what does your Christmas look like?

This is what I want my Christmas to look like:

Not this:

This year I'm experiencing a different Christmas. Usually we celebrate with MamaDee and PapaDee (my mom and dad) at their house with my sister's family. This year my sister's family is traveling to the Midwest for Christmas with her in-laws, and my family is traveling to TX for Christmas with my sister-in-law's family.

So I have to remember what Christmas is really about: the birth of God-with-us, the baby in the manger. That can be celebrated anywhere, but for me the best place to celebrate is within, a reflective, quiet celebration of each moment in Advent. A thanksgiving for His presence among us, reflected in the love we have for each other and the happiness we express when we're together. See that up there, in those pictures of Jack and Evan together? Do you see it in the Wal-Mart picture? Yeah.

Do what makes you happy this Christmas. Do what shows your love to others.

Comments

CRUSTY MOM-E said…

I saw your comment over on andrews blog and I hope you don't mind me stopping by. I suffered through nasty bouts of depression with my pregnancies, both peri, post and after I stopped breastfeeding, your words encouraged me in a very good way because as of late I'm having a very tough time and I just wanted to say thank you.
I like the names of your children! Mine are Jackson, Sullivan and Benjamin..boys are fun!! :)
Enjoy your weather, I've spent many visits in PHX and Tus...and have always enjoyed it but missed the green and the snow back here in Illinois!
Hope to read you again!
Always,
Crusty~

6:16 AM

shy_smiley said…

Crusty: I'm glad you stopped by. I don't so much miss the Illinois snow (lived in Champaign Urbana for 13 years, where I met DH) but I do miss how easy it is to garden in a more hospitable environment.

7:30 AM

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