Christmastime is here!

Hey y’all!

It’s been two weeks! I’m ready to dust off my keyboard and be back for good. 

If you’re like me you're in full-on Christmas mode which also means advent! I’ve grown up always entering into advent before Christmas. It’s such an expectant time of year as we wait for our Savior! Advent has a way of drawing you so close to God. It always takes me back to just how miraculous the coming of Christ was and how incredible it will be when He returns.

Growing up I was the one in the house that would beg my parents to decorate for Christmas on like November 1st. I was so desperate to get the tree up, hang the ornaments, and display the collection of nutcrackers around the house. I also had many failed attempts at trying to get my dad to hang lights outside. My parents are not a bunch of grinches, I just really love Christmas and want to hold onto it as long as I can. 

Every year when we would decorate the tree my dad and I had a tradition. When I was little my parents bought me a beautiful Snow White ornament and every year my dad would lift me up high to hang it on the tippy top of the tree. This continued into teenage years and the hands were soon replaced with a chair but it’s still so special to me. 

Caleb and I are hosting Christmas for our first time this year. When you get married you merge every detail of your lives, this includes Christmas traditions. Caleb grew up having a real Christmas tree every year. I did not. When I was a baby my parents decided to have a real Christmas tree in the house and I broke out into a rash all over my body! This year I am asking for prayers because Caleb is insistent on having a real tree. I’ll let you know if the rash ensues. 

What I’m really looking forward to is starting my own traditions with Caleb. Traditions that are unique to our family and that will be passed on year to year. The Christmas season really brings out the sentimental side of me and I find advent having the same effect. Going through an advent study or devotional brings me back to the core of my Father’s heart. It reminds me of the extravagant love He pours out on me each and every day and the sacrifice He made by sending His Son to this earth. 

So this year as you get ready for Christmas I invite you to pause. Don’t rush to fill up your calendars with parties or stress over a perfectly decorated home. Take a breath and remember the “real reason for the season”, the true homemaker, Jesus. He put on flesh and made earth His home just for us and one day He will give us new flesh and take us to our true home. So let this weary world rejoice as we look forward to the coming of our Savior, Jesus!