Nativity

Luke 2:40
40 And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom: and the grace of God was upon him.

As I watched my grandchildren running wildly through the house during our annual Christmas pajama party, I sat (amongst the Mr. Potato Head parts and Lala Loopsey dolls) and wondered how Mary and Joseph felt when Jesus was three. OK, really I was wondering where Mr. Potato Head’s nose went (hopefully not into Roko’s mouth) and how come the three years olds never step on Hot Wheels when my feet are totally bruised from them. But I have been thinking about Jesus as a toddler all season long.

Mary and Joseph knew they were raising the Son of God. So what was it like for them? Were they more diligent in telling him stories from the scriptures? Were they more careful not to let him get hurt? Did they worry they weren’t feeding him the best foods or keeping him warm enough? In other words were they like any other parents?


Did they marvel at his smiles and giggles?


Did they watch him run with his cousins and hope he didn’t fall and get hurt or put a hole in the wall?


Did they teach him to play nice with everyone even girls and even if they’re having a tea party?


Did they build forts with him and snuggle him close?

The scriptures don’t tell us what He was like as a toddler except for that one verse in Luke. But I’m sure He was sweet and kind and polite and fun. Just like my grandchildren.

Now, if I could just find Mr. Potato Head’s nose.

No Snow

We don't have snow here. So we have to make our own. This year we have plastic snowflakes in the windows and hung from the trees. We have snowflake lights on the house.




So we're TRYING to have a white Christmas. But mostly we have rain.

So today, Kelly and I had a rainy day adventure. We put on our rain boots instead of snow boots. Mine are new; they were a birthday present. Kelly's are pink with flowers.



We kicked the leaves on the ground because there were no snow drifts.


We visited Rudolf and an angel.


And we found one small puddle to jump in. But no ice to skate on which was OK because neither Kelly nor I have ice skates or know how to ice skate.

We don't have snow here. We have rain.

Flight Into Egypt

As I thought about drawing a Nativity this Christmas these scriptures came to mind:
Matthew 2:13-16
13 ... the angel of the Lord appeareth to Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and be thou there until I bring thee word: for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him.
14 When he arose, he took the young child and his mother by night, and departed into Egypt:
15 And was there until the death of Herod: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Out of Egypt have I called my son.
16 ¶ Then Herod, when he saw that he was mocked of the wise men, was exceeding wroth, and sent forth, and slew all the children that were in Bethlehem, and in all the coasts thereof, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had diligently enquired of the wise men.

What it must have been like to flee into the night with a new baby to a foreign land. Where would they live? Would they be safe?

We once moved from one coast of the US to the other with a new born. We traveled by VW bus and slept in motels. We were going to a state we had never been to before without knowing where we would live. It was a little scary. But we weren't running for our lives. We knew our baby would be safe.

As Mary and Joseph fled, were they led by angels? Did the Holy Ghost whisper words of comfort and courage to their hearts as they traveled. Did their hearts break for those babes that would die at the hand of the evil King Herod? I know the answer to each of these questions must be yes.

How grateful I am to these brave parents who did as their Father in Heaven commanded. Without hesitation they fled into Egypt and kept the savior safe.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad.

Joseph

We all know how devoted, how beloved of God, how clean and pure Mary, the mother of Jesus was. We know how devoted to Him she was. We know she loved Him, cared for Him, worshipped Him, and mourned for Him.

But what about Joseph?

Matthew Chapter 1:
18 Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: when as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost.
19 Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a publick example, was minded to put her away privily.
20 But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost.
21 And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name Jesus: for he shall save his people in their sins.
22 Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the Prophet, saying,
23 Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they sall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.
24 Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife:
25 And knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name JESUS.

We know that Joseph was a carpenter and so was Jesus. So Jesus must have sat by the work bench as a child and watched and marveled at Joseph's skill. He probably worked and practiced until his skills matched Joseph's. I can imagine Joseph and Jesus, not only working together but also laughing together.

Do you think they teased Mary about her cooking? Do you think they argued about the best way to shape a piece of wood. Do you think they talked of Jesus' future? Did Joseph worry for him? Did he counsel Him? Did he love Him as any father loves his children? I can't help but think so.

Although there is not a lot recorded about Joseph and his relationship with Jesus, knowing how much The Father loved His son, I can't help but think that He would choose a man that would father Jesus with love and kindness, perhaps much in the same way He would.

In a lot of Nativities you see Joseph standing over Mary and the baby as though protecting them. I think that very appropriate. In my Nativity drawing this year, I have him kneeling with Mary in love and worship...and maybe even waiting for his turn to snuggle the sweet new born king.

O Christmas Tree

On Face Book, there were a few postings about decorating Christmas trees. You know... fake or real, kids decorating, nonbreakable or breakable ornaments.

A lot of families decorate the tree together. The kids putting all the ornaments on one branch. This year, my son's family surrounded their tree with one of those corral baby pens. OK OK it was my idea. They have 3 kids, the youngest is one and very "grabby". So the corral is working nicely.

I've tried the whole everybody decorates. I even tried having everyone make wishes with each ornament, but they always got bored and I ended up finishing.

So now the task is totally mine. It could be because the tree is huge and it takes hours. Or it could be because I'm picky about where the ornaments go.

Occasionally I can get someone to help for a half hour or so. Before we got the fake tree, Kelly would help put the lights on if she was home. (BTW, that's why we have a fake tree- I just can't put lights on anymore.) Last year Sabrina helped for awhile. This year Harry helped with the beads.


But don't feel sorry for me. I kinda, secretly like it. I put on Christmas music and take my time and remember why I love certain ornaments and laugh over and wonder why I bought other ones.

This is an ornament I bought the year we lived in Pensecola, Florida. It's old and one of my favorites.

This is one of a pair of little angels that were on mine and Jeanette's first Christmas present. When I hang them on the tree I remember how great it is to be a twin and all the Christmases Jeanette and I have shared.

We bought this angel Lab after our own Taffy dog died. I hang it high in the tree.

Harry when he was three. The one odd ornament on an otherwise fancy tree.

This is a round , sweet, snow gramma. I like to think it's me.

I collect figurines by this artist. She is influenced by Tim Burton. I love the skinny arms and legs.

This is a new ornament. I love ornaments that look antique and are sparkly.

This one was free.

Some years I think to myself, "I am not getting all that stuff out." But then I get to thinkin about all the cute Christmas things and how much I like looking at them and pretty soon all the decorations are out.

I could point to every Christmas decoration in my house and tell you why I bought it or made it or why it was given to me and why it is so important to me.

Maybe that's why we decorate so much at Christmas- to remember. I remember the wonder of my childhood, the love of my parents and now, my children.

As I decorate, I am reminded of fun times and sad times. I'm reminded to be grateful for my home and my family and for Christmases past, present, and future.

Christmas Drawing

I know it's January, but I've been so busy I haven't had time to blog. So I've been trying to catch up.


This is the drawing I did for my Christmas card.

I now have 7 little elves that make my Christmas brighter.



And of coarse I still love Bette, the Elf, and the one from last year.


I LOVE Christmas!!!