Happy Birthday, Jesus!

We celebrated Christmas in our happy, cozy home. We did not prepare a special breakfast or lunch, didn't travel anywhere, or even bake this year. We enjoyed time together as our little family. We celebrated as we taught our kids of Jesus' birth, we sang songs to Him, we thanked Him.

We witnessed the excitement on each other's faces as we gave gifts to one another.

We played......all day long.

It was wonderful.

 

Jesus is the reason.

 

 

Andrew enjoyed his first Christmas!
He got a "Ballcano" and some other fun toys.

Here he is with the truck that Hudson picked out for him.

Hannah had two special surprise gifts for Mommy and Daddy.
One was a 2013 Calendar personalized with her picture and a poem and special painted hand print picture for every month-- her fingers making a snowflake for January, her palm making a heart for February, etc.
The other gift was a coffee mug that she painted a Christmas tree on and wrote "Merry Christmas 2012".
She was very proud and so were Mommy and Daddy.

 

We're so thankful to God for sending Jesus to be born a baby, live as a man, and die a sacrificial death on our behalf.

 

"Silent night! Holy night! Son of God, love's pure light

Radiant beams from thy holy face, with the dawn of redeeming grace,

Jesus, Lord, at thy birth, Jesus, Lord, at thy birth."

We should sing that third verse more often.

 

We're also so very thankful to God for all that He's given us here on earth. We have no idea why He has chosen to bless us so abundantly, but recognize that we have many gifts we don't deserve, like our children. Their smiles and laughter enrich our lives beyond what we ever thought possible. What amazing gifts!