Christmas was different last year.
I couldn’t do much.
I couldn’t shop.
I couldn’t decorate.
I couldn’t host any parties.
I couldn’t cook.
Thanks to myasthenia gravis, I couldn’t even walk but a few feet.
Psalm 73:26, “My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.” ESV
SPECIAL SEASON
It was a special season. Online shopping took less time and less money, not to mention eliminated the stressful hustle and bustle. A friend volunteered to decorate my house and with my mother’s help, it looked much better than when I decorated myself. I was given a present; Ann Voskamp’s book The Greatest Gift. This interactive book helped me focus on advent. Indeed, it was a special season.
Exodus 33:14, “Then He replied, ‘My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.'” HCSB
A SEASON OF FREEDOM
This year I can walk and drive but I am not shopping. My family has decided to forego exchanging gifts entirely. I feel free. I’ve asked my friend to come back and help decorate. Also I want to read the book again. But it really isn’t a book to simply read, it is a book to do. I expect it will be a special season again.
Luke 8:40, “Now when Jesus returned, a crowd welcomed him, for they were all expecting him.”NIV
INVITATION
My friend Kim has a unique invitation so we can do the book together. I am looking forward to it and I hope you will join us.
CLICK HERE to join Hunt and Host‘s ARTISTIC EVENT.
She’s pretty talented. If you don’t believe me, check out Hunt and Host on Pinterest. If you follow me, I have a few of Kim’s projects pinned so you can look there.
Luke 2:13, “Suddenly, the angel was joined by a vast host of others-the armies of heaven-praising God…” NLT
IDEAS WELCOME
Since we aren’t going to have presents to unwrap on Christmas, we aren’t exactly sure what we are going to do. Obviously we will eat and probably play games, but I would love to hear your family traditions and ideas for making Christmas special.
Luke 2:14, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among men with whom He is well pleased.” NASB
TRUE GIFT
Of course the true gift is Jesus. To make Christmas special, we are going to have to focus on Him. After all, Christmas is supposedly a season to commemorate His birth, but I rarely see it. This year I plan to look harder.
Matthew 2:2, “Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east and are come to worship him.” KJV
The advent begins December 1 so be sure and sign up before then. I look forward to our journey together.
Vickie, I grew up Catholic. My family decorated the tree starting at 4 p.m. On Christmas Eve. My dad put the lights on first, then we hung the ornaments, the garland, and the tinsel. While we were decorating, we said 1,000 Hail Marys-59 Rosaries actually. It was a tradition, on my dad’s mom’s side of the family, that was brought with them from Canada. Every Christmas Eve, as long as they could remember, the family said 1,000 Hail Marys. We had to start by 4p.m. and be finished by 9 p.m. It was peaceful and lovely. The only lights were from the Christmas tree.
What a neat memory. Goes along with the book you sent. I’m enjoying it so far
Great read looking forward to Christmas with my favorite people
Being together will be fun as always
Sharing and caring for real! So lovely…
We do not exchange gifts – We ‘adopt’ a family in need and help supply some of those needs and fulfill the wants of the children. We find a family through our work, Church, the community, or from friends that give us leads. We have been blessed by help families in Texas, Louisiana and Arkansas. This tradition has taught our children that there are others that are in need and the true spirit of giving for Christmas. As God gave His Son to us because of LOVE – we give to others because of God’s love.
Awesome. We usually help kids through our church and I will probably still do that, but I want to sponsor a senior this year
Sweet friend – I am so glad to join with you on this adventure this year! Your Christmas sounds completely delightful! We always play games, cook and just enjoy each other on this holiday. Thank you for sharing the invitation to celebrate Advent together through this series! Blessings!
its always fun to get an angel off the tree at the City Mall and shop for them, we did that several times when I was younger and it was really special.
Definitely