Merry Christmas!

We just got back from a wonderfully relaxing week of vacation. Once we returned home, we joyfully began preparing for all the Christmas celebrations we will be enjoying over the next few days. It feels so nice to be busy and not stressed. To really enjoy all the baking, the Christmas service preparation, wrapping of gifts, and planning our time of family worship for Christmas morning. It's all about Him...and it truly feels that way in our home right now. Love. Joy. Peace. We are thankful for the gift of Jesus. He truly is good news!

Here is a video of our girls practicing for their song in our Christmas service tonight. 

"'She will bear a Son; and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.' Now all this took place to fulfill what was spoken by the Lord through the prophet: 'Behold the virgin shall be with Child and shall bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel,' which translated means, 'God with us.'" Matthew 1:21-23

Happy Birthday, Jesus!

Merry Christmas to all!

The Simplicity of the Story

Here is a pic of Ella as Mary. 

She took her role very seriously and was truly in awe of baby Jesus! Super sweet.

Each day this month, our family is doing a special activity to help focus our hearts and minds on Christ as we prepare to celebrate Him on Christmas. It has been so much fun {for all of us!} to do this together. 

Today's activity was especially meaningful and joyous. We re-enacted the Nativity story. Corey played Joseph. I played the shepherd. Catelyn was the angel. And Ella wanted to be Mary. It was simple...and beautiful.

We didn't rehearse anything. We simply had them improvise their roles from memory of what we've been discussing over the past couple of weeks. Both girls did an incredible job at their roles!

It was another simple yet meaningful way to, once again, impress upon our hearts the beauty of His story.

"...there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger." 

Luke 2:11-12

An Acehnese Wedding

Yesterday, our family attended a traditional Acehnese wedding in our neighborhood. It was such an amazing opportunity to see the beauty of this culture displayed so vibrantly. {Sadly, I didn't bring my camera.} The actual wedding ceremony was done privately at a mosque nearby, which very few people attend. But, afterwards there are the long-standing Acehnese traditions that are carried out. 

The bride and groom wore beautifully adorned traditional wedding attire. The bride wore a headdress of cascading flowers, ornate gold jewelry over her deep crimson dress, and her hands and feet were carefully decorated with henna art. The groom was dressed in masculine traditional attire that complimented his bride's. On his head was a stiff, yet beautifully detailed tall cap.

Each entered into the "reception" separately from opposite sides. First, the bride. She lead a group of 30+ women in a procession to the center of the event. One woman was walking beside her holding a unique gold umbrella over the bride's head to shield her from the sun. Those women following her were family members and close friends who support this marriage. When she reached the center she gracefully took a seat to await her groom's arrival.

A few moments later, the groom and his entourage arrived. Although he didn't lead the his procession. Instead, five men finely dressed in traditional Acehnese attire walked side by side carrying large golden plates piled high with a beautiful red and gold silk fabric concealing the contents. These were gifts from the groom that were presented to the bride's family as proof that the groom can care for the needs of his bride. These men lead the procession with the groom right behind (also with a matching umbrella over his head). The groom's procession stopped about 15 feet from the bride.

Once the gifts were presented, the bride stood. She walked toward her groom and bowed. He took her hand. Then they were both seated together there at that spot.

Next, eight beautifully dressed young girls (many Catelyn's friends) performed a traditional dance before the couple. They presented flowers in beautifully crafted silver bowls to the new couple as part of the dance. The dance represented the honoring of the marriage.

It was a wonderful opportunity to take part in this special occasion. Of course, our family got a lot of attention because we were the only white people there. Our kid may have gotten more pictures taken of them than the newly married couple! 

Although I didn't bring my camera, Corey did manage to get a couple pictures with his phone.

Ella couldn't decide whether she liked the henna or not. 

                              She was intrigued by it, but it also scared her. It was funny to watch her!

Good News and Great Joy, Indeed!

I have just turned the last page of the Old Testament this morning. It was a bittersweet moment. It's been a year, and I am ready for the unveiling of the Messiah; to unwrap the gift of the promised Savior in the pages to come. To behold His salvation clothed in flesh.

What a precious and perfectly-timed gift from God to allow me to find myself in the Gospels during Christmas! To have been anxiously waiting and longing for Christ to appear. To now be able to declare alongside Simeon, "...my eyes have seen Your salvation, which You have prepared in the presence of all peoples, a Light of revelation to the Gentiles and the glory of Your people Israel." Luke 2:30-32. 

Oh, how I look forward to opening up Matthew and finding myself rejoicing in God's fulfilled promise - a Savior - the Savior! God, Himself, made flesh. "Immanuel" - God with us (Matthew 1:23). 

"...behold, I bring you good news of great joy!" Luke 2:10. It's Jesus! He is good news, indeed! 

I am praying that you, too, will enjoy the joyous celebration of the fulfillment of God's promise - Jesus! May the wonder of His beautiful sacrifice bring you to your knees this Christmas in sweet worship and humble adoration. To Him be all the glory forever and ever!