The Nativity

I am so enjoying this year with my family...just taking in every bit of each day.

I don't know if this just comes with age or what.. 

but I am finding the most joy in the simple things of life lately.

 I enjoy just being home.  Not feeling the need to go here and there....to shop for this or that.

I'm loving just "being".

And I think contentment is something beautiful.

I am learning to treasure the memories of our family holiday traditions

but also be flexible in making new traditions as our family is growing and with that, bringing change.

 I've had to let go of how "we've always done it"...

 and embrace new things...

like having my future son-n-law sereande us with christmas music the entire time we decorated. 

 How awesome is that?

My girls are spread out with their jobs and stuff and now we have to really work to make sure our family time happens... 

They have boyfriends and fiances whose families wants to spend time with them too...

 But we always enjoy our time together...whether it's a momentous occasion or just hanging out.

I was reminded of something this year as we were pulling out all the Christmas decorations...

A few years back my mom was contemplating whether or not to buy a nativity for a certain family member.  She was worried they weren't making Jesus a priority with their family during Christmas and she was hoping sending them a sweet nativity to set out might help them to be reminded.

My first thought was, "Mom...it's really gonna be "wasted" on them...they just don't get it"...

And no sooner did I think that thought...the Holy Spirit quickly reminded me of something.

You see, there was a time when it was ME that my mom was concerned for about whether or not I was teaching my girls the true meaning of Christmas.  

And my mind went to the package that came in the mail many years before...
Inside was this sweet little nativity that my mom had sent my girls when it was US she was burdened for.

Then I remembered...

At one time I was the one who didn't care about nativities at Christmas.

I was the one who made it ALL about santa and presents.

I was the one who sent my children on the church bus that came through the neighborhood instead of going to church with them.

I was the one who needed to know the true meaning of Christmas.

I was the one who needed a relationship with Jesus.

It is so easy to forget where we came from.

After we have been living for Christ for years and years, it's easy to forget we were once lost.

And it's easy to give up on those who we have been praying for to come to know Christ.

And it is easy to be quick to pass judgment when we see choices other families are making.

I pray that you too are reminded where it is the Lord saved you from.

                               And I pray that we all remember this Christmas it is because of the gift of grace 

that we are what we are and any goodness in us is because of Jesus.

I'm thankful for a mom who loved me enough to send us a nativity even though

we would have rather it been a toy.

I'm sure the neighbors who picked up our kids and brought them to church each Sunday, never imagined  my girls daddy would one day become a pastor and that those little girls would grow up to marry men called into the ministry too.  God is so amazing like that!

Wowza!

Is there anyone you know who needs a nativity?

You never know what God is up to!

Stephanie :)