December #jammed: Grace, gifted.

Day 342: Counting down..

Teach us to number our days
    so that we may truly live and achieve wisdom. Psalm 90:12

“The counter downer!” They shrieked, “THE COUNTER DOWNER …THE CHRISTMAS COUNTER DOWNER!!!!”

When we open that first box in December, it seems like it will take an eternity to get to the top window where Santa is flying with his reindeer from the roof. It’s Christmas madness at it’s best, watching my two daughters fly down the stairs every morning in a race to see what’s inside the next dimly lit window of the Christmas Counter Downer House.

Every year that they let the magic of Christmas overtake them, I relish in what I will never be able to get back again. The growing up will keep happening, and though the new memories will be just as sweet, the innocence of childhood at Christmastime will move on. I’m blessed at how it’s warmed my soul through my littles’ childhoods. Blessed that we could have fun traditions and Advent Christmas trees and fill shoe boxes to go to Africa and make Happy Birthday Jesus cake …

The Christmas calendar is full, and I don’t mind that it bleeds back into November a little more each year, because I want to enjoy every Christmas story about my God who came to earth as a little babe to save us all …listen to every version of every carol about how sweet Jesus is …because with every Christmas season that passes I get little wiser.

I learn a little more.

He teaches me.

He’s showing me …through the extravagance of Christmas …how big of a deal He really is. I see Him a little more in every tradition we honor, and love the opportunity the season provides for giving even more than usual. Beyond what’s reasonable.

Every day life counts down. We are one day closer to seeing Him face to face. Can we live life like everyday is as exciting as the Christmas Counter Downer? Running down the stairs to see what kind of day He’s got waiting for us outside our window? Are we open to living life abundantly …in His abundant grace? In celebration of Him?

Father, Praise You for CHRISTMAS. Thank You for Jesus, and the entire season dedicated to celebrating Him. Forgive us for getting caught up in the commercialism, and help us to stretch everything we do to honor You, this Christmas, and every day. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

 Get the conversation started by commenting below, and let’s encourage one another as we face life in 2017 armed with grace! 

#greatgrace17

Happy Counting,

Megs

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