Monday, December 5, 2011

Loving the Christmas Season!

Oh, how I love Christmas.  There is a hint of sadness in our celebration this year, but it makes me even more thankful for what my Savior has done for me.  The Christmas story is a beautiful celebration of birth, hope, and love that we sometimes miss in the hustle and bustle of the season.

Right after Thanksgiving we decorated our apartment for Christmas.  Sometimes I wish it could be decorated for Christmas all year long until I get to do it all over again.  I love seeing the transformation, the twinkling lights, and all the colors and memories that come along with them.  Both of us have ornaments on our trees given to us when we were little and decorations scattered around that come with a sweet memory of our wonderful parents and Christmases before.  Last week and this weekend, Aaron and I transformed my classroom into a Christmas wonderland complete with tree and many decorations.  I love seeing the wonder on the kids' faces as they stare at the lights during rest time.  Beautiful.

When people used to ask me what my favorite holiday was, I would always say my birthday.  Since I have become an adult, I always say Christmas.  It's a beautiful time where we can celebrate the message of our faith so tangibly, spend time with those we love, and snuggle up under a warm blanket with a mug of hot chocolate.  Bliss!

My challenge for myself (and you if you'll join me) this Christmas season is to put Jesus first.  Find some way each day in the midst of your celebrating to spend time with the Savior, the Creator, the sweet baby in the manger.  I don't want to miss this by going through this beautiful time of year with an emptiness of celebrating all the fluff without Jesus.  What a tragedy that would be.

I hope you will be drawn deeper in your relationship with Jesus these next few weeks leading up to Christmas.  If you do not have a relationship with Jesus, I pray this will be the Christmas you will surrender to the God of the universe who became the baby in the manger in order to take away our sins.  That is the best Christmas gift we will ever receive. 

I would love if you would comment and share a Christmas tradition you enjoy each year with your family.  My favorite that Aaron & I have is every Christmas eve at midnight, we give each other an ornament for our tree.  I always look forward to giving and receiving a new treasure that will become linked to a sweet memory with my man.

1 comments:

David said...

We do an advent calender with a Bible verse every day and a fun treat and activity. We do St. Nick and exchange presents Christmas morning and we also each get an ornament every year.

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