This Christmas season we: made a gingerbread house, gingerbread men (and women!), Christmas cookies, went to Holiday Lights at the Zoo, read Christmas stories, decorated the Christmas tree, listened to Christmas music, did chocolate advent calendars (one for each kid!) plus our wooden Christmas tree advent calendar, painted snowflakes with puffy paint (Bella and friends), made an ornament with William's hand just like Bella's when she was 2, exchanged presents, celebrated with friends and family, went to church on Christmas Eve. It was a full season!
We also remember why we celebrate Christmas. On Christmas morning, we told Bella that she did not earn or deserve any of the gifts that were wrapped and placed under our tree (ie Santa did not bring her these gifts because she was "good"). We gave them to her because we LOVE her. It brought us joy to think of what she would want to open on Christmas morning. (and our kids are totally spoiled by their grandparents as well!)
Then we explained, God gave the world a wonderful gift. A baby. His Son. Emmanuel, which means "God has come to live with us." We didn't earn it. We couldn't have been good enough to deserve it. He loves us. We are loved with a "never stopping, never giving up, unbreaking, always and forever love" (Jesus Storybook Bible). That's good news for a Merry Christmas!
O come, O come, Emmanuel
And ransom captive Israel
That mourns in lonely exile here
Until the Son of God appear
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, O Israel.
1 comment:
I LOVE this explanation of gifts. What a beautiful way to explain it. Also, you quoted one of my top three Christmas songs!
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