Longest day of the year?

It's Christmas Eve! Does that evoke the same excitement in you as it does in me? Always, of course, as a kid, it was the longest day of the year. Now, I don't have enough time to get everything done and wish for just one more day...but that's okay. Christmas Eve is fun...the anticipation, the preparation, the baking of OUR sticky buns, and even now the enthusiasm of our kids. They've never fully grown up where Christmas is concerned and I hope they never do. Certainly, the focus of how we spend our time changes as we get older, but we've tried to couple the 'fun' elements of Christmas with the majesty and beauty of Christ's arrival, the anticipation of that, what it means to us and why we even bother giving gifts and celebrating in the first place. One of my favorite parts of our tradition on Christmas morning is two-fold - the unwrapping of the Baby Jesus for our nativity is the first gift that is open and He is placed where He belongs. Then, the kids give the gifts they have gotten for each other or for us. Over the years, we have both been humbled and pleased with the thoughtful gifts they put together or have saved for. Sometimes they have asked for our help - mostly, it's all on their own, especially as they've gotten older. (We have NO clue what Bobby has...just told us he was done with his shopping when he got home!)

We were talking yesterday that it was the 1-year anniversary of having to put our old dog, Graham, to sleep. Two days before Christmas last year, while baking sticky buns with a friend, we had to gather him up and get him to the vet. Long story short, we came home empty-handed. Absolutely right decision, but very sad and painful. The next day, some dear friends called, and long story short, we had the promise of a new puppy by the following Tuesday, a few days after Christmas! We spent the morning of Christmas, sitting around while opening gifts, talking about names for our new bundle of pup, and it was so much fun! We all agreed on 'Bailey', in honor of George Bailey from 'It's a Wonderful Life', being a Christmas pup and all...and we waited. Now she is a VERY present part of our every day and we love her dearly. I look back now and see, even in that, how the Lord provided for our broken hearts. Gave us joy in the midst of some very sad days. (If you are not a pet-lover, maybe you won't understand. Sorry!) And the anticipation of the pup helped eliminate some of the loss. On such a broader scale, Christmas reminds us that God has provided for our broken hearts by giving us the perfect Gift in Jesus. The loss of our relationship with Him because of our sinfulness is restored, our sadness (whether we realize we are sad or not!) can be eliminated all because of what He came to do.  I'm preaching again - sorry - and truth be told, as much as I LOVE Christmas and all that goes with it, my favorite holiday in many ways is Easter. We celebrate then the culmination of His whole purpose!

Thankful thoughts:

• GOOD energy level yesterday to get things done
• A handmade cookbook I remembered just in time to make this AMAZING soup! Thank you, Bev Haselhorst for this recipe!
• A deep peace underneath all the questions and waiting
• Being driven by Kristen - I know I've said it before, but so thankful
• Examples of other women who have been strong through similar circumstances
• Some time alone, quiet, last evening.
• Being on the receiving end of so many blessings - and being able to give back
• A Godly mother - she doesn't realize it, but she encourages me every day, even if I don't get a chance to talk to her.

Enough...the aforementioned pup is whimpering to 'get-me-out-of-this-cage-already - I-know-you're-awake'. Guess I better go. So many of you have told me this blog is encouraging to you. Thank you. It's been surprising good for me to do, and I know I ramble at times. Right now, things are stable...til round 2 on Tuesday. Oh, goodie.

Have a blessed day, and a WONDERFUL Christmas!
Andi