Christmas

Merry Christmas!

We had a wonderful Christmas. Jack and I flew home on the 20th. He had his own seat, which made traveling so much easier. We spent a couple days with Grandpa Jeff and Grandma. We had a great time together, then we headed north to Winona and Jack got sick, but he was alright, we spent a couple of days with Grandma and Grandpa. We went to Christmas Eve service and had our first Christmas on Christmas Eve morning. He was sooo excited to get some Thomas toys from Grandma and Papa. We spent Christmas Day with Great Grandparents. First the Snyders then the Sweatlands, then we left for Ohio and went to Great Grandma Coldren's house for one more Christmas. That day included lots and lots of presents :) Tractors, cars, curious george, trucks, toolboxes, many things of wonder for a 2 year old. We spent the next day with Olivia (my cousin, Jack loves loves loves Olivia) The next day we spent at the Barlow family Christmas. One thing I really really love is that we did family worship time (3 months to 79 years) singing and reflecting on the true meaning of Christmas, the real relationship that is available to us in Jesus Christ.

We also did a show and tell time where each family did a short power point of their year so that we could see what has gone on with each wing of the family. It is such a joy to be from a family that shares openly about our relationships with Christ and loves to be together.

It's an interesting thing to have a child who is old enough to really enjoy Christmas and love presents. It is so sobering to know that what we teach him and the memories that we build for him will be what he remembers and possibly does with his family. We are not doing Santa in our house, I am not opposed to Santa, we took pictures with him this year, and it is literally impossible to not talk about Santa because he is everywhere, but we are trying to make sure that we talk more about Jesus than we do about Santa. To know that it is Jesus birthday, that that is why we are so blessed. We have every possible material possession we could ever need. We try to recognize and appreciate that. But to know that even if we had none of it that Jesus is all that we need. He is why we celebrate and why we are here. To worship and honor his name. It is my #1 job in life to follow Him, and secondly to raise our son to know Him.

I have been reading the book Radical (if you haven't read it you should) and it is really eye opening and a great reminder about what really matters. We really cut back at Christmas this year (and saying that it is still amazing the amount of $ we spent) on things. We continue to search to find the balance in giving to others less fortunate and being stewards of what the Lord has given us.

That being said Jack has an entire collection of presents to take home that he loves! He had an amazing Christmas and we are thankful and blessed to have so many people who love us.

So in closing I hope that you and your loved ones had a wonderful day celebrating the birth of our Saviour. Jack will be quick to tell you that it was Jesus birthday, but the presents were for Jack :)

Maybe next year we will be able to tackle giving back to Jesus. ahh theology with a 2 year old.