Merry Christmas 2014

As we have been studying in school about history in depth, it has opened a love for studying the background to stories, and not just learning facts and highlights.  This Christmas, we have been reading books and watching videos to learn and understand what life was like when Jesus was born, and to really understand what the culture was during his birth.

We truly enjoyed a book called, "Jotham's Journey" by Arnold Ytreeide that has opened our eyes to so many details surrounding Christ's birth.  I highly recommend this book to use with kids during Advent.  We read one short chapter each night through December, while lighting the Advent candles.  After each story was a very short prayer, devotional, or thought to leave you with.



While we celebrate Jesus' birthday this year, I hope to be like Mary as she walked in blind faith and obedience, not knowing what the next step held.  I pray to be like Joseph, who lead his family in God's steps and who had integrity and fear of the Lord.  I pray to be like the shepherds, who proclaimed the news of Jesus' birth to the people and were the ones who spread the news of his coming.  I strive to be like the wisemen, who sought Jesus out, and believed in Him without having seen him yet.  Above all, I pray every part of my being is like Jesus, who was selfless in his act of love to come to our broken world and live among us, who was born a helpless and dependent baby, who walked among sinners and yet was one with the Father, who came knowing what his outcome would be and yet came willingly and with love for me.  For you.  For all.

Merry Christmas to you as we celebrate the best gift we could have ever asked for!  Jesus!