(we went to trunk or treat at our church on Friday evening and then left while it was still dark outside on Saturday morning to get on our ship!)
and then came home to Santa and his elves adorning every store window. And even though everyone has said this is going to be a super cold winter, we are currently hanging out in 70 degree weather. I still refused to take my cowl off today though;-) In true Texas fashion, we're experiencing all of the seasons at once: Christmas tree in our living room, leaves COVERING our driveway, short sleeve t-shirt weather, and cloudy skies. Winter, fall, summer, spring...it would be hard to tell what season it was if it weren't for the constant stream of facebook posts regarding the Elf on the Shelf's daily shenanigans. No offense to those who participate in the Elf--I actually admire the creativity and the TIME people put into it. We are doing good during the Christmas season trying to get everyone in bed before 10 'o clock though (rehearsals, programs, church Christmas parties, etc.), so no Elf here. (Unless I count when using my "Elf" name of "Jingle-Nipper Toe Bells";-) Instead, the main Christmas decoration we put out for the kids each year in our house are our various Nativity sets. My mom has added many unique pieces to our collection, but the favorite has to be the one that started them all: the Fisher Price Little People Nativity Set. I love that it's something that all three kids can plan with (because, let's face it--when you have a 7 year old and a 2 year old and a BABY, you usually spend all of your time making sure your youngest isn't chewing on a small Polly Pocket that's fallen to the ground.) but I love even more the type of play and thinking it encourages. While Gabriel tends to throw all of the pieces around in various places throughout the living room, and Annie showers them all with "kisses" (teething), Lucy is very meticulous in the positioning of each and every character. I can always tell when Lucy has been playing with the nativity set, because I will find all of the little people with their backs facing us, each one, wisemen, donkeys and all, facing into the manger. Their gaze isn't facing outward towards us. No. Their eyes are fixed on the tiniest, yet most important, piece of the nativity set: Jesus.
I truly just love that little girl's heart. Maybe she doesn't realize it fully at this point, but her actions remind me so much of what I desire we keep our focus on this Christmas season--not the packages and bows, or the trees and the lights, or the treats and the characters. Just Jesus. And while it seems like that's a pretty simple task, keeping our focus on "just Jesus" during this season can often be quite a challenge. I suppose Lucy learned from the very best though, because her Daddy's heart led out in this desire to bring the focus to our heavenly King this holiday season.
Back in August, DH was beginning the preparations for our choir and orchestra's Christmas program. I'm not sure how many dozens of musicals he listened to, or how many stacks of CDs filled with Christmas songs he and the music secretary went through, but he had such a clear vision: to create a worship experience that pointed to Jesus; to allow those presenting and those listening to prepare room in their hearts for the Son of God. This past weekend, we presented "Prepare Him Room" to our church, and it truly was such an amazing worship experience. It really set the tone for this Christmas season. For years, I have sung the song "Joy to the World" simply by rote: "Let every heart, Prepare Him room," but I don't think I ever really focused on what it means to truly prepare room in my heart for Jesus' coming. Just like I was caught off guard returning from vacation to rows of stocking stuffers and brightly colored lawn decor, it's easy to get caught offguard and forget what Christmas is really about. I'm so thankful for a husband who desires to keep the main thing the main thing though. This past weekend wasn't about a performance. No, it was about making a place--THE place--for the coming King. Simply put, it was about Jesus. Just Jesus. 
But DH and Lucy aren't the only ones who have reminded me of the true reason for this holiday season. Even though still at such a young age, our precious little Gabriel has wrapped up the true meaning of this season with one simple phrase...
And then there's my sweet little Annie Beth,
just soaking in everything that is around her. She is quite taken with the Christmas tree and all of the decorations hanging within her reach, but she's also very focused on the twinkling lights. Though the wonder in her eyes, I'm reminded to soak in the wonder of my Saviour, the Light of this dark world.
Such a tiny babe
in such a lowly place
Yet noting but greatness filled the air
And they had all been told
How the story would unfold
But still there weren't many to greet You there
But I don't want to be one of these
When was the last time
I gazed at the manger
And thanked you for coming to earth
When was the last time
I gazed at the manger
And let my soul fill its worth?
So many busy lives
So very little time
We've lost our focus of Who you are
And we have all been told
How the story did unfold
But still there aren't many to greet You there
But I don't want to be one of these
When was the last time
I gazed at the manger
And thanked You for coming to earth?
When was the last time
I gazed at the manger
And let my soul fill its worth?
We spend so much of our time trying to fill
The void that we feel in our souls
That we've overlooked that the answer, it lies
In the baby born so long ago
So when was the last time
I gazed at the manger
And thanked you for coming to earth
When was the last time
I gazed at the manger
And let my soul feel its worth
And let my soul feel YOUR worth
And let my soul feel YOUR worth
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