Saturday, December 13, 2008

It's the Baby

Well, it's time for me to sign off for the holidays. Christmas is coming early to our family and lasting more than twelve days. We will be going to spend the first Christmas our kids will ever remember with their grandparents. I'd say it's about time. We are all excited. But there is much left to do. First, though, a sweet Christmas memory.
Lee and I have always sung in our church's Christmas musical. Our kids have sung along with the CDs as we've learned them, and they probably do a better job of memorizing the music than many of the choir members. Each year there is a song or two sung by the children's choir. Before our kids were old enough to take part, they always loved hearing these the best. One such song that the kids would belt out at the top of their lungs was about the real meaning of Christmas:
It's the Baby in the manger
Tiny infant sweet and small
It's the Baby, He's our Savior
Come to earth to save us all,
Come to earth to save us all.
Bethany was only 2 1/2 that year, and we thought we might be pushing our luck taking her to church on Christmas Eve. Not to worry. She was immediately enthralled by the candlelight. As the Biblical account of the events surrounding the birth of Christ was read, images from a children's book depicting the scenes were projected onto a large white wall above the platform. I was grateful that we were seated near the back, for little Bethany would not be deterred from standing on the pew to get as close as she could, and exclaiming, "It's the mommy! It's the daddy! It's the baby!" Never has there been purer, more joy-filled worship. She sang her heart out with the carols, even though she didn't know half the words. Blessed Christmas, indeed.
Now the kids sing with the choir, and it is our delight to listen as they lead us to worship the Baby...
who grew into the Man...
who would be our Savior
Christmas blessings to you and your family!
Note: Last year when only about four (dear, sweet, wonderful) people read my blog, I wrote a few posts with my thoughts about Christmas. If you're interested, you can find them here:

21 comments:

Betty said...

I wish you a blessed time with your family and will miss your posts!
Will be waiting for your return and an account of how your Christmas went.

Merry Christmas!

Dawn said...

Have a wonderful Christmas! Thanks for continuing to check in on me! You helped encourage me to come back this morning and try it some more!

Aunt Julie said...

Have a Merry Christmas, and a Safe New Year. I LOVE your Nativity. Is that from Russia, too?

Joy said...

That is a sweet memory of Bethany at Christmas Tracy,
Enjoy Christmas with all your family. I'll look forward to catching up with you in the New Year.
I love that wooden Nativity set. Is that one you have at your house?

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year,

Joy
Micah 5:2

Unknown said...

What a beautiful memory! Sweet little girl.

merry Christmas my friend. I hope you have a lovely time with family and friends and enjoy the beauty of the season.

Skeller said...

Merry Christmas to you and your family, Tracy!

Melissa Lester said...

Merry Christmas! I hope you have a blessed 12 days of celebration with family, and I guess we will see you again in the new year!

Tracy P. said...

Thanks friends! The nativity set is one I bought many years ago when I was single. It's simple, and the kids can play with it and not break it. Love it.

StitchinByTheLake said...

I loved this story - children are the magic. Merry Christmas! blessings, marlene

Marrdy said...

Have a wonderful Christmas. You ahve been a gift to me this year!

I have a neice who takes baby Jesus out of his manger and holds him all day long. It's so sweet!

A Thinker said...

While I fully respect your commitment to family time at Christmas (and your self-control in taking a blogging break) - I have to admit that I keep checking back, hoping you've fallen off the wagon and posted something. I miss your blog!

stefanie said...

Merry Christmas! May your family time be blessed.

Love your Nativity, thanks for leading me to worship simply this morning.

Lisa @ The Plain-Spoken Pen said...

Wishing you and your family a blessed and joyous Christmas!

Tiffany said...

That was beautiful! The innonence and openness of children should be a lesson to us all.

Hope you and yours have a truly blessed and happy Christmas!

Melissa B. said...

And a Merry to You and Yours, as well! BTW, please don't forget my Sx3 tomorrow...it's seasonal-and hysterical!

WheresMyAngels said...

Merry Christmas!

Have a blessed holiday with your family.

I love the nativity scene, is it yours? I haven't seen one like it before.

Preston said...

I hope you have/had a great time with your family and Merry Christmas!!

sherryandsteve said...

I have a nativity just like that! I love the simplicity of it.
Watching and listening to children at Christmas is the best. Enjoy.
Have a wonderful Christmas!!
sherryB

Dawn said...

Merry Christmas!!!

Unknown said...

Very vood blogging!

Dawn said...

Hope you are having a great holiday! Happy New Year!