The real reason for it all!

Our 2 1/2 year old surely helped us keep the real meaning of Christmas in perspective this year. A little over 2 years ago, shortly after Anna was born, I was asked to be a part of a group that was making Jesse Tree ornaments. We each made 25 of one ornament and then exchanged them. Giving each family 25 different ornaments, one for each day leading up to Christmas in December. The ornaments correspond with a story in the bible that ultimately prepares you for the coming of baby Jesus. Although we have had the ornaments for the past two years this was our first year of reading through the Jesse Tree book, the corresponding scripture and hanging the ornaments on a small tree. We thought Anna would be old enough this year to begin to grasp some of the concepts. Little did we know how much she would understand and how excited she would be about hanging a small ornament each night. It was the highlight of each day. We were blessed listening to her recap what she had gathered from each story. It was amazing how much she began to understand sin. She refers to it as disobeying and will either give you the example of Adam and Eve eating the apple or someone pinching. Little minds. One of our favorite moments in sharing with her was when we were reviewing the story of Abraham. The night before we had shared with her about Abraham having to sacrifice Isaac. We asked her the next night," what present did Abraham give God instead of Isaac?" She looked at us very seriously and immediately said, "Livy." We have good friends who have twins the same age as Anna. Their names are Isaac and Livy. Another night we were talking about Jesus coming back to earth or as Anna refers to it, "Greenboro (Greensboro)." Anna immediately had multiple questions, "Jesus have car, Jesus walk, Jesus have backpack, Jesus have puter (computer) like daddy?"

Christmas Eve was another reminder of the excitement of Christ's birth through the eyes of a child. Anna was so excited about going to the Christmas Eve service at our church. She could hardly wait to sing. She kept asking us over and over again if we would sing, "Go Tell it on the Mountain." This is one of her favorite songs right now. She knows it word for word. We told her there was a possibility we would sing it. After the first song was sung, Anna blurted out for all to hear around us, "Go tell it on the Mountain." Sure enough, moments later the words to her favorite song appeared on the screen. Those sitting around us turned around and smiled at our sweet girl and continued to watch her as she clapped and tapped her foot as we sang those wonderful words!

Anna was surely excited to open presents on Christmas morning but nothing compared to the birthday celebration for Jesus. Yes, a new basketball goal was thrilling but it paled in comparison to singing happy birthday to Jesus and blowing out his birthday candles on the cake she had decorated. I believe we lit the candles at least three times and sang "Happy Birthday" five times with Anna's voice towering over everyone else's. Before we had Jesus' party, Anna kept asking when we were going to celebrate Jesus' birthday. She knew the real celebrating had not taken place!

Thank you Anna for reminding us why we celebrate this time of year.
"But the angel said to them, 'Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.'"

Luke 2:10-12