I love the ambiance that a
Christmas tree brings to the entire month of December. I know it's not
about the tree or the decorations, but the ambiance does something to me that's
invigorating! The smell of spruce, or pine, or whatever it is, has such
an effect on my mood. Waking up in the
dark mornings to a tree that's lit up puts me in a state of reflection and
contentment. Weird, I know.
Usually, the reflection time doesn't last long though, as I quietly sneak my cup
of coffee and try to pray a few sentences of thanksgiving. Within 15
minutes, without fail, Lily lets me know she's awake in her crib upstairs.
She has a mommy-radar, I just know it. She can sense when I leave
my bedroom! I can’t get mad though because she gets that trait from me. I never want to miss out on anything. At least I still have a few moments to myself
when she naps. I'm grateful for that.
This weekend I made cookies,
and Lily helped. When I say she "helped", I mean she didn't cry
the entire time :) She sat in her Bumbo on the counter playing with
measuring cups and plastic bowls as I whipped up some tasty treats. When
she got bored with that, I put her in the living room, and she played quietly
for a solid 20 minutes without a peep! I was amazed. That doesn’t happen often, but when it does
I’m appreciative.
It has been fun decorating for
Christmas this year! It's the first year in a very long time that we're
staying home for the holidays. We are looking forward to it. Not
sure what our plans are yet, but I’m excited to start our own family
traditions! We put our tree up on Black
Friday, and I've been doing little bits of decoration ever since. I am
enjoying having a home to decorate! It is such a blessing.
To kick off the season, we had
a little Christmas party last weekend with several of our closest friends. A friend helped me make a snowman cut out as
a game for the kids, and I used cardboard to make some props for a DIY photo
booth. Mike and I planned a treasure hunt for the kids too. We also
did a gift swap and enjoyed hot chocolate and some good laughs together.
Just last night, to continue
spreading the cheer, our family delivered the baked goods we made to each of
our neighbors! Lily was dressed in my infant Christmas PJs with her Santa
hat. She looked so darling, and she was
so happy to be out and about past her bedtime visiting with all the
neighbors!
We were invited to a
Christmas Eve “open house” across the street, and we’re looking forward to
it. We introduced ourselves to the
couple that lives behind us who’s in closest ear shot of Lily’s cries, and then
we sat by a koi pond in the backyard of a widow who lives kitty corner to us--sipping
Pepsi and swapping stories. We’re so
thankful to have such sweet neighbors.
 |
| Me: 1984 Lily: 2014 |
Most of all this season, I’m
thankful for our Savior. It’s because of
him that we are able to enjoy these blessings.
Christ took on flesh for our sakes.
He became something tangible so that we could understand perfection, and
our lack of it.
I am a terrible Christ
follower. I lack spiritual
discipline. I’m fickle and shallow. I care too much what people think. Thank GOD my actions (or lack of them), don’t
affect Christ’s love for me! I’m glad it’s
his perfection that saves me. And
finally, I’m thankful that he continues to beckon me. He beckons me to get out of the rut I so
often find myself stuck in, and look to the cross. I pray that we would not get so blinded by
the ambiance of Christmas and the feel-good sentiments this year that we forget what a sacrifice it was to become flesh. Even if you don’t have much time to reflect,
just lift your heart before the Lord.
“Even before a word is on my tongue, you know it completely O Lord.” Psalm 139:4
May your days be...
