Has it really almost been a month? oops.


philly' hat: OnceWasLost. spoon: JessicaNDesigns
My last blog post was posted November 11. I thought I had maybe written it a week or two ago. It is safe to say the holidays are clouding my perception of time. Mondays feel like Fridays (thank you, homeschooling). Every Saturday is filled to the brim. Thanksgiving filled my belly with turkey. And maybe I passed out for a couple days or something... Because Christmas has once again snuck up on us.
Now forget all that and let me say (despite the way it sounds), we have chosen to slow this holiday season down a bit. We are un-packing Advent. And wrapping our time and hearts around Christ a little more than we have in the past.
It is in the little things. Instead of our usual Advent boxes full of tiny gifts for the kids, we are reading through this book. And discovering a Christmas that is so full of God's story, there is no other thing needed to fill our hearts and time and spaces.
It is horrible to admit, but I was so afraid of ruining the kids' Christmas. What would happen if we traded in our typical "American Christmas" (which, for us, whether we meant it to or not, centered around Santa, wishes, and packaged joy) for one that centered around a King-baby that saved our souls. What if He was not the afterthought, but the first thing that drove our celebrations this season? I was nervous and shaking at the thought. And more excited than ever. To scale down a little. Breathe. Make little things count. Find blessing in sacrifice. And look for Jesus in our moments.
Niamh and Philly have burst my heart this month. Over and over. And I have realized that God is enough. He is enough and too much, actually. This beautiful story of Christmas that started in Genesis. And these two kids, that I thought would want to hold on to the 'good old Christmas' freely gave it up. Exchanged their daily advent gifts for daily readings of a story so exciting, They cannot wait to hear more. Looking for less this Christmas, because they see there is a huge rift between their own comfortable lives and the lives of broken, forgotten kids all over the world.
It becomes something unforced and real~ conversations about serving others, seeing needs, and believing in Christmas miracles. Miracles that are small and wonderful and would otherwise have been lost under wrapping paper. Are found a lot easier when we are looking to the One who freely lavishes us with them daily. I am smitten by this Christmas. The yummy smell of our first real tree. Handmade ornaments. And Story. His Story.
And everything I was so nervous to steal away from the kids, was everything that was keeping us from experiencing the truest Christmas. Unlocked, Brighter than the strings of lights we hang, More beautiful than anything we have tried before. I love that about Christ. When I seek Him, He grabs my hand and we just RUN. Run towards better things, real beauty, and things too great for me to find on my own.
Whatever your Christmas looks like, Wherever you live in our world, I hope your heart is full of His beauty this season. Merry Christmas, loves.
Emily, you won the Erin Condren Giveaway. Please email me at [email protected] to receive your gift. Congrats, friend!
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