As my husband and toddler take naps before we head out to see family, I felt compelled to write to my lovely readers.
If you’re reading this, thank you, I love you!
If you ask me what my favorite holiday is now, it’ actually Advent.
If you haven’t heard of Advent, it’s the expectation and preparation for the coming newborn King. It’s celebrated the 4 Sundays prior to Christmas and allows you to focus on the true meaning of Christmas. I love this because for a few years the sparkle of Christmas was dim. Extended family shrunk, and loved ones ill make it hard to enjoy the season. I also started realizing the amount of money that Christmas took for some people to be happy. I hated that, I hated opening gifts and that being it. So Advent gave me a renewed purpose.
This year, as my firstborn sleeps in the family matching pajamas after playing with wrapping paper more than her toys, I can see how amazing this holiday is for many. If you don’t know Jesus and all that He’s done, the look and feeling as your child, grandchild, or niece opening presents is phenomenal.
However, even in my Advent guide, and the sermons I’ve heard the past two days, we are reminded that in a few hours after the 1st and 2nd rounds of food are digested and the wrapping paper is recycled there’s an emptiness. It’s the realization that it’s all over, the lights, the present reveals, and the allure of the season comes to a close.
For me, today after we opened presents with our family of 3 my heart was fuller as I looked at my nativity scene. God brought His Son down humbly, and brought us into His story. Christmas is just the beginning of the rescue mission, and it’s not over. This is the foreshadowing of the war at hand. Do you know who wins? Do you know how this rescue mission ends?
We win, because Jesus came for us.
Merry Christmas
Sydney
