Chapter 24: Merry Christmas!!!!

I know y'all must get sick of reading about me crying. I write this blog tonight with tears of joy streaming down my face. I am overwhelmed. For years I have dreamed of this moment. It's a typical hectic Christmas Eve night for so many families. We stayed out late visiting with family, we came home and rushed to prepare for Santa's visit. As I type, Santa's elf Daniel is in the living room blowing up a 4 foot princess castle ball pit. The cutest pink stocking has been filled to the top with goodies, and chocolate chip cookies have been placed on the sweetest Christmas platter. This is so exciting! I think maybe I am more excited about this visit from Santa than I ever was as a kid. I know it may seem silly and Dani Marie won't remember this Christmas, but her daddy and I will never forget it. It isn't really the presents, cookies, stockings, or toys, but it's the joy. A kind of happiness that fills your whole heart.

My prayer tonight is for the families who aren't busy preparing for Santa to visit. The ones who like us for so many years woke up to a quiet house. I have been burdened about the recent events involving the school shooting that horrified our nation. My heart breaks for the families who had already prepared for Christmas with children they no longer have here. This night will be unimaginably difficult for them. I'm lifting those sweet families up to God in prayer during this difficult time.

I say all this to simply share what I am reminded of this year. Whether you will spend the morning watching bright eyed kids laugh, giggle, and rip into way too many presents, or you will sit quietly soaking in a Christmas that is not as happy as some in years past~please stop and remember the reason for the season. The same God who has blessed us this year beyond measure. Who despite our lack of faithfulness and our human hearts, delivered to us our greatest blessing in the most miraculous way. He is the same God who comforts those who grieve over lost loved ones, quiet homes, and broken dreams. There is HOPE in Christmas. The manger, not Santa, is where our HOPE lies.

These thoughts are humbling me tonight, and helping me to put this Christmas into perspective.

We are overjoyed to be preparing for Santa to visit our home tonight, but we are anxiously awaiting his visit~because of the birth of the King. God's perfect plan and mercy and grace have brought us to this incredible Christmas moment. This picture says it best.....

 

From our family to yours~MERRY CHRISTMAS!