A different kind of Christmas

This Christmas has definitely been a different one for me. The past few days I have had a lot of ideas on what my Christmas should look like- lounging in my pjs, skyping my family, reading a bit. I didn't want to participate in any of the festivities on the base. I wanted my Christmas just like it was at home. Last night I was semi pouting about my boring Christmas Eve. We had fun famiy time taking family pictures but then everyone went their own ways and I was left to clean up everything. At first I had a total attitude. No one was praising me for cleaning up and I really didn't want to be doing that on Christmas Eve. Earlier that day I had asked the Lord to totally change my preception of Christmas and he used my attitude to do just that. I started thinking about the first Christmas. The one where my Saviour King was born. His birthday really wasn't some extraordinary day for the entire world, well at least not that they knew. He was born to normal people on a normal day. Yes the heavens rejoiced and he shepherds came but the whole world should've been on their knees. If he was born in such a humble way, why does my Christmas need to be so special? Why can't I help clean up meals and make dinner and SERVE on the greatest servant of all's birthday? Christmas isn't about presents and it isn't about traditions. It isn't about my level of happiness. It's about the glorious birth of Emmanuel. Today I spent the most time with Jesus than I ever have on Christmas and that's what has made my day so wonderful(though the surprise presents from home helped too)I encourage you on the celebration of such a life changing day to marvel at the glorious birth of God with us.

Merry Christmas from our home to yours!