Christmas time ~ Oh Christmas Time

As I am writing this the Charlie Brown Christmas music is playing in the background... It is December 14th - Christmas is almost upon us. I love the promise that the Christmas season brings -the Birth of our Savior Jesus Christ - the family events That while are usually fun and loving times are NOT always easy times.  The Snow the lights the fireplaces with warm fires glowing - the heart of my home is right there at Christmas time.

The promises of what lies under the tree from Santa ~ but even more in that lowly manger. Tomorrow we start our first family gathering it is for the Shepherd side of the family Scott's mom his brother Shannon- wife Margie their daughter Kerri and her family  Kim's Daughter Amy and her family and Scott myself and our kids and spouses . Lots of people missing from the Shepherd line up - not even sure how long this will happen after Priscilla Mom is gone - And it is sad to think that this may be her last Christmas here on Earth and yet Scott's 2 brothers Kim and Matt can't be bothered to come and spend family time with their mom and each other -Susie is up in Wisc. I get why she isn't here. But not the rest of them. And I shouldn't judge - I know I shouldn't -my heart breaks for My husband and his dear sweet momma -

Then of course we have MY family  the Christmas Eve tradition - God Bless them - My brother Rick who has some work to do before he is allowed back into the fold of hearth and family . Of course we love and miss his wife Beth but I understand her not coming when her husband isn't allowed. Praying Rick gets the counseling he needs. And my sister Courtney who is in Kansas but even if she was here no one would be comfortable with her drinking - I heard her boy JD is in Indy  actually in Whiteland - not sure if he will be coming this year since at this point he is out of jail . And my sisters who have issues with their mom . My sisters husband who holds a grudge against me - My aunt Becky who is here on this side of town this year after last years Christmas eve emergency move out . And yes my Momma who will be here wishing for things that ended back in 1966.

Yes the crazy Christmas season is upon us!

And Christmas day this year promises to be a good one! my kids are all old enough to want to start a Christmas Day dinner tradition so the older ones who are married do not have to rush from house to house - yes this is going to be a good Christmas - full of all the emotions sadness craziness and laughter !

And next year ? yes our Grandbaby Sam will be here to help us celebrate our Saviors birth!

Loving The Christmas Season

I love the Christmas season the Coming celebration of Jesus Birth - the excitement in the air of Santa the Christmas tree the lights the presents all of it . The Family times good and bad ... it is all special and this has not always been my situation so i get ya if you are not there... I used ot have so much stress and sadness and depression over the Christmas season - Praise Jesus that I do not suffer from that any more!

Our Tree this year 

My Sister had a Texted conversation about my love of all things Santa - and how was this ok -for a Christian woman? I was really shocked I guess because face it most EVERYTHING we do tradition wise has not much to do with Jesus birth - there were no pagan trees with lights or ornaments there were no presents for others - it was ALL about Jesus - The only thing at all remotely Christian about my tree is the star at the top - I see Santa as a fun part of the season I do not see it as a distraction from Jesus in fact ST Nicholas was a Christian man -  who gave to the poor - 

I am ok if my sister is not up with Santa but hey her house is decorated in Snowman soooo wheres Jesus in THAT???

So celebrate our Saviors birth however you see fit - My Saviors love is bigger then Santa it is bigger then all the Crap we have made this day to be -