Favorite thing #1: My family. It is so special to spend time with those that I love. The older I get, the more I appreciate my dear grandparents, aunts and uncles, and cousins, in addition to my own parents and brother. My life certainly wouldn't be the same without them!
Favorite thing #2: Christmas cookie baking. I had the priviledge of baking some cookies with my mom and grandma the other weekend and boy, was that a fun time! Lots of laughter and crunchy cookies (much to Grandma's dismay!) added to the memories. Here's a few snapshots from our adventure:
Yummy sandtarts! Main ingredients: sugar and butter. Need I say more?
Favorite thing #3: My church's live Nativity, held the second weekend of December each year. It wouldn't seem like Christmas without it. We've been doing this for years now and it's always a great reminder of Christ's birth many years ago.
Favorite thing #4: Our church also goes Christmas Caroling every December. There's just something special about sharing the Good News with others through beautiful songs. This year I was with a group who stopped to sing for a lady from our church and her widowed neighbor lady. The neighbor lady said she's often lonely and she appreciated us stopping by so much. It felt so nice to bless someone else in this way!
Favorite thing #5: Gift giving. I know so many people enjoy receiving gifts, but I also appreciate the joy of giving them to others. It's fun to pick out something you know your loved one will enjoy. Another thing that I like about this time of year is giving gifts to those who are less fortunate. This is a time of year that is very difficult for some people and it's nice to bring some cheer to those that need it. By doing so, you experience a blessing as well!
Favorite thing #6: Receiving Christmas cards and pictures in the mail. It's so much fun to go out to the mailbox, anticipating what you might recieve that day. It's always interesting to read the letters that are included in some of the cards. And then we always hang the pictures in our hallway on a closet door to look at all year long. It can be a good reminder to pray for those people when they come to mind as well.
I've been reminded lately of the importance of the acronym JOY- Jesus first, Others second, and Yourself last. During this season, we often sing Joy to the World. Jesus' birth did bring great joy and we should carry that joy with us not only at Christmas, but throughout the entire year. It is also good to remember to place others before ourselves as we spread that joy, something that can be challenging for myself included.
May you experience the love of Jesus, the joy of grace and the peace of God this Christmas and throughout the coming year!
Blessings,
Janelle
Those cookies look oh-so yummy! And pretty darn cute too! =D That's so cool that your church goes out caroling too!
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