about doing our things, and figuring out our problems, and sometimes stopping to offer a "please do this" prayer. I'm so quick to figure life out myself, and get my needs met however I can, as quickly as possible.

The other day as I was driving, I heard this verse of "O Little Town of Bethlehem"...

"How silently, How silently, the wondrous gift is given.

So God imparts to human hearts, the blessings of His heaven.

No hear may hear His coming, but in this world of sin,

Where meek souls will receive Him still, the dear Christ enters in."

Lord, may I be a meek soul. May I stop and take the time to have you enter in. Not just during the Christmas Eve service. Not just when I'm irritated at the Christmas traffic. But, may I know how much I need you this Christmas, and always.

Trim Up the Tree

We got our Christmas tree last Saturday. This year my hubs really wanted to get out the trains. So after designing a double decker oval track, our tree went up in the middle of it. We decorated it last night, and tonight before bed, my daughter said,

"Let's sing Christmas carols around the Christmas tree. But we have to stand right around it, and we have to hold hands."

I don't know where she gets it from.

A Light Has Dawned

She was totally resistant this morning to get out of the car. She did it, but with the saddest, longest face I've ever seen. I think it was probably the long break...and the fact that we had a fun visitor coming this morning. Something about her standing there with her long face, backpack hanging down like a ton of bricks in her hand, and brush in the other, still refusing to brush her hair, made me ask God for blessing for her. As I drove off, I just couldn't help but beg God for blessing of hope, joy, and encouragement for her. She might not know that it was God blessing her...it may come in the form of a hug from a friend, or a welcome from a teacher, or a smile from a classmate, but 'something, God...would you give her something of joy this morning', is what my prayer became. It reminded me of this passage,

"The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned. You have enlarged the nation and increased their joy...You have shattered the yoke that burdens them, the bar across their shoulders, the rod of their oppressor." Isa. 9:2-3

I'm so thankful that when God gave Isaiah this prophesy about Christ, that it was a message of encouragement. That the reason why He was willing to give up His precious Son, was so that we could live with joy. That we could have our yoke shattered and our burden lifted.

My little longing for her, made me think about how great His longing for us must have been. How completely shadowed our lives are without Christ, and how God must have just yearned so greatly for us to live in light. So greatly, in fact, that He had to bless us. He had to send His Son, because He could no longer stand us to live in darkness. He could no longer endure us "living in the land of the shadow of death". And thus, "unto us a Son is given." (Isa. 9:6) So often in church, we start at that part, but the reason why He had to come, is told in those verses just before. So that His people could be rescued from that "bar across their shoulders. From the rod of their oppressor."

Even though my five year old little girl doesn't realize that's what He can do for her right now, my prayer is that one day, she will see. And that in the mean time, I can be a living example of living in "great light". What other way is there for us to live? We are those whom He has given that dawning of light! We are those whom He came to increase our joy. When I live in a place of fear, defeat, and worry, I only shadow the greatest light that has ever been given. It made me remember this post from a dear friend, written almost a year ago.

I'm excited to enter into this Christmas season with great joy, and once again remember the great light that was given for us.

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!

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.