This is my favorite Christmas song. I love that it is from Joseph's perspective. Sometimes Joseph is spoken of as a secondary character in the story of Jesus' life. He wasn't. Even though we don't know much about Joseph what we do know is incredible. He was gracious to Mary, when by law he didn't have to be. He was willing to be obedient to God even when it cost him greatly. He was a man of incredible faith. He was a willing participant in a plan he couldn't have possibly understood.
Showing posts with label Christmas. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Christmas. Show all posts
Wednesday, December 3, 2008
Saturday, February 2, 2008
Christmas Pictures...
Finally, here are our Christmas pictures.
These next ones are my favorites. The only thing Grant asked for this year was the "Star Wars Complete Saga" for his Nintendo DS. Of course, we hid that until last like all parents do. He opened all his presents from us and all the presents that had come from my side of the family up in MA. He never said a word about it not being there. And then, wouldn't you know it, I found one more present. I loved the expression on his face when he started opening it and I loved that his first reaction was a big hug and thank you. Daddy got a hug, too, but he had the camera.
Grant took the time to put on his new Auburn shirt before he started playing his game.
These next ones are my favorites. The only thing Grant asked for this year was the "Star Wars Complete Saga" for his Nintendo DS. Of course, we hid that until last like all parents do. He opened all his presents from us and all the presents that had come from my side of the family up in MA. He never said a word about it not being there. And then, wouldn't you know it, I found one more present. I loved the expression on his face when he started opening it and I loved that his first reaction was a big hug and thank you. Daddy got a hug, too, but he had the camera.
Grant took the time to put on his new Auburn shirt before he started playing his game.
Friday, December 28, 2007
Christmas Moments
On the day after Christmas, I noticed Grant lying on his bed- awake. It was still early and usually when he's awake, he's up, so I went in to say "Good Morning." He gave me a hug and then just sat there for a minute, then said, "I'm a little sad that Christmas is already over." I hugged him and smiled and said I completely understand. I always felt that way when I was a kid, still do in some ways. It wasn't about the presents, it was about the season. Today as I was taking down our tree I started to think of all the things I want to remember about this year's Christmas season.
** The church preschool choir singing "Feliz Navidad" and knowing all the Spanish words. It still makes me smile to think of them singing out with all their hearts.
** Baby Elijah being born safe, healthy, and just on time.
** Christmas movie night- free rentals, sodas, candy, and popcorn supplied by one of my students families. Our family had such a nice time watching the movies together.
** Todd bringing home a surprise Eggnog Latte from Starbucks on Christmas Eve.
** Feeling the baby's first movements during the holiday season- started right after Thanksgiving.
** Crystal's left/right Christmas ornament exchange. I like that so much better than dirty Santa. :)
** Kim's white lasagna
** Our community group Christmas party
** The 12 days of Christmas surprises for Grant. They were just little, but he really enjoyed them. They really helped build the anticipation.
** Baking
** Lots of extra family time
** Watching Todd and Grant up on the roof hanging Christmas lights.
** Playing dominoes with Granny and Poppa
** Being able to talk to my brother in Kuwait on Christmas day
** Another new niece being born safe and healthy.
** Knowing that Grant put in some of his own money to buy one of my gifts because he wanted to get me a bigger gift card. That act of selflessness was the really the best gift a mom could get.
** The time spent pouring over our ornaments, remembering who gave them to us and what was significant about each one when we hung our tree at the beginning of the season.
I'm already looking forward to next year!
** The church preschool choir singing "Feliz Navidad" and knowing all the Spanish words. It still makes me smile to think of them singing out with all their hearts.
** Baby Elijah being born safe, healthy, and just on time.
** Christmas movie night- free rentals, sodas, candy, and popcorn supplied by one of my students families. Our family had such a nice time watching the movies together.
** Todd bringing home a surprise Eggnog Latte from Starbucks on Christmas Eve.
** Feeling the baby's first movements during the holiday season- started right after Thanksgiving.
** Crystal's left/right Christmas ornament exchange. I like that so much better than dirty Santa. :)
** Kim's white lasagna
** Our community group Christmas party
** The 12 days of Christmas surprises for Grant. They were just little, but he really enjoyed them. They really helped build the anticipation.
** Baking
** Lots of extra family time
** Watching Todd and Grant up on the roof hanging Christmas lights.
** Playing dominoes with Granny and Poppa
** Being able to talk to my brother in Kuwait on Christmas day
** Another new niece being born safe and healthy.
** Knowing that Grant put in some of his own money to buy one of my gifts because he wanted to get me a bigger gift card. That act of selflessness was the really the best gift a mom could get.
** The time spent pouring over our ornaments, remembering who gave them to us and what was significant about each one when we hung our tree at the beginning of the season.
I'm already looking forward to next year!
Monday, December 24, 2007
Strange Way to Save the World
This has been my favorite Christmas song for a long time.
Happy Christmas Eve!
Strange Way to Save World
by Mark Harris
Sure he must have been surprised
At where this road had taken him
'Cause never in a million lives
Would he have dreamed of Bethlehem
And standing at the manger
He saw with his own eyes
The message from the angel come to life
And Joseph said...
(CHORUS)
Why me, I'm just a simple man of trade
Why Him, with all the rulers in the world
Why here inside this stable filled with hay
Why her, she's just an ordinary girl
Now I'm not one to second guess what angels have to say
But this is such a strange way to save the world
To think of how it could have been
If Jesus had come as He deserved
There would have been no Bethlehem
No lowly shepherds at His birth
But Joseph knew the reason
Love had to reach so far
And as he held the Savior in his arms
He must have thought...
(CHORUS)
Why me, I'm just a simple man of trade
Why Him, with all the rulers in the world
Why here inside this stable filled with hay
Why her, she's just an ordinary girl
Now I'm not one to second guess what angels have to say
But this is such a strange way to save the world
Now I'm not one to second guess what angels have to say
But this is such a strange way to save the world
...this is such a strange way to save the world.
Happy Christmas Eve!
Strange Way to Save World
by Mark Harris
Sure he must have been surprised
At where this road had taken him
'Cause never in a million lives
Would he have dreamed of Bethlehem
And standing at the manger
He saw with his own eyes
The message from the angel come to life
And Joseph said...
(CHORUS)
Why me, I'm just a simple man of trade
Why Him, with all the rulers in the world
Why here inside this stable filled with hay
Why her, she's just an ordinary girl
Now I'm not one to second guess what angels have to say
But this is such a strange way to save the world
To think of how it could have been
If Jesus had come as He deserved
There would have been no Bethlehem
No lowly shepherds at His birth
But Joseph knew the reason
Love had to reach so far
And as he held the Savior in his arms
He must have thought...
(CHORUS)
Why me, I'm just a simple man of trade
Why Him, with all the rulers in the world
Why here inside this stable filled with hay
Why her, she's just an ordinary girl
Now I'm not one to second guess what angels have to say
But this is such a strange way to save the world
Now I'm not one to second guess what angels have to say
But this is such a strange way to save the world
...this is such a strange way to save the world.
Wednesday, December 19, 2007
What I love about this time of year....
It's been so busy that I feel like the season is passing too quickly. Our Christmas break from school officially began today. Now I want to jump into the spirit of the season with both feet. Here are some of the things I love most...
* The reminders of Jesus
* Getting Family picture Christmas cards in the mail. I love to see how the kids have grown and how families have changed. They always make me smile.
* Reading Christmas stories together each night- some of our favorites include The Crippled Lamb by Max Lucado, Olive the Other Reindeer by Vivian Walsh and The Grinch who Stole Christmas by Dr. Seuss.
* Christmas music playing everywhere.
* Traditions-
* Christmas ornaments and the stories behind them
* The parties
* Having a good excuse to share gifts with the people we love
* The food, oh the food.
* Watching Christmas movies
* Taking the Christmas lights drive in our pjs with hot chocolate. It's hard to talk Todd into the pjs, but he is usually a good sport. This year his Christmas pj's are plaid pants, so it may be harder this year.
* Baking
* The anticipation- it still gets me and I'm all grown up. Now it really doesn't have anything to do with "What will I get". It's something more.
* Family time
* Watching the surprise on the faces of Grant and all his cousins on Christmas morning when they get "that gift" they really wanted.
* The excitement in the air- you can almost feel it.
* The memories that are made every year.
* The reminders of Jesus
* Getting Family picture Christmas cards in the mail. I love to see how the kids have grown and how families have changed. They always make me smile.
* Reading Christmas stories together each night- some of our favorites include The Crippled Lamb by Max Lucado, Olive the Other Reindeer by Vivian Walsh and The Grinch who Stole Christmas by Dr. Seuss.
* Christmas music playing everywhere.
* Traditions-
* Christmas ornaments and the stories behind them
* The parties
* Having a good excuse to share gifts with the people we love
* The food, oh the food.
* Watching Christmas movies
* Taking the Christmas lights drive in our pjs with hot chocolate. It's hard to talk Todd into the pjs, but he is usually a good sport. This year his Christmas pj's are plaid pants, so it may be harder this year.
* Baking
* The anticipation- it still gets me and I'm all grown up. Now it really doesn't have anything to do with "What will I get". It's something more.
* Family time
* Watching the surprise on the faces of Grant and all his cousins on Christmas morning when they get "that gift" they really wanted.
* The excitement in the air- you can almost feel it.
* The memories that are made every year.
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