Our First Christmas Together

(Our First Christmas Tree)

The cue was the sound of the golf ball bouncing on the floor. We asked my brother if he could wake us up when the boys awoke on Christmas morning. Rob and I wanted to see the little cuties open their Christmas presents. We couldn't wait to see the joy and excitement on Ezra's face. So as soon as we heard the golf ball bounce across the floor above us we jumped out of bed with our video camera ready. It's so fun watching youngens opening gifts. Ezra shows his excitement by flapping his wings and boy oh boy were his arms a-flappin.

We had a yummy brunch and then Rob and I made some of his Christmas favorites-Candy Cane Cookies. It was a fun morning but my heart was missing my parents. I guess this showed on my face because my brother said "It's different isn't it?" I had so much to be thankful for right there in front of me. I have a wonderful hubby, a brother and sister in-law that have taken us in, two cute little nephews, parents that love me........ The list goes on and I was still choosing to have a pity party.

In the middle of throwing my pity party for one ,I chose to have my quiet time. Why didn't I start my day off this way I don't know and I regret it. It went something like this.......

"There once was a Christmas card titled "If Christ Had Not Come". The card pictured a minister falling asleep in his study on Christmas morning and then dreaming of a world into which Jesus had never come.

In his dream, he saw himself walking through his house, but as he looked, he saw no stockings hung on the chimney, no Christmas tree, no wreaths of holly, and no Christ to comfort and gladden hearts or to save us. He then walked onto the street outside, but there was no church with its spire pointing toward heaven.

The minister dreamed that the doorbell rang and that a messenger asked him to visit a friend's poor dying mother. He reached her home and as his friend sat and wept, he said "I have something here that will comfort you. " He opened his Bible to look for a familiar promise, but it ended with Malachi. There was no gospel and no promise of hope and salvation and all he could do was bow his head and weep with his friend and his mother in bitter despair.

Finally he realized that Christ had not come, and burst into tears, weeping bitterly in his sorrowful dream."

Yep, no more pity party for me. I am glad and rejoice today, because He has come. "I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord" (Luke 2:10-11)