The Most Wonderful Gift

Mason and Carter have had their three present-opening ceremonies this Christmas (our house, Mimi's house, and Gigi's house) and they have loved every single toy, game, book, and Southwest Airlines giftcard (Mason's #1 request). But the gift that won their hearts more than any other was....drumroll, please.......the Dollar Tree squeeze guns that shoot foam bullets.

Merry Christmas Eve!

Luke 2
The Birth of Jesus
About that time Caesar Augustus ordered a census to be taken throughout the Empire. This was the first census when Quirinius was governor of Syria. Everyone had to travel to his own ancestral hometown to be accounted for. So Joseph went from the Galilean town of Nazareth up to Bethlehem in Judah, David's town, for the census. As a descendant of David, he had to go there. He went with Mary, his fiancée, who was pregnant. While they were there, the time came for her to give birth. She gave birth to a son, her firstborn. She wrapped him in a blanket and laid him in a manger, because there was no room in the hostel.

There were sheepherders camping in the neighborhood. They had set night watches over their sheep. Suddenly, God's angel stood among them and God's glory blazed around them. They were terrified. The angel said, "Don't be afraid. I'm here to announce a great and joyful event that is meant for everybody, worldwide: A Savior has just been born in David's town, a Savior who is Messiah and Master. This is what you're to look for: a baby wrapped in a blanket and lying in a manger."

At once the angel was joined by a huge angelic choir singing God's praises: Glory to God in the heavenly heights, Peace to all men and women on earth who please him. As the angel choir withdrew into heaven, the sheepherders talked it over. "Let's get over to Bethlehem as fast as we can and see for ourselves what God has revealed to us." They left, running, and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in the manger. Seeing was believing. They told everyone they met what the angels had said about this child. All who heard the sheepherders were impressed.
Mary kept all these things to herself, holding them dear, deep within herself. The sheepherders returned and let loose, glorifying and praising God for everything they had heard and seen. It turned out exactly the way they'd been told!

Holiday Fun

We've had such a fun week off from school. Gingerbread houses, Christmas goodies for the neighbors, ice skating at the Galleria. What more could you ask for? The ice skating was a bit more of an adventure than I bargained for, though. Jas had to work, but we were in the Galleria area for Mason's cardiologist visit today...so I decided to take two boys ice skating for the first time by myself. Maybe not the wisest decision. I've only been one other time when Jas and I were dating. I got a little nervous when I stepped on the ice and immediately slipped. Carter was happy as a lark with his skates on - until the blades hit the ice and his feet went flying all around. He screamed and cried and begged to go home for at least 10 minutes. Mason was less than steady, but he took off by himself and did fairly well. Carter eventually quit crying long enough to skate some, and even smile once or twice. As we were leaving, I asked them if they had fun. Carter didn't answer. Mason said yes, but quickly and loudly said NO when I suggested skating again sometime. Good times. Good times.