It’s so easy to get wrapped up in our worldly identity and forget our primary identity–our identity in Christ. We are His. We are created by Him and for Him. We are dead to ourselves and alive through His Spirit. We are made perfect through His blood. We are made to glorify Him forever.

Oh, how quickly we forget Whose we are.

I am not my relationships.
I am not my training/degree.
I am not my job.
I am not my gifts.
I am not my failures.
I am not my location.
I am not my income.

I am not a daughter, grandchild, sister, best friend, mentor or future wife.

I am not an Intercultural Ministry major.

I am not a writer, a speaker, a tutor, a worship leader, a missionary.

I am not intelligent, funny, organized, insightful or passionate.

I am not envious, judgemental, selfish, controlling or proud.

I am none of these…

When I stand before the throne of God at the end of my earthly life, these are not the things that God will see. These are not the things that will define who I am. Jesus Christ will be my definition. He will be my identity.

I am a naked soul clothed in the righteousness of Christ.

Oh, that we would live our lives in such a way that we are daily becoming more and more like Christ. May it be that with each new day the cry of our mouths will mirror the cry of our hearts as we proclaim “More of You and less of me.” Lord, may You be my identity.

Christmas is euphoria to the senses. The sights and smells and tastes and sounds are so vast around the Christmas season. There are so many things to take in: the lights, the foods, the laughter, the carols. We experience so much of Christmas with our hands, our mouths, our ears, our senses and we don’t even realize. If only we could simply soak everything in, wrap each and every Christmas up in your memory, carry them with you even as the holiday passes and Christmas turns to winter. But alas, we can simply reflect upon the many ways we experience Christmas and enjoy them while they last, until next year.

8.) Touch. The crinkly crunch of presents as you tear the wrapping paper and pull off the sticky bows. The icy droplets of frozen snow as they fall from the heavens. The prickly pine branches that scratch your skin as you decorate the Christmas tree with astute attentiveness. The exhilarating chill of snow on bare skin, as your friend throws a perfectly-aimed snowball. The smooth warmness of fresh coffee trickling down your throat. The warm, tender embraces of the people you love and cherish.

7.) Taste. The tangy tartness of mulled apple cider, warmed to perfection on the stove. The rustic savor of tender, roasted beef that melts like butter in your mouth. The sweet minty goodness of the traditional candy-cane with its ribbon of crimson and white. The first sip of eggnog of the season, the heavy cream mixing with the nutmeg in a sea of frothy delight.

6.) Memory. The long nights of not being able to fall asleep, curled up in bed, thinking of all the presents sitting under the tree, just waiting for me. The blustery afternoons of family adventure, finding and cutting down the perfect Christmas tree. The many hours spent scavenging about for our stockings, deciphering clues leading to their final resting place. The triumphant jubilee in singing Go Tell it On the Mountain as the closing song for our Christmas service. Reading the account of Jesus’ birth aloud at the breakfast table on Christmas day, reminding ourselves to constantly return to the greatest gift of Christmas.

5.) Smell. The crisp, merry symphony of cedar, bergamot, fir needles and musk, wafting from the Christmas tree. The buttery rich, vanilla accent of fresh-baked sugar cookies. The rustic scent of a crackling, wood fire that clings to your clothes for the whole day. The spicy warmth of apple cider with a hint of cinnamon and cloves. The exhilarating tingle of a frosty mint breeze of fresh-fallen snow. The cozy, warming aroma of hot rum and buttery vanilla. The crisp scent of wrapping paper, pungent and acrid.

4.) Humour. The way our old dog, Dauber, looked when we decked him out in the santa hats and reindeer antlers. The way that movie Elf can always make you laugh, even if you’ve seen it dozens of times. The expression on his or her face when you give a friend a wonderfully horrid white elephant present. The dance parties that break out when Christmas music is blared loudly about the entire house. The hilarious costumes that unfold from wearing an ugly Christmas scarf.

3.) Sight. The wreath of holly hung on the front door, beckoning lonesome passersby a very happy Christmas. The wonder in wee ones’ eyes as their anticipation grows with each passing day. The twinkling shimmer of the Christmas tree, light permeating from silver tinsel hanging from its prickly branches. Dainty presents wrapped in shiny paper, tied atop with pretty ribbons and bows. The frosted water droplets formed together to create frozen icicles, clinging to the roof. The wide smiles on the faces of children, expressing the joy that is in their hearts.

2.) Sound. The harmonies of jolly voices proclaiming loudly the Saviour’s birth through carols of old. The sharing of tales of lore, swapping memories of Christmases gone past. The popping of the cork as you open a bottle of wine or sparkling grape juice. The constant hum of the oven, roasting those sizzling delicacies to perfection. The jingling jangle of sleigh bells and the clip-clop of horses hooves on the frozen ground. The resounding peals of laughter echoing through the rafters as family and friends gather together. The tranquil silence of night.

1.) Joy. The friends gathered around the hearth, warmed by the crackling glow, warmed in their hearts by love and hope. On Christmas Day, the simple fact that the earth joins together in some way or another to celebrate the Saviour’s birth. The exhilaration in each and every heart as families make their way together to spend time on Christmas, to share gifts, to make memories, to spread the love of Christ. The joy to the world for the Savior has come to a desperate world, our hearts aglow with the fire to proclaim the newborn king.

9.) Fruitcake. Really? Who comes up with the idea of a cake made from molasses, nuts and jellied cherries, dates, raisins, and prunes? Or worse… Who really enjoys getting and eating fruitcake for Christmas? I will admit that there are practical many uses for a fruitcake. For example, keep one underneath your pillow for self defense. Donate them to your local airport for use as airplane wheel blocks. Sink a few in the ocean in the ocean and start your own artificial reef! But really, I refuse to put it into my stomach. Obviously.

8.) Grandma Got Run Over By A Reindeer. If you are not familiar with all of the lyrics of this song, go look them up. Most people simply know the chorus, and I will admit that is it catchy and gets stuck in your brain, but songs like these are not worth playing multiple times a day on the radio. There is no point to it, there really is no humour to it for those of us who have lost love ones around Christmastime, and anyone who writes an entire four-minute song on the subject of grandma being being murdered by Santa’s sleigh obviously been drinking too much eggnog (just like grandma!).

7.) Mistletoe. Firstly, the entire concept of mistletoe and the story behind it was derived from the druid celebration of winter solstice. That aside, I feel, if you’re really in love and feel obliged to kiss someone, you shouldn’t wait until the opportune moment to stand underneath a twig. And I don’t feel that if you are caught underneath the mistletoe with someone, you should feel obliged to kiss them. Maybe I just don’t understand because I’ve never been kissed under the mistletoe and have no intentions to ever be. I also find it ironic that that, when ingested, mistletoe is actually poisonous and causes acute gastrointestinal irritation such as intense stomach pains which create butterflies in your stomach. Daw. How cute.

6.) Excessive Christmas decorations. You know those houses in the neighborhood that you could see from outer space? The ones that have every single shrub wrapped with lights? Or the houses that have the “Santa’s Sleigh 2000″ in their front yard, complete with 12 inflatable reindeer and Santa Clause? I love decorating. I love the way the lights glisten on the snow, but when people overdo decorations, it just looks tacky. In my opinion, simple is better (and cheaper too!).

5.) Eating to excess. Eggnog. Pumpkin pie. Christmas cookie cutouts. Oh, Christmas, why does it have to be so tasty? Roast beef. Turkey slices with cranberry sauce. Baked Cheesecake. Chocolate-covered nuts. Steak. Sausages. Roast Vegetables. Goodness knows how much food the average American eats between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Eve. Do we really need to eat to excess during this time just because it is Christmas? Just because the food is good and it’s tradition? We eat until we feel sick and our stomachs are bloated, when there are people around the world who are sick and have bloated stomachs because they don’t have anything to eat…

4.) Loneliness. While a lot of the previous posts have been in jest, these next couple certainly are not. I reflect upon those people around the world who are alone on Christmas. Those who are estranged from their families. Those who have lost their loved ones. Those who are overseas and cannot be home for the holidays. It saddens me to think that, for some, Christmas is a most painful and miserable time of year. There is no laughter in broken households. There are no presents under the trees for the underprivileged. There is no hope found in the birth of Jesus Christ. And how sad is it that even in the midst of our own joy and love, these people are so often forgotten and not reached out to or cherished or shown the light that shone so brightly on that Christmas day in Bethlehem.

3.) Happy Holidays. It saddens me and breaks my heart to think of how misconstrued our culture has warped the meaning behind Christmas. Especially to the point where it is now politically incorrect to call it Christmas at all. The irony, I find, in taking “Christ” out of “Christmas” and replacing it with “Happy Holidays,” is that you’re not even removing Him at all. Go back to the word entomology of the word Holiday. “1500s, earlier haliday (c.1200), from O.E. haligdæg ‘holy day; Sabbath.’” So if you want to be politically correct, calling them holidays in general is still technically religious and Christian, as it refers to the Old Testament Hebrew festivals… so why does that not offend? The Buddhists have their Vesek. The Muslims have Ramadan. The catholics have Lent. Everyone else has Mardi Gras. Why strip Christmas of the very reason it exists?

2.) Consumerism/Materialism. I hate the mall at Christmas. (Not that I really like the mall any other time of the year…) But nothing makes me more frustrated than the “Me” focus in our culture around Christmastime. Everything is on sale! You can buy this much and save so much more! You need to buy gifts for everyone in your life. Your husband, your best friend, your little Chihuahua, and still have a little cash leftover to treat yourself to the gifts you deserve. It breaks my heart to think of how materialistic of a people we have become. We so eagerly ignore all of our many blessings around this time of year, because there is always something more to be bought and to have. That’s not what Christmas is about. It’s about cherishing the things that we have. It’s about being grateful for the things that really matter. No amount of presents under the tree will lead to lasting joy and satisfaction.

1.) The lack of focus on Christ. As stated in the past couple points, it saddens me to think that our culture has stripped away the true meaning behind Christmas. Yes, family, friends, love, joy, peace… these things are important. But honestly, nothing is as important as that baby in the manger, the Saviour of the world come on that night in Bethlehem. Nothing matters but Emmanuel, the angels proclaiming the worship that He deserves, the shepherds bowing humbling down to the King. And so much is lost in Christmas without Jesus Christ. The joy is only surface deep. It only lasts for a season and quickly fades as New Year’s rolls around. But Jesus Christ, the Saviour King, knowing Him is the greatest joy that permeates every depth of our very being and will last for all eternity.

Everyone has those favourite Christmas gifts that you always remember and cherish. You hold onto them or to the memory of them long after they have been enjoyed. You put away in that special place in the closet for years because they truly meant something… Whether homemade or bought from the store, imported from China or found at a thrift store, there are few things that matter when it comes to gifts. It’s about the heart. The giver. It is a token, whether large or small, that you are loved.

10.) A grapefruit. This gift by far may be the gift that made me laugh the hardest. My friend Josh and I have an inside joke that has to do with this particular fruit… and I will admit, a grapefruit is the last thing I expected to find wrapped up for Christmas. It was completely unexpected, simple enough, and yet held a lot of sentimental meaning. Plus it tasted fabulous when I ate it a couple of days later.

9.) Travel Scrabble. Don’t laugh. Anyone who knows me well knows I love words and making up words and anything that has to do with words. For that reason, I love Scrabble. Two years ago, my parents bought me a portable travel Scrabble game. Not one of the electric ones. One of the real miniature scrabble games with the mini-tiles and the pop-in game board. Oh, it’s lovely. I’ve gotten so much use out of it. And it’s perfect because you can leave the pieces in the board and come back to it hours, days, months later. Okay. Nerd rant over.

8.) Irish tea. Last year, after I had gotten back from Ireland, my parents bought me a bulk box of genuine Irish tea, Barry’s. They also loaded my stocking with packets upon packets and tins upon tins of tea, with a lovely infuser and a variety of gadgets for the tea-lover.

7.) My American Girl Samantha Doll. It was every little girl’s ideal gift. I remember the joy I experienced as I opened up the box, and there she was, with her pretty red bow and her flowing brown hair. I had years of enjoyment playing with her, dressing her up, accessorizing and all of those lovely things that little girls love to do. And now she sits in my bedroom closet, awaiting the day when I have a little girl who can play with her as I once did.

6.) Fisher Price Dollhouse, Stable and Garage. When I was about 7, I believe, my dad brainstormed, designed and made a wooden dollhouse for my fisher price dolls, as well as a stable and a garage. They came as do-it-yourself kits. He cut apart all of the pieces and put the instructions together, and then we spent hours together in the garage, gluing the pieces together. I realize now just how much time and effort he put into them, and I’m so grateful. They were such a blast to play with growing up.

5.) Philip Zebulon Shovel the Fourth, the stuffed gopher. My best friend gave me this gift 2 years ago, after I had completed National Novel Writing Month the previous November. From that month of writing frenzy, writing a 50k novel, one of my favourite characters unfolded he interacted with the two main protagonists, portly gopher that could talk who had a fiery temper, but also had a noble and humorous heart. I thought it was brilliant, as did my friend, and so he hunted and hunted for a stuffed gopher to play the role in real life. He succeeded, and cute little Zeb has been with me ever since.

4.) The wii. 4 years ago, our family bought a Wii as a Christmas gift. Pretty much one of the most awesome gifts ever. Those first couple months of playing games together, becoming pros at wiibowl, working out to wiifit and the biggest loser, playing through games like Twilight Princess and Aragorn’s Quest. It’s always been a big party clincher, with games like wii sports and Dance Dance Revolution.

3.) A piano/keyboard. My parents have bought me a keyboard on two instances: The first was when I was 7, the second when I was sixteen. When I saw 6, my brother was learning to play the guitar and so my parents encouraged me to learn another instrument, thus their gift of a piano. It was one of those with the keys that lit up as you played and had all sorts of options to play along with pre-set songs and sounds. I honestly believe that if my parents had not bought me this keyboard, I probably wouldn’t have pursued piano lessons. And here I am, with 10 years of lessons under my belt and a love for those ebonies and ivories in my heart.

The second keyboard was a gift after I became a part of the youth worship team at my church, in 2009. My parents bought me an 88-key Yamaha keyboard, with a portable stand and a carrying case. It has certainly paid for itself time and time again, as I lugged it to and from church almost every week to play and practice and worship for several years. I plan on bringing it off to college with me, assuming it will fit in my dorm room, and think it will still be in excellent shape when I’m off to the mission field as well.

2.) My ESV Study Bible. After I came back from Ireland in 2010, I knew that I wanted a study Bible. After a summer of evangelism and spiritual growth, I wanted to continually grow and strive after Him and desired to dig deeper into His Word. So my parents gave me a lovely leather-bound study Bible, the English Standard Version, and it has been one of the best gifts I’ve ever received.

1.) Love. Friendship. Family. I know this isn’t typical per se, but I am so grateful for these gifts God has given me. With each and every Christmas, I am reminded of the things that really matter. Our friends and loved ones that we cherish. Memories of times gone by. Yes, presents are enjoyable and often make us smile, but they last only a while and someday will simply rot and decay. But love, hope, faith, salvation. These are the even greater gifts that will always be with us.

11.) “I want a hippopotamus for Christmas. Only a hippopotamus will do. No crocodiles or rhinoceroseses. I only like hippopotamuseses, And hippopotamuses like me too!” (I Want A Hippopotamus For Christmas). There really is no meaning behind this song. But for a laugh and a few minutes of childlike enjoyment, because the lyrics and the rhyming have its moments of utter brilliance, it must be classified in favourite Christmas songs.

10.) “It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas Ev’rywhere you go; Take a look in the five and ten glistening once again With candy canes and silver lanes aglow…” (It’s Beginning to Look A Lot Like Christmas) This song is my first-played song of Christmas. See, I have this rule that until the day after Thanksgiving, I will not listen to Christmas music, except for one exception: If it snows. If even we get an inch of snow, a dusting that may not last more than a few hours, this song rolls out, because it is indeed beginning to look like Christmas.

9.) “On the twelfth day of Christmas, my true love sent to me…” (The 12 Days of Christmas) This song never really did have much personal meaning to me, but I love the challenge of remembering, in order, all of the gifts on each of the twelve days, and then singing the entire last set of gifts in one breath. Plus, I’ve been told there is a bunch of Biblical symbolism behind each of the gifts, such as the True Love meaning God, giving us gifts such as the “Turtle Doves” (referring to the Old and New Testaments), “Calling Birds” (referring to the four gospels), so that rather interesting as well.

8.) “Sleigh bells ring, are you listening, In the lane, snow is glistening. A beautiful sight, We’re happy tonight. Walking in a winter wonderland.” (Winter Wonderland) There is something about this song that just invokes the happy memories that come along with Christmas: the snow, making snowmen, going on sleigh rides, snuggling up with the people you love by the fire, the magical fantasy-land that becomes a reality when December rolls around.

7.) “Here we come a-wassailing, Among the leaves so green. Here we come a-wand’ring So fair to be seen. Love and joy come to you, And to you your wassail, too, And God bless you, and send you A Happy New Year, And God send you a Happy New Year.” (The Wassail Song) This is an excellent promenading song, as you are all bundled up in your Christmas garb with a carafe of cocoa, to sing very loudly and boldly from door to door. (For those who do not know, wassailing is the Olde English term for modern day caroling.) It was written to wish your neighbors and acquaintances good health and a very merry Christmas.

6.) “Ding dong merrily on high, In heav’n the bells are ringing: Ding dong! verily the sky Is riv’n with angel singing. Gloria, Hosanna in excelsis!” (Ding Dong Merrily On High) This is another promenading song, returning to the classic English roots once again, though the song was originally written in French. I partially love this song because of its melody, the lovely using of onomatopoeia and the breathless state achieved when singing the glorias. I also love it for the lyrics, calling the people to chime with the bells and pronounce glory to God in the highest, Hosanna in excelsis.

5.) “O come, O come, Emmanuel And ransom captive Israel, That mourns in lonely exile here, Until the Son of God appear. Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel, Shall come to thee, O Israel.” (O Come, O Come Emmanuel) Emmanuel. God with Us. It is such a lovely promise. This song echoes the cries of our hearts as we are captive to our sin, captive to our lives without Him, until He came to this earth, came into our lives to renew us, to show us the light of His salvation.

4.) “Little Baby, pa rum pum pum pum. I am a poor boy too, pa rum pum pum pum. I have no gift to bring, pa rum pum pum pum. That’s fit to give the King, pa rum pum pum pum, pum pum pum pum, rum pum pum pum.” (The Little Drummer Boy) I already blogged about this song, because I like it so much. So take a peek at the last post, if you missed it, and you’ll see why it’s one of my favourites.

3.) “Go tell it on the mountain, Over the hills and everywhere, Go tell it on the mountain, That Jesus Christ is born.” (Go Tell It On The Mountain) It’s impossible to hear this song and not find yourself clapping and dancing along. It is a song of joy, in celebration that the Christ has come, a call to all who believe to proclaim the Good News!

2.) “Silent night, holy night. Son of God, love’s pure light. Radiant beams from Thy holy face, With the dawn of redeeming grace. Jesus, Lord, at Thy birth. Jesus, Lord, at Thy birth” (Silent Night) It is such a mystery to me, this little baby, Jesus Christ, from the very moment of His birth, He was God. He was the Saviour of the world, who loved us so much to enter into a world of sin and darkness, to bring His radiant light and salvation… even as a tiny baby, this was His plan. This was His purpose.

1.) “Fall on your knees. Oh hear the angel voices. Oh night divine. Oh night when Christ was born.” (Oh Holy Night.) These lyrics always bring to mind the passage in Isaiah 6, when Isaiah is brought before the throne of God and the angels are exulting Him with voices loud. “Holy, Holy, Holy is the Lord God Almighty. The whole earth is full of His glory.” On that night in Bethlehem, in that little manger, the presence of God Himself dwelled on the earth. How can we not fall to our knees in worship of Him? How can we not be like the Magi and the shepherds who saw Him with their own eyes and bowed low and worshipped?

12 Things I Love About Christmas

12.) The Red cups at Starbucks. The Christmas season is always started off right with a favourite hot coffee or tea beverage in the iconic red cups from Starbucks. Even if I don’t frequent Starbucks often, if ever, it is a requirement to stop by at least once between Halloween and January. Even if it sounds silly that a different colour coffee cup can bring joy on Christmas, it’s true. Hurrah for the simple things of life.

11.) Scarves and sweaters. Yes, I’m a girl, and I love Christmastime for the sheer delight of dressing up in sweaters and scarves and being toasty warm. Who can deny their love for the totally tacky Christmas sweaters? The ones with the dangling ornaments from the front or a ginormous Santa face, completely with hat and beard? Mmm. The perfect pair of mittens and a warm fuzzy hat make it all complete.

10.) The movies. Some movies are simply classics that my family watches every year. It’s a Beautiful Life. Elf. The Little Drummer Boy. Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer. No matter how old you are or how many times you have seen them, you always cheer the moment when Clarence gets his wings, or giggle along as Buddy the Elf puts syrup on his spaghetti, or secretly hope along with Hermey as he pines to be a dentist.

9.) The Little Drummer Boy. I love the imagery that this song paints, as the little drummer boy comes before the baby Jesus, Mary and Joseph with nothing but the humblest of gifts to bring. He came with nothing but himself and his drum, not with magnificent gifts of gold or myrrh, not with pomp and circumstance. He came with all he had, himself, and he worshipped the Christ in the best way he knew how. And I cannot think of a better position to celebrate Christmas, with humility, with gratitude, with joy in bringing ourselves before Christ and giving Him the praise and honour that He deserves in the best ways that we can.

8.) Christmas lights. It’s a tradition at my house, after the Christmas eve service, after we have each opened one Christmas present, we will load up into the car with carafes of hot cocoa and drive about town, looking at houses adorned with Christmas. It is so beautiful to see the twinkling icicle lights glimmering across the shimmering snow. I love seeing how creative people can be, how dynamic the colourful lights promenade through the darkness with hues of yellow, reds, purples, greens, and blues.

7.) Reading the Christmas story. There is nothing more lovely than sitting down by the fire, snuggling up in a warm blanket, opening the Bible and reading those first words in Luke 2 that everyone has practically memorized. “In those days, Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world.” The stage is set. A manger in Bethlehem, surrounded by donkeys and oxen, waiting to ring in the birth of the Saviour. The characters wait for their parts to play: Herod, the magi, the shepherds, Mary and Joseph, the angels in the heavens above. And the event that changes the course of history for all of eternity, the birth of a baby, the Son of God, Jesus Christ, Emmanuel. The story unfolds through the pages of the Bible, a recounting of a story that happened thousands of years ago, that still changes and moves and impacts us even as we read it today.

6.) Embracing the inner child. You cannot honestly tell me that as teenagers, college students, even adults, there is not a thrill to Christmas morning. Waking up and wandering downstairs in your pajamas, seeing the tree so brightly glistening, seeing the presents wrapped just so delicately (or not so delicately depending on the giver). Even if the thrill is not as present the older you get, you always reflect upon those early years when Santa had come, and you threw yourself onto your parents’ bed at the wee hours, singing loudly that it was time to open the presents. Even though I did not believe in Santa Clause for most of my childhood years, I enjoyed playing along with my little cousins as they tracked Santa’s sleigh online and wrote letters and put out the milk and cookies. (I also enjoyed eating a couple of the cookies once the kids had gone to bed.)

5.) Snow. Though you really cannot tell, as my blog background is white, it’s snowing! I love snow. I love the crisp white flakes as they gracefully fall from heaven. They coat the corners of our windowpanes with the most ornate stained glass masterpiece. And with snow comes the snowball fights, the sledding, the broken collarbones… (Just kidding.) Snow is such a beautiful thing, and a Christmas just doesn’t quite feel like Christmas without it.

4.) Gifts. I love giving gifts, and I’d be lying to say that I don’t enjoy getting them as well. There is something about picking out a gift that’s just perfect for the people you love, something that’s quirky and cute and useable and sums up your relationship just right. I love the smile that comes on their faces as they unwrap gifts, the joy that comes when they love it as much as you hoped they would. I also love wrapping presents, even if I’m not the best at it. I tend to go a little over the top at times, with ribbons and bows and lots of tape.

3.) Songs and carols. Yes. I love Christmas music. I really could listen to it over and over again, no matter if it’s December or July. There is nothing more uplifting than listening to classics that bring praise to the baby Jesus Christ. The lilting lyrics of O Come, O Come Emmanuel or the worship that pours forth from Oh Holy Night. The joy that bubbles over when you dance along to Go Tell it On the Mountain, or the triumphant glory of Hark the Herald Angels Sing. Who cares about Frosty and Rudolph when Jesus Christ is coming to town!

2.) Spending time with family. Around these holidays, as the weather gets nippy, as the days get darker by the hour, there is nothing more enjoyable than gathering around the kitchen table and enjoying time with family. Whether it is while eating dinner together, or playing a game of Scrabble, or watching Elf or Frosty the Snowman, there is something about Christmas that draws families together.

1.) Celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ. There is something simply perfect about heaven’s plan of salvation being welcomed to earth as a baby. There is no greater joy in Christmas than celebrating the Son, Jesus Christ, who came to earth as an innocent babe to grow up to die to save the world. And when all the lights and gifts and trees and songs and cookies and parties are stripped away, He is the only thing that matters. As is said in that cliché fashion, He truly is the reason for the season.

I’m thankful for curling up on the couch watching the Purina Dog Show, like I’ve done every year since I was little. I’m thankful for the wafting aromas of pungent cranberries, fresh-brewed coffee, slow-roasting turkey, the smells of Thanksgiving. I’m thankful for all the smiles and the hugs and the laughs and the joy that so often epitomizes this holiday. I’m thankful for a day off of work and school and the hubbubs of every day life, a day of rest and relaxation.

I’m thankful that Thanksgiving is the perfect way to start off the Christmas season, by giving thanks to God for all He has done, all He does each and every day, and all He will do in the year to come. It truly is the perfect way to prepare our hearts for the celebration of His birth, the most glorious gift we should be thankful for…

So enjoy your lovely holiday, friends! Thank you all for taking the time to read and reflect with me this Thanksgiving season. May you be blessed as we together lift our praise and thanks to our amazing Father today and every day. Happy Thanksgiving!

I’m thankful that we were made for loving Him, that our lives were made to be a constant outpouring of love and praise and adoration. I’m thankful that worship is our response to who He is and all that He does. I’m thankful that Scripture makes it so clear that we are to worship Him with all aspects of ourselves, with our minds, our souls, our bodies. We are to pour out our souls to Him, lift up our souls to Him, love Him with our souls, boast in Him with our souls. I’m thankful that we are to know Him and declare true things about Him. I’m thankful that we are to cherish and treasure the truth about Him, as we cherish and treasure Him. And I’m thankful that we express with our bodies the outpouring of our hearts.

I’m thankful for songs that lead us to the throne of grace. I’m thankful for lyrics that cause our hearts to sing and overflow and lift Him up. I’m thankful for Amazing Grace and It is Well With My Soul. I’m thankful for You Won’t Relent and Lovers Of Your Presence. I’m thankful for One Thirst and For Who You Are. I’m thankful for Forever Reign and Hosanna and Revelation Song.

I’m thankful that we can raise our hands because God is worthy to be exalted. I’m thankful that we can kneel in humble silence because we are completely dependent upon God for mercy and sustenance. I’m thankful that our feet can move for joy and we can dance because sin has been cleansed and we’ve been set free through Jesus Christ. I’m thankful that God is worthy of our deepest, our strongest and our purest affections, and that our bodies should show it.

My heart is steadfast, O God! I will sing and make melody with all my being!
Awake, O harp and lyre! I will awake the dawn!
I will give thanks to you, O Lord, among the peoples;
I will sing praises to you among the nations.
For your steadfast love is great above the heavens;
your faithfulness reaches to the clouds. -Psalm 108:1-4

I’m thankful for clothes still warm from the dryer. I’m thankful for gooshing mud through your bare toes. I’m thankful for a warm cup of tea by the fireplace with a good book. I’m thankful for the excitement when I get an actual letter in the mail. I’m thankful for sleeping stretched out in the backseat during family road trips. I’m thankful for the times a song comes on the radio and it’s exactly the song I need or want to hear at that specific moment. I’m thankful for the comfortable silence between close friends. I’m thankful for brand new pairs of socks, without holes in them yet. I’m thankful for taking off your shoes and being barefoot in the summer, feeling the cool grass. I’m thankful for way your skin get all wrinkly and pruny when you wash the dishes by hand. I’m thankful for pajama dance parties and silly sleepovers. I’m thankful for belting Adele in the car when no one’s listening. I’m thankful for daydreams.

I’m thankful for that first spoonful of mint chocolate chip ice cream. I’m thankful for watching shooting stars in the night sky, away from the city lights, when all is calm and the crickets are chirping their lullabies. I’m thankful for when you crack a joke and everyone laughs. I’m thankful for when you walk out of a final exam, knowing you’ll never have to take it again. I’m thankful for launching water balloons at cows 200 yards away. I’m thankful for the first snowflakes, when you stand out in the open with your mouth wide, hoping to catch them on your tongue. I’m thankful for the thrill of jumping into puddles. I’m thankful for the perfect parking spot you see out of the blue. I’m thankful for hockey games with my daddy. I’m thankful for eating all the marshmallows out of a box of Lucky Charms and leaving the rest. I’m thankful for fezzes and bow ties. I’m thankful for a perfect performance after a terrible rehearsal.

I’m thankful for candlelight glowing on polished wood. I’m thankful for blowing out all of your birthday candles. I’m thankful for eggnog and pumpkin, when you know that Thanksgiving and Christmas are right around the corner. I’m thankful for when the groom kisses the bride for the first time. I’m thankful for a back rub after a day at work and a six-mile run. I’m thankful for improv jam sessions with my brothers. I’m thankful for accomplishing something you set out to do. I’m thankful for “I love you.”

And lastly, I’m thankful that this list could go on for pages and pages and ages and ages, and I would never stop finding little things, simple pleasures, to be thankful for.

I love to laugh. I’m thankful that laughter is so often the expression our heart takes when it overflows with joy. It is such a beautiful thing. Reflecting upon the joy of the Lord through laughter puts life back into perspective, as we focus upon the joys of knowing Christ, of being set free from bondage, of being loved by the awesome God of the universe. I’m thankful for a God who gave us the ability to find joy in the little things in life. I’m thankful that joy and laughter, sorrow and tears are all a necessary part of life, leading us closer to becoming more like Christ, teaching us to praise Him in all circumstances. I’m thankful that laughter is contagious. I’m thankful for the power that laughter holds in making a difference, not only in our own lives and circumstances but in the lives of others as well. I’m thankful that even in the darkest of days, when all seems wrong with the world and all is asunder, joy comes with the morning.

I’m thankful for the many different aspects of laughter. I’m thankful for the laughter in worship that just bubbles over as I’m dancing before His throne. I’m thankful for silly giggles over certain hollywood actors, like all teenage girls do at some point in their life. I’m thankful for hearty laughter shared over the dinner table with my family. I’m thankful for uncontrollable laughter at the wee hours of the morning when everyone is tired and hyper and the silliest things become dreadfully hilarious for no reason. I’m thankful for laughter that erupts in the heat of turmoil, when you are frustrated beyond no end, and you throw your hands up and laugh. I’m thankful for laughter and joy that comes after my heart is broken, after I have wept until my sobs become silent, and I’m laid bare, and He reminds me of His tender mercies, His loving promises.

I’m thankful that God gave us the ability to laugh. That He molded and created us to share and express joy in Him and with Him and because of Him. It is a truly beautiful thing. So let’s spend a moment thanking Him and cherish the giggles, the guffaws, the chortles, the snickers, the cackles, the titters, and the laughter in our lives.