Christmas is 2 days away and we are, for the most part, READY! I'm not saying everything is perfect because that would be a lie. There are a couple gifts I'm not completely satisfied with and the baking is certainly not what my grandmother is capable of (have I mentioned I HATE to bake?), and I'm sure I'll think of something last minute that I forgot, but I've quit with preparations so we can be still and enjoy. Tom does not have to work on Christmas this year although he can't leave town, thus we are stuck here and had planned on this being the first Christmas we would be by ourselves. The bittersweet surprise is that Tom's parents, who were supposed to be celebrating with the rest of the family in Wisconsin, ended up making a trip to Florida for a funeral. So, the good news for us it that they are celebrating Christmas here and we won't be alone after all....although we are so, so sad for the loss.
This month we've been reading Tabitha's Travels each night along with lots of other favorite Christmas stories. I made the boys read a bunch of the Christmas American Girl books because they offer a perspective of Christmas' past. They weren't thrilled but they ended up thinking they weren't that bad. ;) The Vanderbleeks of 141st Street is another book we've enjoyed. My mantra stays true...So many books and so little time. We have next year to finish the ones we didn't get to this year.
Anyway, we've watched Christmas movies, Cade has made Christmas crafts, the boys all helped with making a few treats, they shopped for gifts for each other and we went to A Bethlehem Walk which we always enjoy. Cade was very interested in the Bethlehem Walk this year and we went into the stable to see Baby Jesus twice and spent the rest of the time convincing Cade the Roman Solider was not going to capture him. ;) For the past couple of days Tucker has been here with us and the boys have loved having him. I set up a tent in the living room to keep them occupied while I got stuff done so 3 boys and a dog in and one or two person tent has been interesting. We've only had one bloody lip so far so I 'm calling that a win since they've played there for the better part of two days. I'm not sure Tucker would call the situation a win though. He doesn't seem to be a big fan of the tent but he's persuaded to go in for bits of time if the boys give him lots of treats. I've been busy wrapping presents and keeping secrets. Tomorrow I'm hoping to squeeze in another Hallmark style Christmas Movie because I've just seen one so far. Tom and I did watch Die Hard last night because it's a Christmas Classic.😂
In short I've been pondering on God in human form and the depth of meaning this has. I could write a book about this and many people have. God in human form is the peace that has answered my deepest questions as of late and it's the culmination of everything the Old Testament prepared us for. He is Emanuel. He is God with Us. It's unspeakably amazing.
Christmas means illumination and spiritual light from God. It means reconciliation and peace with God by grace. Christmas is God taking on human nature. Christianity is something done for you and to you and in you. There is constant surprise and wonder in that.
Let us love and sing and wonder,
Let us praise the Savior's name.
He has hushed the law's loud thunder,
He has quenched Mount Sinai's flame.
He has washed us with his blood
He has brought us nigh to God.
-John Newton
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| Making Christmas treats and dressed as Optimus Prime. |
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| See that hungry dragon that paid a visit to baby Jesus? |
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| Making Nativity Suncatchers |
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| You can never read too many Christmas stories. |
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| The Bethlehem Walk |
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| It took some coaxing but Cade decided he could be brave enough to get his picture taken with a Roman. |
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| Gingerbread Stickers |
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| This is Santa's Workshop. Deep in the depths of my 101 year old basement. 😉iden, who is my do-gooder, was personally offended I felt the need to use a padlock. But, while Aiden may be a rule follower, he is also the world's sluthiest child. If there is mystery, he can't leave it alone. I have evidence this child as been trying to see if he can find the combination to this lock. |
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| Their favorite book. The Sweet Smell of Christmas. We do it every year and this year they've talked me into it more than once. |
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| This is what you do when your child changes his mind about what he wants from Santa after you've already paid Santa a visit. Santa usually comes through. Somehow. |
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| Making treats. I spend the rest of the day chiseling the almond bark mess off my counters. It's kind of sad because I'm baking impaired so for the time it took to make treats it feels like they should be beautiful...but they aren't. They are messy. But Tom says this is all about the memories. I feel like I could survive without Christmas baking memories. ;) None of those memories are that good and the mess felt more like a nightmare. 😉 |
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