Christmas Eve Eve

Our family celebrations are just around the corner now. Tonight we have a quiet evening planned (actually, nothing is planned). Then tomorrow, we will spend the bulk of the day with my parents, brother and family, and grandparents. Gift giving and gorging will take place from morning until late afternoon. Tomorrow night we celebrate with a Christmas Eve service (in which I'm singing and speaking). Sunday morning will be our own Christmas under the tree, followed by several hours at my grandparents house. Sunday evening Michelle's family will roll into town for two days, during which we'll continue Christmas celebrations, and mark Allie's ninth birthday.

Once the 28th rolls in, we'll be tired, thicker around the waist, and out of storage space for last year's new toys that are now this year's old toys.

In the midst of this is the truth that makes life what it is --

That God was born into the world about 2000 years ago, as a human child named Jesus;
That He grew into a wise and faithful Jewish young man;
That for three years (or so) He taught of God's truth and love to those who would follow;
That He allowed Himself to be unjustly tried and executed;
That His death fulfilled God's plan that a blood sacrifice would be made once and for all for the sins of mankind;
That He did not stay dead, but instead was resurrected from the grave and appeared to many;
That He returned to heaven and exists today at the right hand of God the Father;
That those who accept Jesus as their Savior will spend eternity with Him, and;
That Gods' gift of life to us is free, simply requiring faith on our part in all of these wondrous things.

May your holiday be filled with the knowledge that Jesus is all this and more. Merry Christmas.