Today we wake up with a child eager to open the presents under the tree. We watch her and claim her excitement as our own. We help tear the gifts from their boxes, cut tags, unwind cords to she can play with the things we’ve given her. We wear silly hats, rush out to the last dregs of snow in the yard to make snowballs with the new snowball maker. We take pictures and smile and then lay on the couch for a Christmas nap. We look forward to ham and potatoes, green beans and another celebration yet to come.

Jesus’s birthday. God incarnate, God come to earth as a tiny baby boy, prepared for an eventual death to free mankind from their sins. This is the reason why our family celebrates of a day of gifts and good food. Jesus! Behind the physical manifestations of a party is this supernatural reason for the party—eternal life with our God, made possible by the perfect life and sacrificial death in our place. Today we celebrate with joy the birth of our Savior knowing full well that we’ll celebrate with grief in a few month’s time his death on our behalf. It’s all more than a little mind-boggling. And it requires faith to see what we cannot see and to listen to God’s whisperings in our hearts.

Praise be to God for the gift of Jesus today. We are grateful. We long for the day we see him again face to face and faith becomes sight.

21 Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away. Also there was no more sea. 2 Then I, John, saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. 3 And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, “Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God. 4 And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.”

5 Then He who sat on the throne said, “Behold, I make all things new.” And He said to me, “Write, for these words are true and faithful.”

Revelation 21:1-5

Silent night, holy night,
all is calm, all is bright
round yon virgin
mother and child.
Holy infant, so tender and mild,
sleep in heavenly peace,
sleep in heavenly peace.

Silent night, holy night,
wondrous star, lend thy light;
with the angels let us sing,
Alleluia to our King;
Christ the Savior is born,
Christ the Savior is born!

God is so good. Welcome to the world, Asher Ambrose Cranford! You are an amazing baby with a wonderful family and we are so glad you arrived safely. I look forward to cuddling you again, darling baby boy.

Congrats, Elaine, Matt, Quincy & Chance!

I like this shot so much that I don’t mind at all that it’s blurry.

Day 22 of the December Photo Project. Time is flying by! Three more shots and we’re done, folks. Wow.

My pretty and industrious hard-working Wrapper was back for the third year in a row today! This girl can wrap like no one’s business and I am so grateful for her cheerful service to our household. We keep things fun by watching Elf (also for the third year in a row) while we wrap and tie. Thanks, Rebecca! I’m so glad for your help.

Today involved shopping. Which then required something to keep up my stamina. You know how that goes.

I jumped in the car and backed out of the garage this morning, pausing for a few minutes to let the engine warm up and put on some makeup before meeting a friend for coffee. And then it dawned on me, no camera. I almost pulled an I-totally-don’t-care but then the weight of my public DPP announcement made me run back in the house and grab my equipment.

I’m glad I did.

If you don’t have the tools, you can’t create. Whether it’s a notepad and pen for recording ideas or the phrase/sentence/paragraph that keeps churning in your mind, or a camera for capturing that hilarious thing your kid is doing or the beautiful sunset, you’ve got to show up prepared. Doors won’t open if you aren’t even trying.

So I brought my camera. Now I have a small file of images from a coffee shop AND my sister-in-law’s floral shop to play with. Thanks, Chelsea, for letting me snap your picture and walk through your amazing flowers. Me and my camera are happy campers indeed.

Christmas tree in morning light

While folding laundry and listening to last night’s sermon at Redeemer, I glanced up to see incredible colors cast across the sky. The very God who created this world, who sets the sun in place each night, listens to your prayers and cares for you. Wow.