Christmas Thoughts

I wanted to take a couple of minutes to write down some Christmas thoughts...
If you know only 1 thing in the world about me, I hope it is how much I love my Lord and my family. Ok, 2 things! So Christmas is such a fabulous time at my house. The birth of a child and joy like little children ...the two things I love. And experience, especially at this time of year.
When my children were little, the nativity scene in my house functioned as a reminder. "Baby Jesus" was intentionally not at the manger scene...until He magically appeared on Christmas morning! (except the last 2 years, I hid him ...and can't find him! ) And likewise the 3 Wise Men weren't there either. They would travel around the house...spending time in each kids room, in the bathroom, down the stairs, and eventually making their way to the manger on Epiphany (12th Night or January 6).
Another tradition was at gift time. Money was really tight when the kids were little..and I didn't want Christmas to be only about presents. I read in a magazine about a family that only got 3 gifts each...representing the 3 gifts the wise men brought Jesus. So we started that tradition, and attempt to do that still, into their adult years.
This year for Christmas I asked my kids (told them?) to not get me gifts. Instead, they have given in my name to World Vision and purchased a goat to be sent to a family in need. They didn't necessarily like me not opening gifts, but I really don't care to. Daily it is more important for me to be about God's work of caring for the poor. Just a step. A first step.
Some of you already know, but my husband and I have decided to accept an offer from his company to move to Chicago. While it is exciting to get to move and get to renew old friendships there, it is very sad. Leaving my children, grandchildren, my friends, my church, selling my store...
So it would seem that finding joy this Christmas would be a little tougher. But not so.. it is because I have the hope found in the birth of the Christ Child, my Savior, that I know it's not about me. It's not about you. It's about Jesus, and celebrating Him. Immanuel...Christ is with us.
So my prayer is that each of you will find time to sit and consider what Christ has meant in your life...all He has done, given, loved. And in response to His love, reach out to someone who is maybe not feeling that love right now. And Love Them Like Jesus!

Merry Christmas &
Keep Dreamin,


Pam