*new creamer flavors (hazelnut, cinnamon vanilla, gingerbread)
*fun candle scents (pine tree, apple pie, cinnamon, brown sugar)
*Christmas decorations (lights, wreaths, trees, stockings, nativity sets)
*holiday foods (chocolate covered anything, fudge, ham)
*Christmas music (the gospel is proclaimed through the words of so many songs that are played in stores across the nation)
*time with family and friends
*Advent
*Christmas Eve service
*Celebrating God's precious gift, His Son Jesus
But best of all, this month means the birth of our little baby! I guess that should come right under celebrating Jesus' birth, but you know what I mean :)
It's so weird to think that a year ago I was pregnant and would miscarry in just a few short weeks. Now, we are anticipating the birth of our precious baby girl. God couldn't be more sovereign and good in His planning. Last Christmas was one of the hardest, most difficult ones I have ever experienced. We experienced one of the greatest losses one can imagine. This year we are looking forward to becoming a family of four and receiving one of the greatest blessings one can ever have.
We won't really have many presents under our tree this year (just a few items for Coralyn...and the baby isn't going to notice she doesn't have any gifts to open). We don't need anything that we don't already have. Instead of rushing around buying gifts and all that other normal Christmas stuff, we have been busy getting ready for the new baby. We have moved furniture, painted shelves, hung frames, washed bedding, folded and put away clothes, made meals and breads for the freezer, and cleaned the house thoroughly. Of course, we also found time to put up the Christmas tree, hang lights, and decorate the house for the holiday season. :)
Strange that in all this busyness, I have found such a peace. God has been teaching me to trust Him. To provide. To show me the plans He has for us. To lead me in that way. To follow Him, one step at a time. I still have lots of questions. Many unknowns still remain. But, that is okay. I can say with confidence that God is good and faithful. If ever I doubt, all I have to do is look down at my swollen pregnant belly or feel the baby kick, and I am reminded of how wonderful God is, how abundantly He blesses us, how graciously He lavishes us with His unending love.
And so this December and holiday season, I feel more in the Christmas Spirit than ever before. As I anticipate the birth of my child, I can only imagine how Mary must have felt that night in the stable when she held and kissed Jesus for the first time. As I cherish the thought of meeting my baby, I am deeply grateful for God's sacrifice in giving up His only Son and sending Jesus to earth that we might have Life through Him.
Yes, indeed, this is going to be the best Christmas ever!
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