Christmas Survey 2016

December 18, 2014

Last year, I came across this post on Skylar's blog and immediately took the time to copy down the questions with plans to answer them this year! Feel free to copy them and answer them on your blog. If you do, be sure to let me know because I'd love to read your answers!

Wrapping paper or gift bags?
I am terrible at wrapping gifts. That said, I appreciate and prefer wrapping paper!

Real tree or artificial?
We haven't done a tree at all since 2010. If I was going to have one, it would be real.

When do you put up the tree?
We normally got the tree the first week in December and then let it rest in the garage for most of a week.

Hardest person to buy for?
The person that I don't have any ideas for. There isn't one person in particular that this is always true of. I tend to be pretty good at coming up with gift ideas, but occasionally, I will be STUMPED.

Easiest person to buy for?
My Mom. I also always have one million ideas for my sister.

Favorite Christmas film?
Oh, this is HARD. I'll choose Holiday Affair.

Favorite thing to eat at Christmas?
I love it when we do a cold cut buffet for Christmas. In the past I've made broccoli salad and Trish's Bean Dip to go with it.  This goes soooo well with the endless board games and movie nights and lazing around that Christmas vacation brings.

Snow: love it or hate it?
As long as there's no place to go, let it snow, let it snow, let it snow!

Colorful or clear lights on the tree?
Clear. 

Favorite Christmas song?
This year? Christmas Night in Harlem. Usually? God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen or Oh Holy Night.

Do you celebrate Advent?
YES!!! It's my favorite thing about Christmas.

Travel at Christmas or stay at home?
Stay home. 

Favorite Christmas cookie?
Chocolate Crinkle Cookies. I used to be sooooooo afraid of them, but then I made them and now I love them.

Favorite Christmas tradition?
Advent and Epiphany. On Epiphany we have atiyfs for breakfast, open the presents from our parents, and have a Middle Eastern feast.

Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning?
Christmas morning.

Most annoying thing about this time of year?
The cold? Other than that, I wouldn't change a single thing.

What is the “sil­li­est” fam­ily tra­di­tion you do, or miss doing?
I don't think we have any silly traditions. Do we?

What do you want for Christmas this year?
I need some new sneakers. There are a few books, movies, and cds that I'd like. Reach Records always has a Christmas sale which makes me nostalgic over t-shirts. I'm getting old because there's a face lotion that I love but that's a little $$$, so I'd be quite happy to unwrap a new bottle of it.

What holiday traditions are you looking forward to most this year?
All of them! I'm excited that my sister is home this year. I wish my brother could be here and that Ron and Julie and Jay would come over like old times. Our decorations are still in storage, so I only have the "extra" garlands and lights to hang. I look forward to Christmas as we know it sometime SOON.

I'd love to hear your answers! Feel free to make a post of your own this week. :) 

Advent 2016

December 10, 2016

I picked Andrew Murray's "Waiting on God" back up the other day. I made it less than halfway through last year's Advent readings and wouldn't you know it...When I finally got myself together this year, it was right where I left off last year. Man plans his way, but God established his steps. It gets even better. Not only did I pick up where I left off, but the first day's reading dealt with themes that I've been wrestling with lately (faith, being taught by God, and even the balance between sin and repentance).

When I read the verse that went with the day's essay, I knew that this was exactly how it was supposed to have happened. I rarely get discouraged about not being able to finish something becaues I am a firm beleiver in the fact that I will finish it when  the time is right. This goes for silly things and important things. I'm happy to take my time.

I've been going to a new Bible study and I've got mixed feelings about it. I'll be honest. I take theology very seriously. I have come to learn that this is rare. Studying the Bible with other believers has taught me that very few people are eager or have put the time into thinking for themselves. So, I go to this Bible study which seems to be non-denominational and I've heard some pretty typical comments. Everything from the KJV only debate, to thoughts on salvation, and of course, the man-centered theology that misses the actual meaning behind every Biblical text has come up so far. Bad theology, especially from people who should know better, gets me every single time.

The last meeting was about faith and especially the faith of Gideon. I'm not going to get into what was said, because that's not the point. The point is, I was wrestling with what was said and God saw fit to clarify the matter using His Word, Murray's old booklet, and an unrest in my spirit. He also threw in a line about how He teaches His people for good measure.

What have you been wrestling with lately? 

Are there in themes that God has brought to your attention?

Christmas 2015 In Pictures

The day after Thanksgiving in 2009, marked the day when no family holiday would ever be quite the same. That was the day my barely 17 year old brother packed up his truck and made the cross country trek to start life over again in South Carolina. Since that day, holidays have held a bittersweetness to them that makes me squeeze WHOEVER I'm with a little bit closer.

Christmas 2015 was unlike ANY Christmas before it. My brother (who is now 23) and sister (who happens to be 17) were missing. He still lives in SC and she was visiting over the Christmas vacation. Meanwhile, I ended up celebrating the day at The Queen's Cottage with my Mom and youngest brother. It was just the three of us because my brother was SICK, I was getting sick, and my Mom was getting over having been sick. No body wanted our germs and we didn't feel like traveling, so we stayed put.

The whole week is kind of a blur. The day we dropped my sister off (the Thursday before Christmas) it started snowing and it didn't stop until a few days after Christmas. We shoveled like our lives depended on it. We saw the Star Wars premiere. We got rearended while we were at a stop sign on Monday. Went to a party on Tuesday night with some new friends. By Wednesday, we realized that we would probably be staying put and started planning for how we would celebrate.

I can't remember if it was Christmas Eve, Eve or Christmas Eve...But my Mom and I went shopping to get a few surprises to make sure that Christmas still felt SOMEWHAT like Christmas for my 15 year old brother. We braved the crowds and made our way to Wal-Mart where we picked up some sparkling cider, a waffle iron, one small gift for him, a little tree and tree skirt, and a giant platter of shrimp cocktail.

It was Christmas and sick or not, we had plans to make the most of it!

On Christmas morning, my Mom lit the candles and opened the drapes and the celebration of our Savior's birth began.

We had our traditional waffles with strawberries and whipped cream. We exchanged a few small presents. We had allll the time in the world to lay around feeling miserable (just keeping it real). We facetimed with my sister and the family members she was gathered with. I made a small pot of spaghetti (thankfully, it was the kind of sick where we could all hold down food and had decent appetites) complete with repurposed hamburger buns which served as garlic bread and some homemade crutons to go on our ceasar salads.

The day was slow and lazy and special all at the same time. It was Christmas and the three of us were together with eyes glazed over, fevers running high, and the kind of quiet in your soul that comes when you're thinking deeply about LIFE. 

It was a Christmas for the books. People were missing and a lot DIDN'T happen. Oddly enough, it's not one I want to forget anytime soon.

How was YOUR Christmas?

What is your favorite Christmas tradition that you take with you no matter WHERE you spend it?

 

Advent 2015: Waiting On God

By the beginning of November I start planning ahead for the Advent season. This year the first Sunday came and went and I still had no idea what I was going to do. I searched and searched and not one single study or specific Scripture stood out to me. Little did I know that the book I would be using was waiting in a thrift store for just 49 cents. 

Last Wednesday (the fourth day of Advent) we decided to pop into a thrift store during the break we had between an appointment and rehearsals. After doing a search for any stores that were nearby, we pulled into the parking lot to find that they were having a major sale. My Mom and I headed straight to the bookshelves. We found some great theology books (something that doesn't happen all that often in thrift stores) that were all in excellent condition. After combing through the stack, we narrowed it down to 16 titles. 

Friday rolled around and I was still anxious about what I was going to be doing for Advent...That's when I decided to look through the small selection of books we have at this house (the rest of our books are still at the other house) to see if anything could be adapted into a study that would take me through Epiphany. 

Andrew Murray's little volume titled "Waiting on God" which happens to consist of 31 days worth of meditations on the topic seemed pretty fitting. I set to work mapping out the study with the calendar. I gathered up materials that we happened to have on hand and made a simple Advent Calendar to hang up. My plan is to read one meditation and the Scripture that goes with it each day. Along the way I will journal my thoughts and keep my eyes peeled for hymns, poems, and daily happenings that go along with what God uses my study to teach me. 

I completed the first study time this morning and I can't wait for the next 30 days!!! Everything I have I owe to God and the fact that this study seems perfectly planned by Him shouldn't come as a surprise, but if I'm honest it is causing me to stand back in awe. I have so very much to learn and the weeks leading up to Christmas following a fall spent being reminded that the grace and presence of God are my greatest treasures is going to do much for my soul. 

I'll be here studying what it means to wait on God and I'm expecting Him to teach me how to do it...Our lives are full of examples of His providence, protection, and provision. May we all see His glory in a way that we've never quite seen it before this Advent season. The glimpses have already begun!

How do you celebrate Advent? 

The MOST Wonderful Time of the Year

via

It's the first day of Advent! I never realize how much I have been looking forward to this part of the Christmas season until it is HERE. 

This year I'm going through a study called "Come Lord Jesus Come" that I found over at Gospel Centered Discipleship. 

Check it out, download your own FREE copy, and be ready to have a wonderful time with God this Christmas season! 

I've just finished the reading for Day One and I'm already super excited for the the next 24 days!!! 

How are you celebrating advent this year?

Are you doing any particular study? I'd love to hear about it!!! 

Christmas Past

Two days after Christmas, I turned my computer back on. I plugged in my camera and diligently uploaded the pictures I had taken over the days leading up to Christmas. 

I set my computer aside to watch "Little Dorrit" (yes, I got something on my list!!!). Later that night, I grabbed my computer hoping to put together a post. Once again, I was greeted by a screen that stayed black (this happened back in April, and being busy, I didn't have it fixed until September). 

So, the next day, I had a date with "Torr" at Apple. Yes, his name tag said "Torr". And he took care of me! 

I have my computer back. :) Now you get an absurd amount of photos. 

On this blog I have been a bit vague. The internet scares me a little bit still...In 2013 I want to do more posts that will leave behind memories for ME. Memories that are full and complete and won't have me scratching my head later on. 

So, here it is. A post for me that I'm sharing with whoever wants in on it. 

******

I decorated the day after Thanksgiving. Unfortunately, I have a little problem. I love going ALL out. I went all out all the way through December. I got the idea to hang some snowflakes up. Then, I added glitter. Then I added more. 

I couldn't get enough. Again, those ARTISTS of mine were put to work. They cut out nearly 30 snowflakes (I think...). They'll be up until all hope of snow is gone. 

The night before Christmas....

We did some things DIFFERENTLY this year. We said good bye to red and green (mostly). We said hello to silver and blue and white. Purple was added in.

We slept in. We had waffles complete with whipped cream and strawberries for breakfast.

We skyped with my brother so that we could see his Christmas too.

We didn't exchange gifts until the afternoon. People came from far and near. We cooked a big meal. We played games (my favorite part!!!).


I love this banister...From beach towels to garlands and SOMETIMES it's even simply clean.

One of my Christmas GOALS was finding a sugar cookie recipe. I found it!!!! I'm still looking for a frosting recipe to use next year though....

Here they are, cooling, and waiting for the artists to work their magic!

I love these hands. They belong to my sister. She is so much more ARTSY than I am! Watch out people...She makes food that tastes good and LOOKS good too. Talent, I tell you!

She's always coming behind me adding HER special touch to things.

And these hands...Doing the work of a perfectionist captured by an apparently shakey photographer.

They belong to my brother, THE artist in the family. That boy can see it and explain it and recreate it. With snow or toast or pens or pencils or paint. Just watch him work.

ALMOST there. We only made a half batch of cookies and let's just say it's a good thing.

Frosting cookies is fun, but all good things MUST come to an end.

Christmas Morning

We dreamed of a white Christmas and we got it! Snow always adds a certain amount of COZY that only it can. Everyone (Great Uncle, Grandma, and friends from town) made it safe and sound.

The table was set...Christmas crackers are always involved. Apparently silverware is optional.

FINALLY everyone was here and the time came to open gifts. I love this pictures because its opener was being GOOFY. And I knew that inside was a giant dog bone....He owns no dogs. Barking dogs are the bane of his existence.

The bone was actually for OUR dog. He didn't know that until he found the message taped to the bone.

I don't know who laughed harder...

These two have been in my life for a long time. He was one of my first bus drivers...He taught me how to be teased and tease RIGHT BACK.

Family goes WAY beyond blood. For that I am grateful. Life would be a lot less fun without these two around.

He did this himself....And smiled while I took the picture.

The contents of my cracker...I have a thing for shoe horns! I wouldn't have picked a different prize if I could have. My Ghiddu (grandfather) taught me to use them and for a long time I didn't put on a pair of shoes without the one he gave me.

I don't know if anyone else even noticed how happy I was to have that pop out of mine!

Apparently there was some serious cutting to be done....

Riddles were read, crowns were worn, and understanding came...

He ate and RAN...There were LEGOS to be built. He doesn't even notice the CHAOS around him. I love that.

I did what I never do....Sat right down in the middle of chaos for another glass of juice. We call it "Jay juice" around here.

It's become a staple for all holiday get togethers since a special day at Jay's right before I left to do my student teaching back in August of 2010.

This sat out all day...You can guess what didn't even get touched. It was those vegetables in the back corner! That's just fine with me. 

Sometimes there are more important things in life that vegetables.

And then it was over. It was happy and white. We remembered Jesus. We cooked and played games and had a very happy Christmas.

 It was Christmas 2012 and it was okay after all. 

The Days that Follow: Epiphany

After Christmas, everything stays the same until Epiphany.

That is the day that represents the wise men coming to visit Jesus sometime in the years after he was born.

On this day we each get another gift from our parents. It's usually something small like a cd, movie, or whatever.

This is the beginning of the end of the Christmas season in our home. By the time Epiphany comes around the tree is all but dead. We try to get it undecorated and out of the house as soon as possible. I leave any snowmen/winter decorations up until February, but the nativity, garland, and all get put away as soon as the tree is gone.

Christmas may be over, but the birth of our Savior lives on! The joy He has brought us continues to manifest itself throughout the year.

I love Christmas for many reasons. It's a time to purposefully look back on all that God has done and joyfully look ahead to all that He will do!

The Big Day: Christmas Morning

We do not do anything special on Christmas eve.

Everything happens on Christmas morning.

When we get up, we all gather in the living room.

Somebody reads the Christmas story from Luke.

Then, we exchange gifts.

My parents get each of us three gifts (to go with the three gifts that Jesus received).

Along with these gifts are ones we've bought for each other, or from other family and friends.

Then, we do our stockings. They are full of little things like gum, candy, hair goodies for girls, little games, gloves, etc.

THEN, it's breakfast time. We usually have homemade waffles with whipped cream and strawberries.

The rest of the day is spent visiting, sledding (if there is snow), sharing our new gifts, playing games, and of course, preparing and eating the Christmas dinner.

The Days Before: The Tree

The first or second week of December, we get our Christmas Tree.

When it's ready, we bring inside.

Dad strings the lights, and then the rest of us put all the ornaments on it.

Our ornaments are all very different.

Some are from when my mom was growing up, some are homemade, some have been gifts, but most of them are ornaments that our god-parents send us every year. As you can imagine there are several boxes worth. The tree is always topped with a big gold star.

We have plain tree skirt that goes around the tree. We cut off all the low branches and have a giant nativity scene that goes under the tree.

The Days Before: Advent

We do nightly devotions during Advent season.

The things that fill this time of preparing our hearts for Christmas have changed each year.

We started with doing the Advent candles and a reading from "Jotham's Journey".

We made our way through that series over the next few years and then a few years ago, we discovered the Jesse Tree.

This year, we are celebrating Advent in several ways.

First we use the Jesse Tree. We read Scripture and a portion of a book that explains the topic of that night. Then someone opens the package containing that day's symbol that tells part of the account leading up to Jesus' birth. Whoever opened it gets to place it on the tree.

Then, we read a chapter from a book called "Come Thou Long-Expected Jesus".

The Days Before: Beginning

The day after Thanksgiving, Christmas begins!

I pull out the Christmas CD's, Christmas movies, and Christmas decorations.

Some of My Favorite CD's Are:

"The Living Room Sessions" - Chris Rice

"Christmas Sing with Frank Sinatra and Bing Crosby"

"I'll Be Home For Christmas" - Various Artists

"Favorite Carols of Christmas" - Various Artists

"Gift Rap" - CMR and Friends

Some of My Favorite Movies Are:

"It's A Wonderful Life"

"White Christmas"

"Holiday Inn"

Some of My Favorite Christmas Decorations:

Nativity Scene - especially the one that used to belong to my mom's parents

Jesse Tree

Green Garland Strung With Lights

Snowmen

Spiced Candles

No Santa Here

I wanted to mention one thing about our Christmas celebration, but couldn't figure out where to put it. So, I'll just say it now.

Jesus is the center our celebration of Christmas. After all, it is the time that we remember His birth and look forward to His second coming. As such, santa claus has absolutely no place in our lives. We do this simply because having santa takes the focus off of Jesus.

John Piper says it better than I can!

Christmas Time Is Here

Christmas. Some people celebrate it, some people don't. Everyone has their reasons for everything they do.

For some, it's "tradition"!

For some, it's just doing whatever happens.

For others, it's about making new, purposeful traditions that glorify and honor Christ because the previous generations of their family failed to do so.

So, what I'm wondering is, how do YOU celebrate Christmas?

I want to know about Christmas morning at your house as well as anything else you do in the days leading up to and following Christmas.

Our Christmas celebration has changed over the years.

Over the next few days I'll share some of our Christmas with you!