Christmas at the Andersons...

The Christmas season for our family began last weekend. We celebrated Christmas with just the six of us b/c this week is full of Christmas with our extended family. I love this time of year. I love everyone getting together. I love seeing the looks on my children's faces as they open gifts, I LOVE that Chris does not have to work and can stay home with us. However, my favorite part is helping my children learn the true meaning of Christmas.

Don't judge me...my kids have had their picture taken with Santa (with me included...thank you Kaityn) and we had my brother-in-law and sister-in-law ring jingle bells outside the kids window and say "Ho, Ho, Ho." But this year my kids really are getting why we celebrate Christmas. Cooper over and over has reminded me that it is not about gifts but "Jesus being born in a barn." We have three "kid friendly" nativity scenes and the kids on several occasions have used those "figures" to tell the Christmas story. There were times when it brought tears to my eyes because they ARE getting it.

One of my favorite Christmas things is something that my mom and dad-in-law got us. There is a manger scene and then seven boxes. In each box is an item which tells part of the story...angel, shepherd, wise man, mary, joseph, baby Jesus & then box 7 is empty with a mirror. It is a reminder that God wants us for Christmas...our hearts, our choices, our attitude, etc. We have done that this week and really have discussed what it means to give Jesus our hearts. It has been such a joy for me to see how my kids have grown and how God is turning their tender hearts towards Him.

I hope you and your family enjoy all the fun that Christmas has to offer but at the same time remember the true meaning of Christmas.