Christmas day 2010

What a day! It was a day of mixed emotions for me for many reasons, but ultimately shaded by a hint of sadness about the lost, poor and broken hearted around us, some of whom are our friends.

It breaks my heart to go to the grocery store on Christmas Eve and see so many people with mulitple carts full of alcohol, spending so much money on something so fleeting, so debilitating.

It breaks my heart to see my friends struggle in their bondage to alcohol, unwilling or still unable to rid themselves of the demons that haunt them.

My heart is heavy for those around that let this time of the year go by without the slightest thought of their Creator, nor the birth of His Son, their Savior.

Every Christmas, Matt reads Luke 2 to the kids and I read a poem someone gave me long ago. The kids have parts of Luke 2 now memorized in Spanish, since it was part of the PFK Christmas program. When Matt was finished reading it this morning, Isabelle said- "Hey, I know this in Spanish!"

The poem I read is about a stranger who comes to town and sees all the people hustling and bustling about, all the lights, everyone buying and rushing around. He sees this man wearing red and white and hears chatter about "Santa Claus." He finally asks what all the fuss is about and is laughed at for not knowing what Christmas is all about.

At the end, the stranger is of course, Jesus. It is with a heavy heart tht he realizes that, still, they do not understand, as not one person even mentioned His name nor the real reason for this day.

We read this every year to remind us and the kids what and where our focus should be.

Jesus, in the greatest missionary effort ever, left his place at God's side, to become like us, human, but the least of these. Born to humble parents, poor, no place to go except with the animals, Christ, our King, our Savior, the LIGHT of the world, was born on this day. He is THE reason for the celebration. Any tradition we have should be out of joyful celebration of HIM!

The kids opened their gifts from their grandparents last night. Our friends, Doug and Karen, brought down gifts from the grandparents for the kids and it really was fun to see them open up their gifts. This morning we opened up gifts as a family- not much, but fun and special. We had french toast for breakfast, skyped with Matt's parents and talked with my aunt and uncle. Then we headed to the beach- our new Christmas tradition for as long as the Lord allows us to live here. It was an amazingly beautiful day and we caught low tide so it was a  fantastic day for exploring. Audrey and I took off walking and made it way down to the end of Tamarindo beach, farther then we've ever been able to go before. We got thirsty so we headed back, but along the way, found Matt, Tito and Isa. Isa and Ethan were on the rocks near the water, exploring, and Audrey took off with them. Matt and I watched them in sheer amazement. It seems utterly impossible that they can be so big, so apt for adventure. They set off and we watched. We were both thirsty and thinking they would head our way, but they kept walking.

Audrey had told me all the way back that the  spot we had found was our secret spot, not to tell anyone. Aparently she decided to take her brother and sister, because pretty soon we realized they were off. We took off to catch up with them. They rounded the point, farther then Audrey and I had gone, and it was beautiful. Simply beautiful! I unfortunately somehow forgot the camera...and have no pictures of our adventure, but it was breathtaking what we saw today!

A perfect moment to pause and thank God for HIS beautiful Creation. We walked from the end of tamarindo beach to the point of Langosta Beach. It was quite the hike but so worth it! If we'd had shoes and water we could have went farther.

We walked back and caught up with a friend from church and all headed back together. We dropped her off and came home, fixed lunch and napped! Another great Christmas tradition! Later my mom called and we were able to talk with her about the day,which was very nice.

Tonight we had a young single over from church and a friend who was by himself this year for dinner. I cooked arroz y carne and frijoles molidos, and had made potato salad yesterday. It was yummy and great fellowship. We had chocolate chip cookies for dessert.

Today was a beautiful day. I am learning to see the joy in all things and am learning that that joy exists when we are always looking for ways to give thanks. I am overwhelmed today with thankfulness. My life is more full now than it has ever been, with less money in the bank than we've ever had, a smaller house than we've ever had, the oldest car we've ever had, farther away from family than we've ever been and more aware of the pain, loss, bondage, evil, sin and depravity in this world than ever before. Stuff is just that- stuff. Money is just that- money. None of it matters in the end. None of it comes with us. All of it can become a major distraction and deterrant to the real purpose of lives. Yet, what we do have is a tangible opportunity every single day to give thanks to GOD our Provider. In the midst of all of that junk- the yucky stuff I become more aware of each day, lies the blessed opportunity to give thanks, and to see the absolute incomparable beauty and mystery of the gospel. Every single day, we have the opportunity to squelch the joy of the gospel living and breathing amidst the threads of our lives by living for our self in our flesh or we can choose to offer praise and thanksgiving in all things, therefore receiving the blessing of the uncomparable, indescribable joy of Jesus Christ. We don't get it any other way. Joy, grace, thanks- tied, connected, always.

I'm learning. More and more each day. I'm reading a book by Ann Voskamp called "One Thousand Gifts: A Dare to Live Fully right Where You Are" and it is blessing my socks off! And challenging me in ways that are, to be quite honest, incredibly uncomfortable! I would recommend to anyone to read this book. I can't yet share, but the Lord is working in me. Pray that this work is mighty and changing and undeniably glorifying and  honoring to Him.

We wish you a very Merry Christmas!

May you be filled with joy this year as you give thanks for Christ, the newborn King!