I cannot believe it’s Christmas time already!! Personally I definitely have been listening to Christmas music since October… So in case you couldn’t tell, I LOVE Christmas! It’s my favorite holiday. The decorations, the colors, the snow and my favorite, Christmas cookies:)
Today as my family and I were decorating for Christmas, I couldn’t help but be filled with joy. With Christmas music playing in the background, my brother decorating the tree, my mom enjoying the scenery with a warm cup of tea and my dad putting lights up outside. When I think about Christmas time, I think about family and friends, music, family traditions and of course, presents. Sometimes people can get all wrapped up, (much like our presents, haha) in getting the best deals on a toy or stressing out about family situations, that a lot of us forget the true meaning of Christmas: Jesus’ birth. Jesus was sent to this earth to live, then die on the cross for all of our sins. “She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.” Matthew 1:21 Now I’m not saying you can’t enjoy the things that come with Christmas such as the presents and decorations. I’m just saying this as a reminder to not forget the real meaning of the season.
One of my favorite Christmas traditions happens on Christmas day. My whole family wakes up, usually to me jumping up and down squealing that it’s Christmas. Then we all gather together, in our Christmas pj’s obviously, and we go sit by our tree to which Santa has left presents under:). But before we open those gifts, we take a few minutes to put the last couple ornaments on the tree. Now these ornaments are not your normal ornaments. They are little ornaments with a whole lot of meaning. The ornaments consist of baby Jesus, a dove, a cross, a loaf of bread and fish, and the bible. Each one of my family members picks one out and we each share a tidbit about each object and explain why they are important/significant. For example last year I picked the loaf of bread and fish. I said that this is a reminder of how Jesus fed 5,000 men with a little boys lunch: five loaves and two fish. This is a reminder that Jesus will provide everything we need, and He won’t leave us.
As I sit here typing this, it’s starting to sink in that I will not be with my family and friends for Christmas next year. That is so crazy to think about!! Instead I will be 9,000 miles away from them all in Thailand, with my amazing group of people that have already brought so much encouragement and joy into my life!!
What’s your favorite Christmas tradition? – leave comment below if you’d like!
