Happy but wishing for snow!

Merry Christmas fellow bloggers! I pray this entry finds you and yours in excellent health, having enjoyed a Christmas filled with wonder, food, family and relaxing fun. Mine pretty much was! Between the two extended families and our immediate family we celebrated Christmas three times over a 3 day period. But it didn't feel like the typical commercial driven orgy of gift giving - there were fewer gifts and less expensive gifts that were still appreciated and celebrated. We have always tried to downplay gift giving - after all it's not OUR birthday we are celebrating - why should WE get all the gifts! But its hard to accomplish that when everyone around you is firmly wedded to the gift giving excesses that characterize American Christmas celebrations!
But this year seemed more balanced overall. Our boys took delight in getting gifts for each other instead of just what they were going to receive. And they spent much of their own money to do it - even more cool.
As I move into the New Year, I sense that the coming year will bring some profound changes to my family - I just hope none of them have to do with unemployment or serious illness - I've had enough of that to last a couple of lifetimes! But whatever comes, I know God will walk with us throughout the entire year. Hope yours is a year of love, peace, joy and blessing!

Have a Blessed Christmas & Joyous New Year!

In this most joyous of seasons, we pray that the Love of Jesus Christ will touch your heart anew as you contemplate the wonder of our Savior's birth. Even after all these centuries, wise men still seek Him. And all who seek Him shall find Him waiting with open arms. O' how He loves you and me!