Keep Christ in Christmas

Good morning! The world didn't end yesterday, so I guess that means we still have to get up and get busy being mommas today :-) Oh, you know I kid. We love it! We're celebrating Christmas this morning, just the three of us, so I'm about to make sure Santa arrived, get our Christmas bread going, and fill stockings! We have always been at one of our parents' homes on Christmas morning, so I'm actually loving being in our home and doing our traditions here.

We can't argue with the fact that there are special and sacred jobs reserved just for mommies. Making sure our children know the true meaning of Christmas, and making sure that they get to experience the "magic" are both special jobs reserved for the moms. I wrapped the presents yesterday, and had everything laid out under the tree when our son arrived home from his day-long playdate. He walked in, saw the tree, and yelled, "Oh wow!" Melts a momma's heart :-)

But, let's get real. That isn't the true meaning of Christmas at all. I suspect that as our son grows older, more and more I will see the pull at our Christian hearts between what we should be focusing on at this time of year, and what the world obsesses about. We must remember balance, and we must remember to turn to Him for guidance on how we should broach certain subjects, what we should and should not participate in, and how to practically keep Jesus front and center during the Christmas season. How have we done it this year with a toddler? We have read lots of kid books about the birth of Jesus, we search for our cross and angel ornaments on the tree, I have contemporary christian Christmas music playing nearly around the clock, and we have enjoyed acting out the story with his own nativity set. If you're looking for a great gift and teaching tool for your little one, check this out:

Little People Nativity Set by Fisher Price

No breakable pieces here, which is a very good thing! I would love to hear your ideas about keeping Christ in Christmas, especially with children. It is our precious job as mommies to keep our children focused, regardless of the Santa craziness which surrounds us. After all,

"Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is--His good, pleasing, and perfect will." Romans 12:2

This year, as mothers, let's ponder on what Mary must have been feeling during the birth and after she brought forth the Savior of the world. We know what it feels like to love our own sweet babies, but just imagine the overwhelming emotion she experienced when she had the privilege of being the mother to God. Incredible! I want to leave you with one of my favorite songs, celebrating the birth of Jesus from a mother's perspective, followed by scripture from Luke 2.

"So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them. And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger." Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,

“Glory to God in the highest heaven,
    and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”

When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about." So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told." Luke 2:4-20 (emphasis added)

We are off to Cabo San Lucas, Mexico for ten days beginning at 5:30am tomorrow morning! I will not have access to internet, so I will not be posting until January 4. I sincerely pray that each of you has a beautiful Christmas and New Year's with your families. Much love from the McNamee family!