Today, Isabella and I took down all our pretty Christmas decorations and we finished putting away all our special gifts.
As I reflected back on the Christmas season, I know that this is one Christmas our little family will always remember! Two years ago, we were walking through some of the darkest days as I miscarried for the second time on New Year's Day of '09. It was such a challenge that year to decorate for Christmas, wrap pretty gifts and have that "holiday cheer." My heart was longing for a healthy baby.......and the doctors weren't able to tell us why I kept losing my babies. Although that was a difficult Christmas, the Lord was so faithful to give us peace that surpassed our understanding, faith to persevere and hope for the future.
I can say with a heart that overflows with thanksgiving, this Christmas was quite different than two years ago.........because this year we had a beautiful baby girl to celebrate Jesus' birthday with! What joy it brought me to introduce her to our special nativity set..........to let her hold our baby Jesus figurine......to see the light in her eyes when she woke from her nap to find a beautifully lit Christmas tree for the first time.......so very special.
We spent a week with Jeremy's family....and then spent a long weekend with my family up in Tennessee. We made a little detour through Atlanta to have a lunch date with some of my dearest friends. I met these precious friends when my family moved to Atlanta (I was 10). We were in a small group Bible study together through middle school and high school and have continued to share such a special friendship over the years. This was the first time all of our sweet babies met each other! I pray that my Isabella will be blessed with friendships as sweet as these.....a gift that only the Lord can give her!
Seven babies all under the age of 3!!!
I know we will all treasure the time we spent together and the memories we shared together. Here are a few pics from Christmas....
In front of our Church Christmas tree...
Full of hugs on Christmas morning...
The best little gift ever...
All dressed up and ready for church!
Love her...
One of the most meaningful evenings for me this Christmas season was on Dec. 30th. All of my family headed to the Orange Bowl.....while Mamma, Bella and I stayed home. We figured 30 degree weather would not make for the most enjoyable evening with a 9 month old baby! =)
Mamma, Bella and I enjoyed dinner together while we watched "The Nativity." It came out a few years ago, but I had never watched it. I highly recommend it!!! The whole nativity story really hit home with me more than ever now that I've experienced pregnancy, birth and motherhood. As I watched the movie there were several things I took away from the various aspects of the first Christmas....
Mary - She was so pure, virtuous and blameless. I found myself asking - "If the Lord was searching the earth for a Godly girl to use in a mighty way - would He choose me....and would He find me faithful?" Mary had faith in God's plan that was beyond her understanding.....She trusted and obeyed immediately to all He had called her to do.......I pray the Lord finds me faithful even in my day to day tasks that seem so ordinary and I pray that I am sensitive to His still, small voice.
Joseph - He was an upright, God-fearing man who loved those around Him. He was also so obedient - even when society ridiculed he and Mary (her being pregnant outside of marriage). I pray that I will have a heart that trusts the Lord's plan even when I don't understand.
Shepherds - They were pretty much the most ordinary of society....not wealthy.......not powerful. But, to think that God chose them to be the first visitors to worship baby Jesus. They were just being faithful to their task of shepherding.......and God blessed them! They had great humility. Their eagerness to meet Jesus, worship Him and adore Him - I pray for that daily!
Wise Men - I was reminded when I saw the Wise Men giving gifts to Jesus that He is the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. How often we forget to bring Him the honor He so deserves. It breaks my heart when I think about how so many people treat Jesus like He is just a man....nothing special. Oh I pray that we will adore Him for who He is, love Him and seek to live our lives giving Him the glory He deserves from us!
I could go on and on.....but those were the most important parts of the Nativity that ministered to me this Christmas season.
I'll close my blog with this sweet picture......
As we loaded up the car to head back to Pensacola, Isabella rested so peacefully on my daddy's shoulder. This sweet picture is just a reminder to me of how my Jesus longs to hold me and carry me through life. Life's not always easy....there will be sickness and difficulty along the way - but my Jesus is always there to carry me through every step of the way. What a sweet image to keep in mind as we start a New Year.......I pray that as a family we can have peace this year that is not of the world - but a peace that only Jesus Christ gives as we seek to obey Him and bring glory to His name.
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