Living in Eager Anticipation

As we anxiously await the arrival of this new little one, I can't help but compare my eager expectation of her impending appearance with anticipation of an even greater arrival -- that of Jesus Christ in His second coming. Especially as we are coming up on the season of Advent (which means "coming"), when we celebrate the Christmas season as the first arrival of our Messiah on earth, I am occupied with thoughts of how every new day is filled with the possibility of change, growth and progress in the direction of His kingdom. The people of God had waited thousands of years, generation upon generation, for Christ's arrival; to the point where the anxious anticipation was perhaps all but forgotten. But then, Emmanuel came. And everything changed.

In the same way a new baby changes the rhythms and routines of our everyday living, so should our anticipation of the Lord's return affect how we approach life. In the last few days, I've gone to bed at night thinking, "Is this it? Could she be here by morning?" It makes every small detail loom large and significant. How differently would my day go, how would my actions and behavior be affected, if I started each morning with the same thought... "Is this it? Will He return today?"

The author of Hebrews speaks of Christians in the early church living "in these last days" (Hebrews 1:2), referring to how much closer they were to the fulfillment of God's promises and the complete restoration of His kingdom on earth. And that was nearly 2,000 years ago! We are that much closer today. Do we live like it? I know I don't wake up every day thinking how life could change in an instant with the return of Jesus. But I think I should. Because isn't that the fullness of the joy which we experience only a small portion of at Christmas time? Isn't it the same eager anticipation with which the author of Revelation wrote:

"He who testifies to these things says, "Yes, I am coming soon." Amen. Come, Lord Jesus." Revelation 22:20

Living with this kind of expectation -- dwelling in the spirit of Christ and eagerly anticipation His bodily return, SOON, is the greatest anticipation we can experience in this life. And I'm grateful to be reminded of it as we await the arrival of a new little member of His kingdom.

Fav Mom Gifts

In case you haven't figured it out by now, Christmas as an adult is different. Especially when you have children of your own. The focus shifts, it's definitely not about the presents (whether it was before or not) and wish lists become a thing of the past. Oh, sure, we still have them... but does anyone care? That's a rhetorical question, so don't answer. But that doesn't mean that some kind, thoughtful souls don't take the time and interest to give you the things that are really useful and enjoyable for the mom-wife life. I'm just now taking a few moments to recount the gifts that have already been really helpful to me over the last two weeks and here's the verdict. 

1. Alex & Ani Claddagh Bracelet
   A perfect gift from a precious friend. The claddagh symbolizes love, loyalty and friendship. And this brand of jewelry makes for an ideal daily wear accessory.
2. Saucony DXN Trainer Sneakers in Suede - Navy
   I've been looking for a pair of "athleisure" sneakers for a more comfortable look that is still stylish -- and these are the ones. Comfy, classic, and perfect for the mom on the go.
3. Gift Cards
   You really can't beat 'em. Especially when it comes to clothes, coffee and tunes. You can bet this is where I'll be spending some $$ the next time I have a mommy's morning out.
4. Madewell 9" High-Rise Skinny Jeans in Larkspur Wash
   One thing I won't have to buy the next time I go shopping, because these jeans are the bomb. I used to be all about low-rise jeans but I realize now how foolish that was. High-rise is the way to go if you don't want jeans fall off your butt every time you sit down/stand up. I recommend watching for the sales on this pair (the same fit in different washes is available for less right now) but you can't go wrong with a comfortable pair of skinnies that fit and flatter.
5. Classic No-Slip Barrettes
   You know when you complain about not having something that you could very easily pick up yourself at the grocery store? Sometimes those are the best gifts. Enough said.
6. 2017 Weekly Desk Planner
   I love a good planner. I've gotten this brand/style for the past several years and it works for me.  Even with 82 digital calendars, I still like to write things down.

These were some of my favorites from this Christmas. What were your favs?

Christmas Card Photo Outtakes

Because even the shots that don't make it on the Christmas card are still worth sharing... ;)

These were taken on Cormac's 3rd birthday -- a Tuesday, late afternoon after naptime, it was chilly but not too cold, no snow on the ground yet and the light was perfect. I dragged these two outside and forced a photo shoot that gave me just enough good shots to create our Christmas cards. I figured it was easier to shoot two than try to get all four of us in a photo with the remote shutter release like last year's snow shot... but maybe I'll try that again next year. I love looking through the "in between" shots that show their personalities. Cormac was being such a sweet big brother, coaxing Moira to sit with him and holding her gently. All she wanted to do was crawl around and try to eat grass! The star prop didn't end up being in the final shots, but it was a good temporary distraction. Good memories and precious shots of these two blue-eyed babes!

Why I Listen to Christmas Music Before Thanksgiving

It's one of those things that has come along with the commercialization of the Advent season... the decorations spew forth, the gaudy tunes stream out in every marketplace, the red Starbucks cups appear, and all of the sudden it feels like Christmas. My gut reaction in years past has been to resist. It's too much, too soon! They just want me to buy stuff! And yeah, that's part of it. But that doesn't have to be the bottom line. We know Christmas is about more than just what the stores and marketers make of it. It's about more than shopping and eating and watching those cheesy Hallmark movies on Lifetime (which I love, by the way).

It's about celebrating the birth of our King.

Can you really put a timeframe on that? We live in a nation that has never technically been ruled by monarchy, but just the briefest glance at history shows we're pretty much alone in that. The nations of the world know what it is like to have a king, and history is riddled with celebrations of their births (and just as often, deaths). Even Americans have no trouble understanding the value placed on royal blood. So, when it comes to celebrating the birth of the King of Kings? Who, even before His birth, was destined to spill His blood and give His very life for my salvation? It is so humbling. And so celebration-worthy. It makes me want to celebrate every day of the year.

If you can be grateful beyond just Thanksgiving Day, then you can certainly celebrate Christmas beyond December 25th, beyond Advent, beyond Epiphany... straight through Easter and all the way back around again. Every Sunday we are reminded of His birth, death, resurrection, and the new life we have in Him. Christmas is a joyous celebration of that new life. And when I listen to Christmas music, the good kind (because the good ones are all about Him), I am reminded of that new life and my heart rejoices. Even as the leaves are falling, the weather is getting chilly, and nature around us seems to be dying -- life is bursting forth anew. Every day.

So, yes, I'm listening to Christmas music before Thanksgiving. And probably around Valentine's Day. And the Fourth of July. And my birthday. And whenever I feel like it -- which is pretty much always.

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. 

Isaiah 9:6 

Here are some of my favorites!

• The Gift Goes On - Sandi Patty
• Sleeping at Last Christmas Collection
• A Windham Hill Christmas: The Night Before Christmas
• Advent Christmas - Future of Forestry
• Handel's Messiah
• Joy: An Irish Christmas - Keith & Kristyn Getty

Family Photo Session Outtakes

The only snow we've had this winter (so far) was right before Thanksgiving... the same day we were scheduled for a family photo session with a local photographer! Unfortunately, we had to cancel our session (and reschedule for after baby #2 arrives in February), but I was determined to get some new photos for our Christmas cards so I rounded up the boys (and the dog) after church the next Sunday and set up my tripod to see what we could capture. Out of about 25 shots taken, we ended up with one that was suitable for the card (with a little editing) and the rest were a hodge-podge. I just kept pressing the remote button and hoping to capture something good... I'd say we got some pretty cute ones. ;)

Oh, Christmas Tree! December Desktop Calendar

The Christmas Tree is a longstanding tradition of Advent. It is fun to decorate, it smells great and definitely helps most people get in the holiday mood. But every tradition has a story... and this one does, too. Just Google "Christmas tree" and plenty of results will come up. Here's one I dug up today:

The first first person to bring a Christmas Tree into a house, in the way we know it today, may have been the 16th century German preacher Martin Luther. A story is told that, one night before Christmas, he was walking through the forest and looked up to see the stars shining through the tree branches. It was so beautiful, that he went home and told his children that it reminded him of Jesus, who left the stars of heaven to come to earth at Christmas.

Whether it's true or not, I like the imagery and symbolism. Obviously, the evergreen tree is an easy connection to make with the birth of our Lord Jesus who came to give us everlasting life.  Not only that, but the Bible makes several mentions of trees as metaphors: Christ is called the "root of Jesse" (Isaiah 11:10) and the New Testament speaks of Gentiles being adopted into the family of Christ as a branch is grafted to a tree (Romans 11:19). The Christmas Tree -- although it may have begun as a pagan tradition -- is a poignant reminder of these biblical truths and also a great example of how all created things point to the glory of God. Even something as simple and earthy as a fir tree gussied up with silver and gold can remind us of the astounding gift we received in Christ when He came to earth, and foretells the time when we shall have life everlasting and walk on streets of gold with Him.

 With those thoughts in mind, I offer you the final desktop calendars of 2015... double designs for the last month of the year!

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iPhone

Illustrations by Freepik