Where is the Baby Jesus?

Yesterday we opened and set up the nativity. Here it is when I did it.
We read the first Christmas story. Claire was concerned that the cow was going to lick the baby Jesus. And also wondered where His cake was. "Since it is his birthday, right?"

Then the Nick tried his hand at making the Nativity come to life... Surprisingly it was an action story instead of a drama like I always assumed. Then the cow took out the baby Jesus (Claire was evidently on to something).

Then we played 'what's missing'. Where Claire or mommy takes something; in this case a person or animal from the nativity and the other person has to guess 'what's missing'.
Claire was really good at the making things disappear part:

So good in fact that now Baby Jesus is now missing. I hope he's under the couch and the cow did- not in fact- "lick his hairs off".
I encourage you to read through the story again and really imagine it. I am seeing it in a new light through these kids of mine and it's amazing how many things I never noticed or given much thought to. I hope to rediscover Christ this Christmas and I pray the same for all of you.

Jesus Shines

Jesus Shines night and day to show us the way.

"...And behold, the star that they had seen when it rose went before them until it came to rest over the place where the child was." Matthew 2:9b

Please continue to remember that Jesus goes before you, preparing the way and knows what there is to come. He will never take you down a road you couldn't handle.

Advent

This year I made my own Advent calendar. I made it out of a mini muffin tin and some magnetized scrapbook paper and stickers. I am quite fond of it. And the thing I am most fond of is the storage space it takes up, or lack of storage space; I can fit it into my pocket!

I can also use the tin for other things, baking muffins and cupcakes of course but also countdowns to vacations, birthdays and other holidays.
I even made some small magnets to put inside. Since the books I bought won't fit in the tiny cup, there will be a present magnet (sticker stuck to a business card magnet and cut out). A matching sticker will be on one gift wrapped book for the kids to open that day.
Can you tell I'm excited!?

I am hoping that doing advent this year will keep us focused on the true meaning of the holidays. Jesus' birth, God's sacrifice and our Hope.

Merry Christmas!