The countdown is on in the Heard house! My oldest daughter asks at least 5 times a day how many more days until Christmas in hopes that if she asks enough maybe it will be tomorrow instead of 4-5 days away. She is filled with excitement in the anticipation of gift giving and opening, families feasting, and Santa’s sleigh stopping at our home to deliver her much-awaited toys. I love watching the excitement of Christmas through her eyes. It takes me back to the times in my life where I could not sleep because I was so incredibly excited about Santa, gifts, fun, and family.
As an adult, Christmas can be a little less magical as now I am not sleeping because I am afraid I have forgotten something…did I get gifts for everyone I was supposed to? Did I get all the ingredients for the dishes I am preparing for the four Christmases we are attending? When is Santa going to put together all the toys that are still in brown boxes in my garage? I am holding my breath that none of those are broken because we will have some disappointed little ones.
Nevertheless, even though there are stressors that come along with the holidays, I am beyond excited to see the look on my girls faces on Christmas morning, to feel their excitement exuding from them, to smell the deliciousness of Christmas morning breakfast, to enjoy time with loved ones.
This year I am especially excited for celebrating Him. If you have been with me on this journey through December, I hope your heart feels as prepared as mine to accept Him, celebrate Him, adore Him, worship Him, thank Him, honor Him, and glorify Him. We have compared the versions in the gospel of Jesus’ birth and dug into to understand whom they were writing to and why. We also explored the Old Testament as we became familiar with our family history and discovered the complicated, imperfect lineage of our perfect King.
As Christmas draws near, carve out some one on one time with Him. Sit in front of your beautifully lit Christmas tree and talk with Him, worship Him, be with Him. Carve out some special time where you and your family read the story of His birth together, sing beautiful songs of worship to Him, and give thanksgiving to Him.
Oh how special this season is-to be able to be in His peaceful presence and receive His gift. The greatest gift ever given. His redemptive love and grace. He is offering it to you and me. Will you accept Him? Will you believe? Will you adore Him?
Sweet Father in Heaven, thank You for a woman named Mary who believed You when You spoke to her through an angel and who obeyed without hesitation. Thank You for a man named Joseph who was faithful to his soon to be wife even when circumstances did not seem possible, and who eventually realized that he too was a part of this great plan. Thank You for a beautiful lineage of imperfect people who led us to the manger. Thank You for all of those who followed you and were a part of your beautiful plan to deliver the saving gift of Jesus, the Messiah, the King of kings, the Son of God and Son of Man. Thank you for the person reading this at this very moment-show them Your beautiful love. God, thank You for Him. Thank You for the Greatest Gift. Thank you for Your love. Thank You for Your grace.
‘O Come let us adore Him!
Enjoy the beautiful music and videos as you meet Him this Christmas.
Shared with love,
Lindsay
Meet Me on the Front Porch 