Christmas Time

    I can't believe there are only 12 days left until Christmas.  It seems like yesterday it was 30 days away.  I am not ready.  I still have some shopping to do!

We've put lights outside and decorated the inside of our house.  (This is our first Christmas in this house so we had a little planning to do, but we got it to work.)

It is simple, but I like it.  Our neighborhood looks wonderful at night.   Almost all the neighbors have decorated their houses too.


 Christmas is for giving, but we all get caught up in the getting.  We came up with a great idea how we could give to others.
     My Dad brought home from work some goodies leftover from a train ride with Santa thing Norfolk Southern sponsored.  There were train whistles, Frisbees, candy and little activity books with crayons.  My Mom said, "You guys already have tons of candy and little things like this". "You guys should make treat bags and take them to the hospital and give them to sick little kids".  We loved the idea!  We got busy right away and made up bags using the stuff Dad brought home from work and other things we had here at our house.  We made Christmas cards and put stuff about the real reason for Christmas in the bags.

 

Nic and Eli at the hospital...I don't think Eli was ready for his picture to be taken.

    

The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me, because the LORD has anointed me to bring good news to the poor, he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound; to proclaim the year of the LORD'S favor, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all who mourn; to grant those who mourn in Zion - to give them a beautiful headdress instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, the garment of praise instead of a faint spirit; that they may be called oaks of righteousness, the planting of the LORD that he may be glorified.
Isaiah 61:1-3


In the next few days we have a lot of shopping and making food and other stuff to do but we all want to try to keep our focus on Christ.  (The true meaning of Christmas!)

What does your family do to celebrate a Christ-centered Christmas?