Thursday, December 25, 2008

Still Dreaming of White

Christmas is our family's favorite time of the year! Nothing makes our family happier than reliving every year our memories and traditions of spending days shopping for "just the right" gift for each other, baking all sorts of sumptious candy, pies, truffles, and cookies (we always make special family favorites and then try several new recipes every year), making and mailing cards, getting together with friends for games and caroling, gingerbread house-making contests, reading books and listening to Christmas radio-drama theater in the evenings, and of course, spending our days laughing and singing--all the while dreaming of a very white Christmas...

This Christmas has been a little different for us. We still made sure to spend plenty of time shopping for each of our own special gifts, baking desserts (although the amount certainly decreased this year), making cards, playing games, and reading together..oh, and making gingerbread houses...or training centers =) But it was all very different, nonetheless. The Lord has been showing me that although family traditions and memories of our own eccentricities of times past are good and beautiful, the focus still is--and always has been--our Redeemer and King, Christ Jesus.
God still so loved the world that He gave His Son--the unspeakable gift--that we might live and triumph in Him. And no amount of change in circumstances and traditions can ever change that.

So even though our Christmas was different here in Indy (and it most definitely didn't snow!), it was wonderfully jolly and I wouldn't trade it for any other! Nothing compares to the sweet fellowship and moments of joy in friendship with brothers and sisters in Christ, be it friends or family...The Lord knew what our family needed and we are so grateful for His perfect sovereignty! May the goodness of God continually bless you and cause you to rest in His covenant faithfulness and rejoice in the hope of His glory this coming year.

Merry Christmas!
The Nelson Clan

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