The Greatest Gift

Last year we started a tradition that we have really enjoyed. I got the idea when we began getting all the extra advertisements last year for "Christmas." I wanted to think of something to help our kids realize how many things God has already given to us and not be so hungry for more "things." I had them think of things they were thankful for that cannot be bought or wrapped. They thought of things like family, friends, a warm house, I even let them add some things like warm jammies and toys. I wrote out 25 things and wrapped them up in 25 boxes and put them under the tree. It was exciting each night after family devotions to pick a "gift" to open. We would take out the slip of paper, read it and take turns thanking God for His gifts. The 25th box was the gift of Jesus.
This simple activity has been helpful even to me to remember in this time of getting and giving to give Him thanks for what He has already so generously showered upon us.
The last gift is ideally opened before we open our family presents. Since we are with extended family on Christmas Day, we skipped ahead this year and even though it wasn't the 25th, we still opened our last gift before we gave each other presents. This year along with the words "Jesus ~ the greatest gift of all," I wrapped a nativity scene that Mom gave us especially for our "gifts." It was in a box with a bow that unfolded into a manger scene. It was sweet to watch the children's excitement as they opened the "gift" and talked about what a great gift Jesus really is. They gazed at that little nativity scene as Chuck read the Christmas story.
Thank you God for your indescribable gift!

A Prayer at Christmas

This prayer is so beautiful and rich, I just had to share! I have been enjoying this amidst the excitement of this time of year. It is untitled and the author is unknown, but the words have continued to stir my heart since I first read them.

What shall I render to Thee for the gift of gifts,
Thine own dear Son, begotten, not created,
My Redeemer, proxy, surety, substitute,
His self-emptying incomprehensible,
His infinity of love beyond the heart's grasp.

Herein is wonder of wonders:
He came below to raise me above,
Was born like me that I might become like Him.

Herein is love;
When I cannot rise to Him He draws near on wings of grace,
To raise me to Himself.

Herein is power;
When Deity and humanity were infinitely apart
He united them in indissoluble unity,
The uncreated and the created.

Herein is wisdom;
When I was undone, with no will to return to Him,
And no intellect to devise recovery,
He came, God-incarnate, to save me to the uttermost,
As man to die my death,
To shed satisfying blood on my behalf,
To work out a perfect righteousness for me.

O God, take me in spirit to the watchful shepherds,
And enlarge my mind;
Let me hear good tidings of great joy,
And hearing, believe, rejoice, praise, adore
My conscience bathed in an ocean of repose,
My eyes uplifted to a reconciled Father;
Place me with ox, ass, camel, goat,
To look with them upon my Redeemer's face,
And in Him account myself delivered from sin;
Let me with Simeon clasp the new-born child to my heart,
Embrace Him with undying faith,
Exulting that He is mine and I am His.
In Him Thou hast given me so much more
That heaven can give no more.

A Puritan prayer

Why I am NOT a Photographer

Thanksgiving...finaly

I'm sad to say I forgot to break out my camera for most of our Thanksgiving trek to my parent's house. We had such a great time! The 11 hour trip there went rather smoothly.
Once we were there, I guess we were too busy to take time to pause for pictures! We did snap a few when my cousins came over for our Thanksgiving meal. One of my twin cousins, Andy had a baby on the same day as Anna. They were sooo cute together sitting in Mom's big chair. I think they were almost mesmerized by each other.

Then I had to catch Jake and Cade who are also around the same age. But Cade was too smart for his Aunt Kim (or too much like his daddy) and every time I got ready to snap the picture, he had to fix something in his nose!! They still were pretty cute.

We had a wonderful meal, but most of all we had great fellowship and a chance to testify to the many blessings given us by our Great God!