The Advent of Christmas

I love Christmas. I love the decorations and the celebrations and buying gifts for all the people I love.

We try to make time for Christmas parades and charitable shopping as a family. I love the baking—which my daughter does so well. And the eating—which I do way too well. I love a crackling fire on a cold winter’s night, a Christmas movie or music playing, a hot drink in my hand.

I love traditions. Some of our traditions come from my family of origin. Things like the candy-tied-on countdown to Christmas calendars my kids use that are just like the one I used as a child and setting each child’s Santa gifts and stocking in a different part of the living room on Christmas morning.

Some come from my husband’s family. Like opening a gift on Christmas Eve.

Others are all our own. Like attending a Christmas Eve service and watching our store of Christmas movies through the month of December.

Most of all, I love watching those around me enjoy the sparkle and wonder and laughter that tends to abound in December. I love imaging the birth of my Savior on a starry night in a rude stable, Mary and Joseph trembling with awe and probably more than a little fear.

I even love waxing nostalgic about the past year as it wanes, remember the goodness of God in bringing us through times of trial as well as times of abundant blessing.

So my prayer for you—and for all of us—is that the wonder and joy of Christ’s birth be evident all season long. And that it would amaze us in new and surprising ways.