Trimming the tree, and searching our HEARTS!

Christmas is so wonderful.

One of our favorite parts is the tree.

Of course, I must admit, I do dread the daunting task of “starting” the tree decorating.

But, the kids were chomping at the bit…as soon as Thanksgiving day passed!!

I tried to put them off for one more week….just to have more time to actually make room for a big tree!

But, I was over-ruled!

Christmas was coming to our house.

However, every year it’s the same thing.

Once the first rubbermaid box is torn open to reveal all the color, sparkle and shine that tangibly floods our family room with “Christmas”

 well, the daunting turns to delight for me!

In an instant!

I love how almost each ornament tells a story, conjures up a memory, honors a special person, place or event….

or just creates that “warm fuzzy” that opens the door for a sweet conversation with the children as they fill the tree with color.

Then, when its all done…..

When the lights have been plugged in….

When everything is set so perfectly in place……

Then, the fear hits me.

It is usually in that moment that I am struck with the realization that we could totally lose it. We could totally miss it this year.

The Christmas FLUFF can just so easily drown out the meaning.

Even for the adults.

We could so easily, so very easily miss Him this Christmas.

The danger of the pretty lights and sparkle out- shining what it’s all about.

We worship Him. we Praise Him. We try and live for JESUS each day.

But, how completely easily…..

In the hub-bub of festivities….

In the thrill of Christmas…

in the “I wants, I wants, I wants”….

 How dangerously easy it is for our hearts to become so wrapped up in the gifts

Instead of the ONE. GREAT. GIVER.

He humbled himself and became a helpless infant- baby, the KING OF KINGS!!!

To grow up, to be condemned,  to be spit on, to be tortured and killed.

ALL. FOR. US.
So we can live. FOREVER WITH HIM IN ETERNAL GLORY.

What a gift!

And, what happens when we focus on the Giver of this amazing gift……

Well, we find ourselves wanting to honor that giver and GIVE right BACK!

BUT, we have to take time to step back and FOCUS in thanksgiving for what HE’s DONE!

She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.

So, as a family we have to fight the lust of Christmas fluff and….

FOCUS ON JESUS.

We have been discussing as a family how we can challenge ourselves to be less “us centered” and more Jesus centered on His BIRTHDAY!

And just as we were praying for GOD to place His burdens on our hearts for how we can Give….

 my dear friend “Angie” posted  their awesome boys’ Christmas sacrifice,  mission and passion on Instagram and I was immediately inspired to HOP ON BOARD. Because the Holy Spirit was moving mightily in these precious boys’ hearts, and Brian and I were taught, if you don’t know where to go or what to do, go where the Spirit of GOD is moving and be a part of it!

Usually each year at Christmas my kids pull their money together and shop through the World Vision catalog to buy an animal to help bless a needy family.

But, I was feeling like we needed to move with the Spirit and go big or go HOME!

So,  I pitched the idea to my kids to get on board with these two awesome boys’ vision to buy a farm  that would feed 10 families!!!

And, well…..

they caught the vision!

We were all inspired!
 
 ..I asked them to take a day to  pray about what they want to give and what we can each sacrifice for this greater purpose. We encouraged them to seek God in how they can use their creativity to help fund this mission.

We also told them that whatever they give, mommy and daddy will double (along with what we give).
 

So, we challenged each other to “out give” one another, and bring Christmas to another family, a whole community!

 Did you know that ONE farm (28 animals) can feed/support 10 families!

BUT WAIT!!!

These two awesome boys, well they’ve already funded a whole farm with their sacrifice, creativity, passion and hard work!

So, we are on a mission with them to fund another farm!
WILL YOU JOIN US???

There’s just one week left!

Please go to Angie’s blog and read about these two awesome little guys’ mission and please pray about being a part of it!
You can email her or myself for the details of how we can put our donations together to go BIG!

Let’s, together, resist the temptation to make Christmas all about US…..

 …and let’s bring Christmas….

….let’s bring HOPE

…let’s bring survival…

 …let’s get so wrapped up in what Jesus gave us and…

Let’s bring the gift of HIM to these precious families and communities with children who don’t get the privilege to decorate a tree, bake Christmas cookies or unwrap presents.

Let’s get inspired to make a difference….TOGETHER!!!!!