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Wednesday, December 12, 2012

all is calm, all is bright


Luke 2:1-20
"2 In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. (This was the first census that took place while[a] Quirinius was governor of Syria.) And everyone went to their own town to register.



So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.





And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. 11 Today in the town of David a Saviorhas been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. 12 This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”
13 Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,




“Glory to God in the highest heaven,
    and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”
15 When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”
16 So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. 17 When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, 18 and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. 19 But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. 20 The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told."




Did you notice there are no presents under our tree yet?  The main reason for that is because I'm behind on my wrapping : /  But as I thought about it more I realized that I kind of like it that way.  This way we can look at the tree and think about and remember the real reason we celebrate Christmas and not focus on what's underneath the tree (focusing on ourselves and what we want and hope to get for Christmas)  I'll put the Christmas presents out at the last minute before we leave to see family but this way I don't have my toddler thinking all about himself and all the presents he's going to get.  This way I can help him focus on Jesus and HIS birthday.  

And while we are talking about presents we've decided as a family to start doing presents like this:
something they want
something they need
something to wear (jammies on Christmas eve!)
and 
something to read

I've heard of a lot of families doing this and wanted to give it a try!  

2 comments:

  1. I have never heard of that, but strangely enough.. my kids are getting something to read. A bunch of somethings to wear. Something they need. And a few somethings they want! .... well and probably a lot of somethings they want at the Grandparents!

    I had heard about people doing 3 presents from parents. To represent gold, frankincense & myrrh. Then the something from Santa was extra. That was my plan. 3 from us, 1 & stockings from Santa & 1 to be from 2 kids to the other kid. But I ended up with 1 extra per kid!

    And I LOVE how the red on the kids' ornaments pops out on the tree in your pictures!

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  2. I love that idea.. did you get it from Jen Hatmaker by any chance??

    ReplyDelete