Christ is Real.

My kids will tell you I’m a believer. Whenever they ask if Santa was real I can honestly say “I believe Christmas is magic!” I love that Jack comes home from school and searches for Dexter our house elf, and keeps me updated on his every move. I love the lights, the hot chocolate, I love our Christmas tree!

I’ve told this story before but it’s my favorite so I’m telling it again. When Jonathan was 5 he and his cousins were getting ready for the family Christmas nativity and his mom was trying to have him be a shepherd but he kept insisting he wanted to be an angel. When his mom said that the angels were all girls he said “what about Harold?” She asked “Harold who?” and he replied “you know, hark the Harold angel?”

Norman Vincent Peale said “Christmas waves a magic wand over this world, and behold, everything is softer and more beautiful.” I believe everything is more beautiful at Christmas but not because of magic, because of Christ!

“It’s the time of year that we and those around us are prompted to be “more tolerant and giving, more conscious of others, more generous and genuine, more filled with hope and charity and love- all of these are Christlike attributes. The spirit of Christmas touches the hearts of people all over the world because for a least a time, increased attention and devotion are turned toward our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.” I love this quote!

A sweet friend recently told me that while she has no religious background she has always felt that there is a God that she could speak to, and lately has been interested in learning more.

Ask yourself the same question I have been asking myself all month. If someone who had no preconceived notion of Christ asked you about Him- or even if your child asked about Him, what would you say he means to you? What difference has He made in your life, or how have you made your life different because of Him?” As I have been thinking about who Jesus Christ really is to me, and to what degree I allow Him to influence my life I just LOVED this message- He is the Gift. So so good. I’ve watched it too many times to count :).

The whole idea of the messages is embracing this wonderful gift given to us by a loving Heavenly Father. But how?

“For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace” (Isaiah 9:6). Christ has many names he is known by that reflect his mission and purpose. But while he is known as Counselor, Redeemer, Savior, Prince of Peace, (and many more!) He cannot be any of these things to me unless I do my part to allow him to be.

Years ago when Ben was a 6 month old baby he was very very sick. I was alone with him in the ER and he was surrounded by doctors trying to get an IV in his tiny body. They tried over 100 times including hollow needles that went directly into his bone. As I stood there in complete shock I was praying over and over in my head “let them get a line in let them get a line in” in a hysterical repetition. Normally during a procedure the nurses wanted me out of the way, so when a nurse said “mom reach in, call his name and hold his hand,” I knew the situation was dire. My panicked prayer kept going frantically on and on in my head until finally I took a breath and sincerely and with all my breaking heart said “Heavenly Father- I trust you and I know we will be ok whatever happens” as soon as I spoke those words in my mind the hysteria was gone and a feeling of peace flooded over me. The moment I trusted in Heavenly Father’s gift Christ became my Prince of Peace in a completely real and true way.

Now I did not know what the outcome would be or what “ok” meant other than the fact that we are an eternal family. Ben ended up coding 4 times that night and many of the delays he has now are probably a direct result of that day. But the reality of what I felt that night hasn’t changed, Christ can still comfort and counsel me when I choose to turn to him. He is still my Prince of Peace as life continues with all its uncertainty.

(Christmas Elf Selfie)

As our perfect Savior and teacher Christ gave us complete freedom to choose to turn to him or turn away. I have been collecting Nativities over the years and they are my favorite part of our Christmas decorations. I set them up just right so each piece can be seen- but my heart always melts when I find them re-positioned in a complete circle around the baby Jesus by someone who obviously knows better than me what is most important about this scene. I never mean to turn away from Christ, but like my little nativities I sometimes think I am positioned just right but find myself too busy to turn towards Him and I loose my ability to feel his influence. “Each of us is an Inn Keeper who decides if there is room for Jesus!” I can see that this is something I decide DAILY not just at Christmas time.

The other day I told Ty that he makes Christmas so special. When he hugged me and said “Mom Christmas is about YOU and ME” he was speaking exact truth. Because of Christmas there is Easter, and because of Easter, because of Christ, I know I can be with my family not just until we die but forever.

“For God so loved the world that He gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish but have everlasting life.” John 3:16

I am so thankful for this gift. What difference does it make in my life to know Christ and to know of his mission? It makes every difference. MERRY CHRISTMAS!

XOXO