celebrating Christmas.

it's barely Christmas day (12:11 am), and I am enjoying the festive atmosphere of our living room right now. Sarah is working on her scrapbook, with bits and pieces of colorful paper and freshly developed pictures scattered on the floor. Heather is reading from Little Women from her brand new Kindle, and I am sitting here realizing how long it's been since I've written here.

our family did something different today, and we slept in (well, that's normal) and opened presents this afternoon instead of on Christmas day. tomorrow we will go to church with extended family in Lansing area, and then relax at Grandparents' houses. :)

this year has been different as we are celebrating Jesus' birth in Michigan instead of in Hungary, but so much more is the same than different, because it's really all about how Jesus was born in a dark old cave to a young quivering couple chosen by God. He was born into our dirty and messed up world, not just to save the Jews from oppression of the Romans, but to save every person born since then of their sin. and so during this season we celebrate how we are forgiven 2000 years later! Christmas isn't about watching Elf, curled up cozily with hot chocolate surrounded by loved ones (even though i love doing this).... it's not just about family traditions and decorations and gatherings. These are great things, don't get me wrong, but the real reason why we gather and decorate and make Christmas cookies is to celebrate LIFE in Him. We celebrate how Jesus was born to each one of us; it's truly the best gift we will ever receive to live with Jesus in our midst and knowing how deeply involved He is in our lives.

I have a lot more thoughts about Christmas bouncing around in my head, but I better cut this short for the sake of keeping it semi-coherant. :) I hope you all have a very merry and worshippful Christmas, celebrating this baby.... who is King of all.