I can't believe it's almost Christmas. I can't believe I'm all the way in Japan and it's almost Christmas. It doesn't feel like Christmas here. The local stores have a few "x-mas" signs in their windows and santas posted around. There aren't many Christians here, so it's rather sad. There are tiny trees for sale in some of the stores. They come pre-decorated with lights and bows and ribbons on them. And although they're rather cute, they just aren't my Christmas tree. The one that looks like a real one that just got cut down in a wonderful forest full of fresh pine, with lights and tiny pine cones and my boxes of ornaments and wreaths and table top decorations and collection of nativities and stockings that all got left behind because of weight limits. My house doesn't have a single Christmas decoration besides my Holiday Spice candle that I won at Bunco and one card that we got from our rental agency. I really miss the smell of wood on the fire, and seeing lights hung on all the houses and trees glowing from within. The feel of Christmas and the holidays just isn't here. But it makes it easier to focus on Christ for His birthday... so that is a huge bonus.
At bible study today a visitor told us how when her children were young, they had a Thankful Jar that any time they felt they'd been blessed, they'd write it on a piece of paper with their name and date and then at Thanksgiving, they'd dump the jar(s) on the table and read all the things they were thankful. What an awesome idea. What a way to look back at the past year and see all the ways that the Lord has blessed us so richly. Last Christmas, my favorite Nativity Joseph and Mary traveled all around the house, to a different room and location each night on their journey to Bethlehem as each night we told the birth story of Jesus. And then finally on Christmas night, the eldest child got to put the baby in the manger which was in the living room and we finished up the story. (I stole this idea from a friend. Faith, maybe?) Anyway, do you have some little thing that you and your family do to celebrate the holidays? I'd love to hear all of your fun little traditions. Please post and share!!!
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For years our youngest son always read:Lk 2:1-20 "And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed. (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.) And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem (because he was of the house and lineage of David), to be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being with child.
And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.
And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And lo, the angel of the Lord come upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, "Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger." And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men."
And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another: "Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this king which is to come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us." And they came with haste, and found Mary and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger. And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child. And all that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds. But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart. And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them."
Not sure when we will have the entire family together again, but, it will be the best Christmas ever!!! Love ????
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