4 more days!

We do not go out much when it is cold outside.  Noah does not like this too much, because he gets bored! I try to come up with grand ideas to make the day more fun; sometimes it works, and other times it's a huge disaster! :) One thing that has been a lot of fun is doing our Advent crafts.  We are new to the whole "Advent" season.  I did not even know what Advent meant before this year.  Thankfully I have had a sweet mom share great advent ideas with me. Before doing our Advent devotions, our family devotion time has been random, and ineffective.  What I love so much about Advent is that we are preparing for Christ's birth. This is not something that happens just at Christmas two thousand plus years ago.  Christ is coming into our worlds still today. This came to mind when we were spending some playtime outside because it was warm.  I thought to myself, "This doesn't feel like Christmas!". What does Christmas really feel like anyway? What did Christmas feel like when Jesus was born? Was it cold? I feel safe saying that the temperature of the night wasn't not the main focus.  I'm so thankful for fellow moms sharing ideas with me, because this Advent devotion has certainly altered my perspective of Christmas!  We have 4 more days of preparing for the birth of Jesus. What if we celebrated Christmas all year long?
My best friend, Marissa, is in labor right now! She is about to have sweet Judah William Jenkins! It has been so easy to think about Mary during this time. Only, Mary did not get to pick Jesus' name, because his name was chosen for him: Jesus "The Lord saves". I love that He has lots of other names that we can call on anytime we need Him.

"For to us a child is born,
   to us a son is given,
   and the government will be on his shoulders. 
And he will be called 
   Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, 
   Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace." Isaiah 9:6