the Reason for the Season

Tonight, we braved the snow flurries and voyaged to see Santa.  We all expected Kate to want NOTHING to do with a big man in a red suit wanting to take a picture with her ... I mean both boys cried until they were 4 at the mere thought of sitting on Santa's lap.

BUT ... Santa pulled out the Ace card ... a peppermint candy cane.  She looked at me and I said "After you take a picture with Santa and tell him what you want for Christmas, he will give you a candy cane."  The fear went out of her face and she smiled and waved at him and proceeded to tell him exactly what she wanted - a kitchen - and that she wanted him to come to her house and to leave it in her room!  She waved "bye" and blew kisses and said "Come to my house, Santa!" as we left.  And there was NO line - quite miraculous I think!

After we left Santa, we proceeded to a local drive-thru live nativity that we love every year and were reminded of the true miracle of Christmas.  It is awesome ... they have a little area set up like Bethlehem and you travel through and see people trading their wares, buying blankets or food and then Herod's men calling for you to come and pay your taxes.  At the end of the hustle and bustle you turn the corner and a modest manger (with live donkeys) is holding Mary, Joseph and baby Jesus.  All 3 kids were silent as we went through and we were all so quickly touched by the birth of Jesus.  Yes, Santa is fun but I pray that all may know the reason for the season and may know Him well - Happy Birthday, sweet Jesus!  And thank you, God, for sending your Son to earth in order to save us - knowing we don't deserve it.  

To candy canes, to family times, to memories, to snow flurries in Texas and most of all to Jesus's birthday - Merry Christmas to all and to all a Goodnight!!