Magical Christmas

Christmas is such a magical day, a magical time of year. When I was a child, it was magical because of the snow, the early morning mystery of finding gifts under the tree and taking turns opening them, staying in pajamas and slippers all morning, A Christmas Carol, which we listened to on tape by candlelight every Christmas Eve, the joyful hymns we sang in church. Magical because of my family. I couldn't have asked for a more loving one.

As an adult, Christmas is just as magical but, naturally, for slightly different reasons. Each year as I've gotten older I find myself trying hard to be contemplative at Christmastime, to turn inward and to reflect on the grace of the season. This year, I've been thinking of Mary more than I ever have, wondering if she was scared or in awe or overjoyed or all of it as she looked down at her big belly and awaited her baby's birth, Emmanuel. I've found myself thinking not just of Jesus' birth but of his death, because you can't have one without the other. How can I live for Him, He who died for me? I've been thinking of that a lot over the last few weeks.

And other things too. It's magical to introduce some of my childhood traditions to my husband. We're also starting several new traditions of our own and already imagining how our kids will like them. We're writing sweet and silly messages to each other on top of gifts and gazing giddily at our tiny little tree.

It's going to be a beautiful Christmas.

I'm going to be taking a little time off from blogging over the next week or two to focus on my husband, my parents and brothers, and my in-laws. We're really lucky to be seeing almost everyone in our family this year! I may pop in here and there but I wanted to make sure to wish you all a magical Christmas, filled with love and joy and family and friends and grace and beauty.

Sending lots of love to you, sweet readers. Merry Christmas!