photo NavIG_zps7563fd85.png photo NavPin_zpsd777ef70.png photo NavYT_zpsbdfa2471.png photo NavBL_zps47aef9ce.png


Tuesday, December 24, 2013

It's about Jesus

A few weeks ago at my MOPS meeting, other ladies got up and shared their Christmas traditions and how we can focus the holiday on the true purpose... Jesus. I loved hearing how families incorporated Christ's birth into the commercialized holiday where it often gets overlooked by the new xBox system, getting your cards out on time, and divvying up your day between your family/in laws/grandparents/etc. It was encouraging but if I am totally honest it was overwhelming. I guess since Ford is so young I haven't thought too much about how and what traditions we will have for Christmas but then it hit me. Traditions start now! My 4 month old won't remember us reading the Christmas story out of the gospels to him or singing Christmas songs at church but adding these rhythms in our family is incredibly important. 

I just keep thinking about Mary. Unmarried, 10 years younger than me, and giving birth without an epidural in a cold and lonely stable. I look at my sweet baby boy and dream of all the things he will accomplish in life. I can't wait to see him out on the soccer field, basketball court, or kicking around in the pool. I get excited thinking about him showing off his report cards and proud of his hard work. And one day graduating from college, becoming a man, and having a family of his own. And to think...Mary held baby Jesus just as I hold Ford, but his future held so much more. His future is our future. At times I idolize Ford and he is the center of my world, but Mary was holding the world in her hands. King Jesus, taking on human flesh as a sweet newborn baby. Can you imagine what that must feel like?

Mary did you know that your baby boy will one day walk on water?
Mary did you know that your baby boy will save our sons and daughters?
Did you know that your baby boy has come to make you new?
This child that you've delivered, will soon deliver you.

-Mark Lowry

Often I forget this precious story of our Lord but motherhood has given me a whole new perspective on Christmas. Yes I fall victim to TV commercials reminding me that Toys R Us is open for 78 hours straight until Christmas or stressing out because we still haven't watched all the holiday movies on our DVR. It is about Jesus. 

It is easy to feel warm and fuzzy and think that Christmas is about giving and family and togetherness. Don't get me wrong, those are wonderful additions but we wouldn't have those things if it weren't for Christ's divine birth over 2,000 years ago. I want my son to know that. You better believe Jon and I are pumped to do Elf on The Shelf in the next few years and help Ford leave cookies for Santa and carrots for the reindeer but we want him to celebrate Jesus. 

It's a big job we have as parents, to be influential and nurturing. From what I hear, children are sponges and it is up to us to teach them the true purpose of Christmas. I want Ford's heart to be on fire every December 25th. Joy to the world friends, our Lord has come!

How do you celebrate the birth of our King on Christmas? (not just a question for moms and dads)

9 comments:

P!nky said...

I posted something similar yesterday, regarding Mary and her journey. I wonder if I could have been as humble, trusting, and faithful as she was.

Wishing you a Merry Christmas!

Liz said...

Love you & this!! Such a good mama you are! Your reward in heaven will be so great if you keep parenting with Christ at the center :)

Unknown said...

Merry Christmas to your sweet family !!! Enjoy every minute of Fords first Christmas, it is so wonderful to see things through a childs eyes !! God Bless you !!!
Stephie

sia said...

AMEN! Love your family!!

www.fitmommydiaries.blogspot.com

Laila @OnlyLaila said...

My son just turned 7 and it's SOOOO important to me that he knows that Christmas is about Jesus and not which lego set he's going to get. With this birthday 3 days before Christmas, it can be a challenge, but my voice needs to be louder than any of his friends or toy commercial. One thing we do is bake a cake on Christmas. It's a fun thing we do together and a great way to remember the reason for the season.

jessi bridges said...

We started doing the advent calender this year reading through the Jesus Storybook Bible. Isaac loves it and it's so focused on Jesus. He keeps asking about baby Jesus. We went to see a live nativity in town and he was SO excited to see baby Jesus. We barely talk about Santa. Honestly I didn't want to do Santa, but Ben had the final say on that one ;) So when I asked Isaac who was coming down the chimney to leave him gives, he proudly declared "Jesus!!"

You will have so much fun with your traditions as Ford gets older!

boulderscoobydoo said...

My kids are 15, 13 and 10 and it's never too late to add to your traditions. change old ones, add new ones. We do the advent calendar, advent candles every Sunday evening at dinner time, Christmas Eve candlelight services. We also do Share a Gift and buy toiletries for the homeless shelter to participate in mission projects during the season.

I just finished a great book - Ken Bailey's Jesus Through Middle Eastern Eyes. It really changes your perception of the Nativity Story.

Candice Williams said...

It really is interesting to think of Mary being a mother now. Losing her son, watching him die, all she went through. Jesus is the reason for the season!!

Hall Around Texas said...

I love this post! And have thought a lot about Mary and Jesus’ birth this Christmas. Mason learned about this at school and we’d talk about it at home. I love sharing Jesus with him!

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...