Christmas Eve Gift

Tonight (really this afternoon) as I sit in church before Christmas Eve Mass, I will give Jesus a special birthday gift.  I will finish the last few verses to complete reading the entire Bible in a year.  I have to read Malachi and a chapter of Job and then I am finished.  I embarked on this journey last January and it feels so fulfilling to be (almost) done.  I have never actually stuck with a New Years resolution before this one. I knew I could not give up on this one (like I did on my project 365) because the person I would be letting down is pretty important. I have a feeling I might get a little teary when I finish the last word.

Reading the Bible every day this year has changed me.  I am not even sure I can put it into words here.  But I encourage you to think about starting in January.  The program I followed is very doable.  I will continue to read the Bible daily.  It is habit now.  I think having read it all once....I will be able to read even deeper as I choose various studies.

Last night we attempted one of our Christmas traditions.  After dinner, we piled in  the car and went to look at Christmas lights.  We began in a very modest neighborhood that really pulls together and does a beautiful job.

This is blurry taken out of the window of our moving car...but look they even wrap the car in lights!

Then we drove to a more affluent neighborhood that also has beautiful lights.  Although, these homes are professionally done.  

In this neighborhood, you will see limos, horse and carriages and all sorts of decorated cars bringing people around to see the lights.  It is amazing.

Santa and a professional photographer were even at this house!





This tree was AMAZING!!!!  The photos do not do it justice.

I wish I could tell you it was a Rockwell family evening but it wasn't.  The kids bickered and fought and insulted.  I got my feelings very hurt and it was not a pretty ending. I only share this because it is real and while I wish all of our family times were pleasant and loving...sometimes we argue and get on each other's nerves.  Most unfortunately, last night was one of those nights.  But today we focus on Jesus' birthday and the miracle of of our Saviour.  I am excited about Mass,  a nice dinner out as a family, our Chrsitmas Eve traditions and tomorrow morning.

Here are a few shots of our tree at night...

I realized that I have not really sat down in the living room at night and enjoyed it yet. Between our car accident (and the fallout) and all of the business of this month, I have not had the opportunity.  I am hoping to slow down, breathe and do that this week:)

Blessings to you all this Christmas.