The Wonder of Christmas

Christmas time is upon us! I can easily say that this is one of my most favorite times of the year. I love all the cozy decorations and lights. I love spending time with family and friends. I love all the fun Christmas movies to watch (I am a HUGE White Christmas fan). But, even if you took all these things away, what makes this time of year so special to me is that is points me to focus on my Savior. What a wonder this is! A tiny baby---completely God and completely man came into the world! Since the fall of Adam, God has been setting the stage, pointing all human kind to their desperate need of a Savior. No man has been able to save wholly and completely. No man has been able to save completely from the sin that eternally separates us from a Holy God. And then one unsuspecting night, Jesus is born. Immanuel, God with us! A savior has entered the World. It is not trumpeted to the world's important rules and leaders, but to poor shepherds in a field. He was not born in a palace with all worldly comforts but in a stable. He came not to live but to die and be raised again. No greater gift has ever been given. The gift of God's own son; the gift of Jesus, the Way to salvation.

This year, Christmas has taken on an entirely new meaning as I am now thinking what traditions I want to start with our daughter. I think back to my childhood. I remember every Christmas Eve, after visiting my grandparents, we would drive around and look at Christmas lights, go home and open up new Christmas pajamas to wear, and read the story of Jesus' birth. We would go to bed so anxious for the next morning. And when Christmas morning came, my mom always made a "Happy Birthday, Jesus" cake and we lit candles and sang Happy Birthday to Jesus. These are wonderful memories! I love them. And, I want my daughter to have these same kind of wonderful memories too. I want these memories to point her to Jesus. I want her excitement to be an anticipation for celebrating her Savior. I want to teach her that we have such a special time of year because, and only because, of Jesus. It has been so exciting for me as I have researched what traditions to start with Cara. There are so many wonderful ways to celebrate in a way that points to our Savior....Advent (Advent candles and calendars), and the Jesse Tree, and combinations of the two among many. I think by next year we will have some exciting new traditions to start with our little one. :)

But, until then, my heart is still striving to fight against the hustle and bustle of this time of year and celebrate my Savior. There is one song that has become a favorite of mine in recent years. It is a song written from Mary's prospective and reminds me of this longing fulfilled...a Savior has come to us. What joy fills my heart! Hallelujah, indeed! We have been found!

Hallelujah (Light Has Come) by Barlow Girls

Hmmmm my Baby. Heaven sent you to me. All the worlds been praying,... Who will save? But who am I? That here tonight. I hold the One. Who'll bring us life.

Hallelujah! We've been found. A Child is born to save us now.
Hallelujah! Light has come. A Savior who will set us free. A promise for those who believe.

Do you hear the angels? Sing for You my baby? Men and Kings have come to bow to you.
But here in my arms, so close to me. The son of God. Now all can see.

Hallelujah! We've been found. A Child is born to save us now, Jesus.
Hallelujah! Light has come. A Savior set us free.
So praise to God on high. He has heard our cry.
So praise to God on high. He has heard our cry.
Hallelujah!