.....yes, there are bikes, wagons, dolls and dress up clothes under the tree......we have joyfully baked today and left Santa our treats.....we have gone to church, read our Christmas stories, opened our traditional Christmas Eve presents......we drizzled reindeer food and magical glitter on the drive way, written Santa our notes and also discussed how great it is that Jesus wants everyone to open gifts on his birthday......we have tucked them all in, drank wine while we wrapped and arranged gifts under the tree.......it's been blissful.....
....but my friend, Amanda summed up this particular Christmas best......
"While driving around doing last-minute Christmas errands this morning - carols blasting in my car and Littles laughing in the back seat - I drove by a woman, who was alone in her car, sobbing. My heart stopped. My perspective changed in an instant. I felt desperately for that woman. Obviously, I don't know her, or her circumstances, but I know what it feels like to be heart-broken; especially in the midst of what is supposed to be a blissfully happy holiday season. And then I remembered. That woman IS the very reason we have a holiday season. Christmas, Jesus' Birthday, is the REASON for the season. God saw how hard this life was for us, that no matter how much we tried to make everything "merry and bright," we still experience pain and suffering. He knew how desperately we needed a Savior - someone who could offer us a gift unlike anything this World could ever provide - a home with no more tears, no more suffering or pain. He offered us Heaven through the hope of His son, Jesus Christ. I'm SO thankful that I have the hope of Heaven to look forward to. I pray this woman would understand the hope that Christ offers her this Christmas. And I pray for every other individual who is suffering this Christmas season - the families in CT, those who have lost, separated/divorced families, the unemployed, the sick, the lonely, the list goes on - that the hope of Christ would shine bright and bring true peace this season. Merry Christmas to all, and to all, a GOOD night!"
......or as my girls would say, "happy birthday, Jesus!"
......this tired elf is checking out.....off to dance with sugar plums......
.....Merry Christmas to all!.....
