Merry Christmas from Our Little Family to Yours!

Photos by Merry Studios

Card Design by TriciaNae Designs

Before I say anything else, let me just make something clear... I don't like it when people use the verse "unto us a child is born" on their Christmas cards (or any time) with a photo of their new baby. *If you did this, I don't think YOU are absurd, but the idea (in my humble opinion) most definitely IS. I mean, I think my baby is awesome; BUT, trust you me, he is no King of Kings, Emmanuel. ;) So... don't read this and think I'm all "we are just like Mary and Joseph and baby Jesus," we aren't. (For starters, Mary was a virgin... But we won't go there.) That said, I've had an interesting perspective on Christmas this year as I experience it as a young, new mom to a baby boy....

I've thought a lot about what these days must have been like for Mary - travelling, pregnant, riding on a donkey (the misery), and THEN having to deliver her baby in a barn (talk about the birth plan going awry).  For all intensive purposes, this was AWFUL timing for the SAVIOR to be born... BUT, God knew what he was doing... 

"But when the time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under law, to redeem those under law, that we might receive the full rights of sons." -Galatians 4:4-5

That's been the story of this past year for us.  One year ago tomorrow, I announced my pregnancy to the blog world.  Although we were SO excited; I'd be lying if I said I didn't question God's timing.  BUT, if I've learned anything this year, it's that His timing is always perfect. 

We have a lot of traditions and "fun stuff" we want to do this year as we celebrate Christmas.  I'm all about gift-giving, decorating, over-eating, and the magic of Santa & his reindeer... BUT, more than that, I want our Christmas to be about that little wrinkly baby boy born next to sheep and wrapped in swaddling clothes 2000 years ago... And his mom, who was faithful and gentle and "treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart." (Luke 2:19)

Having a son makes me appreciate God's sacrifice SO much more... And, for maybe the first time, I understand what a gift it is that because of Jesus, I, too, am loved like a son.  THAT, my friends, is a reason to celebrate.

Merry Christmas!