I'll be home for Christmas... part 1

This is one of my favorite Christmas decorations. A dear man from FJBC made him for us over 20 years ago and I can't remember a Christmas without him! When I was a little girl I used to love taking him apart and putting him back together. During my college years at Clemson I loved coming home to Rudolph. I knew he was waiting for me to put him together.

I can’t believe that Christmas is just a few days away! It is so nice to be home during this season and spend time with sweet family members and friends. I’ve had the joy of seeing extended family and visiting with good friends while experiencing their gracious hospitality. Sunday morning the choir sang beautiful songs and a few men put on costumes and acted out well written monologues. Mom and I delivered some pears to a few of our shut-ins where I was told that they pray for me ... daily, by name. WHAT A BLESSING! What a reminder of the gift we have in the church! This cold has forced me to sit still and rest ... something that is terribly hard for me to do! Even though it is difficult, it is needed. This evening I was reading Carolyn McCulley's latest blog entry and was encouraged by her desire to "prepare our hearts for celebrating the incarnation of Christ." What an encouragement in this materialistic culture. "Santa" is almost in every store and little children are busy writing letters to ensure that they get their current desires. I do love the music, the fires and the old Christmas movies. I love buying gifts for people and seeing family members that I don't get to see often. But honestly, have I allowed myself to dwell on the TRUE purpose of Christmas? How much more do I devote my time to materialism instead of to the savior in the manger?

Let's focus on the true story... the story that is and will continue to be worth celebrating through Eternity. The story of truth, hope and redemption; the story of Christmas.