December 25

It's hard to believe that it's that time of year already!  Christmas really snuck up on me this year.  Last year I had all my shopping done by the 1st of November and had all my decorations out the day after Thanksgiving.  This year you'll have to squint to see any form of a Christmas decoration and I just got finished with my gift shopping this past Saturday.  Presents just got wrapped and put under the tree last night.  I do have to say I am pretty proud that my husband braved the depths of our storage unit to drag out our tree. Thankfully the lights were already on the branches and they were all working!  I didn't dare ask him to find the tub of ornaments or other holiday spirit.  

I get a lot of flack about our Christmas tree each year that I put it up.  Being type "A" personality I like things clean, crisp and in order.  I love my tree.  It may be skinny and not very tall but I think that gives it it's wonderful character.  Things are a little abnormal this year as I see it has a little lean to it and it isn't in the "perfect" spot, but instead put against any old wall right next to the other random things shoved in the corner.  If I had it my way there wouldn't be colored lights either.  Colored lights are by my husbands request and I decided I could give in to that as long as I get to keep my beloved tree.  

Remembering that it isn't about what's under the tree but that the season is all about this...

Luke 2:1-20

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 Quirinius was governor of Syria.) And everyone went to his 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 room for them in the inn.

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. But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger."

Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, 
"Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests." 

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."

So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them.

But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.

Merry Christmas, I hope your season is filled with love and joy!