I love this time of year . . . the days starting with Thanksgiving week leading into Christmas . . . the flow of gratefulness into the celebration of the birth of our Savior.

For me there really is no delineation between Thanksgiving and Christmas . . . no real break or boundary between the two. For me it’s all the Holidays . . . the Holy Days . . . the days that are sacred and holy and beautiful and busy.

Not every moment will be spent in quiet contemplation. Most won’t. But there will be moments . . . moments when I stop to wonder and ponder what Mary must’ve held in her heart leading up to the days of the birth of Jesus. When I think of the young girl, hugely pregnant, riding on a donkey into Bethlehem only to find there was no place, other than a stable, to give birth to the Savior of the world. There will be moments in the midst of what is quite possibly our busiest time of year . . . running from basketball practices and games to field trips and parties . . . from baking to gift wrapping to church activities and office celebrations . . . that I pause and feel overwhelming praise and gratitude to God for the blessings in my life.

It’s not just during this season that all these things are true. Gratefulness and gratitude should be abundant year-round, but there’s something about these days that amplifies it for me. That reminds me to cherish these moments that are fleeting . . . to be fully present with those I love.

I haven’t written nearly as much these past few months as I would like. Life has kept me occupied to say the least. But from now until Christmas, I won’t be on here. I pray that God blesses you with quiet in the midst of chaos, with moments to reflect on all He has done for us, and that you remember that He loves you infinitely more than you can imagine . . .

For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. John 3:16

Happy Holidays!