Rejoice, rejoice!

I really wanted one of those chalkboard style Christmas cards this year. But I also have this secret desire to be one of those families who sends out a detailed letter updating loved ones on each person's annual endeavors. Do you, or don't you love those? I think some people must do some serious eye-rollers when they open those long letters. But I, for one, love them. If you go to the trouble of writing one of those, I admire you and think you are super cool.

Except I don't actually have time or energy to write a lengthy, thoughtful, and witty letter recapping the last 12 months.

So this card was a marrying of those two ideas at a print-them-yo-self price.

Here was our "top ten" of 2012, complete with a random, unplanned photo from my PHONE. Yeah.

And amidst the pre-Christmas chaos today, I took a few minutes out for a mental break to read some new posts up. This post called "avoiding eye contact" by Nat at Take the Cannoli won the award for most tears rendered.

If you are a mom, then you will most certainly be able to relate to her screaming child in Target scenario, not to mention how she shares about the way her daughter's words pierce her own heart. Nat's vulnerability is simply beautiful, and her epiphany about meeting Jesus at Christmas in the midst of our brokenness is one about which we all need to be reminded.

Only two days away, and I anticipate the Christ-child's coming with longing. I wonder what gifts He'll bring me, in my heart, this year. I wonder what gifts I'll have to offer Him.

I'm reminded of how neatly Micah 6:8 boils down what blesses the heart of God: to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with Him. These make lovely gifts, no bows or tape required. I'm not earning anything with them, nor am I obligated to return His Christmas gift (how crazy to think I could ever come close to matching His). But I want to bring my small gifts in worship and gratitude, just like many did that first birthday night. Even as a newborn babe, crying and ever so fragile, the great I AM had arrived. Everyone just knew: the King had come.

Rejoice, rejoice! Immanuel
Has ransomed captive Israel...

Rejoice with me, friends, and let's bring Jesus our best gifts, even in the midst of holiday chaos, messy relationships and awkward family situations. I really don't "have it all together" right now, inside or out, as you may believe. But I'm going to do my best to love fairness and mercy, and walk humbly with Him. 

Have a blessed Christmas.