Happy Birthday Jesus! We've finished our Birthday party to Jesus which was tons of fun. Now, it's time to turn thoughts to our Jesus letter's which go in our Jesus stocking. What to say this year? Tonight we'll do our last advent candle and Lord willing go to the Christmas eve service at church (if the weather holds out!)
*see blog category at right on Christmas for more on Jesus birthday party and Jesus stocking.
So what do you want to say to Jesus on His birthday? Have you pondered that?
My first thoughts go always to Christmas and the reason for the season. I am so thankful for this gift so long ago that makes this whole thing possible. So my letter always includes thanks for Jesus being willing to set aside glory to be born as a baby to make a way for us to have eternal fellowship with God in heaven. Try as I might there is no way to say this in some magnificent way that will do justice to the gift so a humble thank you has to suffice.
Next, what has God done for you this year? This year my thoughts went to mercy and provision, some years it has been strength and healing or something else. But this year I believe God has been merciful to us not only as a family but as a nation and I'm thankful. I'm also thankful for his provision and for his gifting that allows my husband and myself to provide for this family.
Which brings me to my next thoughts, my family. My first thought is Chris. I'm so thankful that he is willing to work everyday and allow us to raise our children at home where they do belong. I'm thankful that my children want to be homeschooled and want to have pure relationships to prepare them for the best marriage and family they can have. Also, I have to thank God for the way he's gifted and enabled me to be able to have the school to can, home cook, sew and a multitude of other things that help us live on one income. Do I ever take the time to thank him for that or just take it for granted?
In the season of giving gifts I also think of what I can give my King. He has my heart but what can we give the God of the universe? Again, nothing we can say or give can compare but yet I still want to make a humble attempt to please the Lord. Some years I have a specific thing in mind, like a gift of service or ministry but this year my thoughts went to that as well as the way I live in general.
This year my thoughts went to Colossians 3:17 And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the father.
It's not a new verse and it's not that I don't usually try to live it but this year I want to really be mindful of it and try to do all in the name of Jesus and giving thanks to him in everything I do. I also want to live and learn it with my kids. I want them to catch it in a big way. So that is what I'm giving and I'm asking the Lord to help me with that gift.
Is that a weird idea? I don't think so? You know you might give a gift to anyone that they need help with. For instance my brother got a model airplane when he was young but he spent hours getting help from my Grandpa to get it to run right and LEARNING how to fly it. When I was younger I got a sewing machine but I got a lot of help especially from my Aunt Sue who had a lot of SKILL in sewing to use my gift. So no I don't think it's weird. In fact I think any gift you give like that will create far more memories and lasting skill then any fancy thing you could do all on your own.
But does God need help with the gift? No we but we do. Has your child ever given you anything that was really more for them? Then you had to help them to complete it? Hmmm....I bet you can think of something. Did you hate that gift? No, again it created time and memories together and you appreciated their thought.
So maybe that kind of gift is really the best kind of all?
What are you saying to Jesus this year? What are you giving Jesus this year? Have a Merry Christmas and have fun celebrating with your family but I pray for you that you find some time in the glow of the Christmas tree to ponder these things in your heart.
Gina | 
