December

 I just love December.  

Advent.  Expectation.  Anticipation.  Tradition.  

Lights.  Beauty.  Smells.  Warmth.  

All of it.  Every year in October or November I pull out a notebook and start to plan.  

It used to be a frenzied "get it all done," but has formed into more of a "slow and steady" out of conviction and necessity to make the first things first.

But even still, sometimes it just doesn't feel very slow or peaceful when extras are added in.  Especially with four kids.  

#wetried

But really, we did try to make the first things the first things this season of advent.  

We talked about gifts a LOT.  Because what kid doesn't like to talk about gifts?  It's really pretty perfect when you think about it, because we were given the most PERFECT gift.

  And that is what we celebrate at Christmas.  We give gifts because we were given THE gift.  The Father of good gifts sent his one and only Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, to be condemned for our sin. (Romans 8)  

And we get to remember and celebrate and cherish the perfect gift.  

So we pick good gifts for friends and family.  And talk about the gift giver.

And we bake treats and goodies and share them with family and friends.  

And talk about the Bread of Life.  

And we sing songs that explain JOY to the world.

That the Lord has come!  

And we look at the lights.  Because Jesus is the light of the world!

And we do silly things, smell the smells, taste the tastes, read the books, play the games, share the stories, and cozy in together because His Kingdom comes in the way we celebrate!