Another Christmas has come and gone. This year we had so much fun telling Audrey about Santa Claus. In the days before Christmas she would remind us that we were going to set out milk and cookies for him and she was always be careful to add, “And I won’t even have to see him, though!” She loves the idea of Santa, but isn’t thrilled with seeing him in person. Our neighborhood had a Santa come to all of the houses one evening and Audrey freaked out when he rang our doorbell.
After that incident we didn’t push the whole sitting on Santa’s lap thing. We didn’t want to traumatize her for life!
The Saturday before Christmas, we made the trip down to “the country” to see Grandma and Paw Paw and Grandpa, Tammy & Nicole. Needless to say, the girls were spoiled rotten and received lots of fun gifts. It was wonderful to see so many people at Skip and Diane’s. The highlight of the day was Audrey riding the “pony,” otherwise known as Uncle Jimmy’s leg (video coming, soon). Anna, of course, was held to her little heart’s content as she got to meet many of her great aunties and her Great Grandma.
We celebrated Christmas Eve with Angie, Ted, Sam & Leah coming over for lunch and then Christmas Eve service at Messiah. It’s was a beautiful service and wonderful reminder of the miraculous birth we celebrate. Christmas Eve is my favorite worship service every year. It’s not just the familiar hymns or the magical candlelight. Rather, it’s the peace that overcomes me in knowing that the creator of the universe has a master plan that involves me having an eternal home. To look back through ages past and get a glimpse of a baby in a manger – the Savior of the world being born in a lowly barn. It’s an unfathomable, yet beautiful scene that we relive every year to remember that God is the one in control. We may not understand his ways, but we can count on his love.
Christmas day was fabulous beginning with Santa’s kind thank you note and continuing through a fun celebration at our home with Nana, Gramps, all the Aunties and Uncle Mitch. I’ve never seen so many presents or had so much food on my counter! It was scrumptious to say the least. Audrey’s very own digital camera was a hit, along with the puppet theater Nana made, and the pony that Audrey somehow named “doobie.” Where she got that, I do not know…should I be worried?!?
In the afterglow of such wonderful celebrations, I’m so very grateful for all my blessings. Christmas may only come once a year, but the “gifts” in my life last all year long.
