Anyway.  Being that it’s Christmas, we took some pictures yesterday.  Here are two of our best ones (according to what I’m told).

Us with our boxer, Lucy

In front of our tree

My favorite Christmas song will always be The Little Drummer Boy.  It’s story resonates with me.  It grips my heart.  It’s personal.

Third Day’s song “Just To Be With You” is another song that gets to me.  Read the lyrics.

It’s a simple message.  It’s God saying, “I’ll do anything to be with you.  I want nothing to come between us, and I’ll make it my personal responsibility to break the barrier between us.  I’ll even go to the extreme.  Just watch.  We’ll soon be together.”

And he did.  He died on a cross.  For you and for me.  And it all started day when an angel appeared to Mary with a promise of her divine pregnancy.  Then with Jesus’ birth.  Then his life.  His death.  And his resurrection.

God did the impossible.  He went to the extreme.  He took a personal interest in all of our lives.  He did what was necessary.

He didn’t make us earn his love.  He gave it.

Just to be with you and me.

< I’m not sad.  It just makes me cry.

We had information on 45 foster children.  Our goal was set at 100%.  No child would be left without a present.  No exceptions.

And, you know what?  Not only did we match our goal, but we surpassed it because a handful of people gave more than one gift although we weren’t asking them to do so.

So, thank you so very much, Life-Givers.  You are all very awesome people.  May God bless you greatly for your giving hearts.

So, Merry Christmas.  I hope and pray that you have a great day.

…I have church this morning which entails a youth small group, and I’m excited about what we’re discussing.  Grace.  Not only grace through Jesus being born as a baby, but the illustration of grace given by Joseph to Mary.  Joseph could have easily had Mary tried and stoned for her alleged adultery, but he didn’t.  Instead he chose grace to give to her by choosing to divorce her privately.  That led to Gabriel envisioning himself to Joseph in a dream and to his belief in Mary’s story about being impregnated by the Holy Spirit to birth the long-awaited Messiah: Jesus.

Oh how God has a way of picking the right people at the right time in the right way, and making it all work out.

• What great faith Joseph and Mary must have had to not only know that Jesus was the Messiah, but to also endure the ridicule, mockery, and alienation from Mary’s illegitimate pregnancy.
• How did Joseph muster the love and grace that he showed to Mary upon learning of Mary being pregnant? He could have easily turned her over to being tried and stoned.
• King Herod was a jerk.  I use jerk because another adjective wouldn’t be appropriate.
• Jesus’ arrival made me tear up. Through his life, death, and resurrection I am made whole and set free so I get emotional when I talk about or am faced with remembering that he was a humble man.  But he’s also my savior, and how I love him and owe him my life.  Even now, I think I have dust in my eyes.

When you read, hear, or watch the Christmas story what are some of the thoughts that run through your mind?