For Christmas my family and I decided to go into Downtown Portland to celebrate. The area was beautiful and we were able to see the river in all its beauty. The difference this year was the kids wanted to reenact the Christmas story. As I narrated the Christmas story for them I was feeling incredibly festive and in awe as they walked the room playing their part. During parts of the skit we sang Christmas carols and I was once again struck at the beauty of this day.

Being the narrator I got to really focus on what the story was about and realized I am thankful for the story, for His birth, for the fact that because of Him nothing has ever been better. Reading the Christmas story reminds me that miracles happen. I am excited to know that my miracle is on the way.

This Christmas I wish you and yours love, light, and happiness. May you remember the Reason for the season and hold your family and friends in honor of His birth. Prayers for a safe rest of the holiday season and for a very flourishing 2017.

Mele Kalikimaka. Feliz Navidad. Buon Natale. Merry Christmas. xoxo

Luke 2:1-20
2 And it came to pass in those days that a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. 2 This census first took place while Quirinius was governing Syria. 3 So all went to be registered, everyone to his own city.
4 Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, 5 to be registered with Mary, his betrothed wife, who was with child. 6 So it was, that while they were there, the days were completed for her to be delivered. 7 And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.
8 Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid. 10 Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. 11 For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 12 And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger.”
13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying: 14 “Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!”
15 So it was, when the angels had gone away from them into heaven, that the shepherds said to one another, “Let us now go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has come to pass, which the Lord has made known to us.” 16 And they came with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the Babe lying in a manger. 17 Now when they had seen Him, they made widely known the saying which was told them concerning this Child. 18 And all those who heard it marveled at those things which were told them by the shepherds. 19 But Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart. 20 Then the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told them.