This morning something happened in our house that left me both scared and excited at the same time.
Nathan usually wakes up early, so I get him his breakfast and milk, then I make myself some coffee and sit down to read my Bible.
For Christmas, Nathan got his own little children’s Bible. We’ve been reading stories to him every night before he goes to bed so that he can become acquainted with Jesus and the Bible.
This morning, I was sitting at the dining room table, drinking my coffee, and reading Matthew 26-28. Nathan noticed what I was doing and ran upstairs to get his Bible, too. I realized then something that I already knew, but this morning it hit me harder than ever.
I am an example for my children. They are watching everything I am doing. That’s why I say that it scared me and at the same time excited me. It scared me because I know I’m not perfect. It excited me because today, at least, Nathan copied me in doing something that I pray becomes a lifelong habit for him.
Anyway, I share this experience to remind you to be careful. You are setting an example. What kind of example are you setting?
I love Christmas! It’s definitely my favorite time of the year. I love everything that comes with the Christmas season. I love both the secular and the sacred parts of Christmas.
We recently took the boys to get their pictures taken with Santa Claus. In Mexico, it seems as though the malls compete with each other to see who can have the best Christmas display. The one we took the boys to had a little area where the kids could write their letter to Santa and then stick it in the mailbox for him.
I love the look of wonder and excitement (and hope) on Nathan’s face as we do all of this stuff. Christmas is a wonderful time. Wonder-Full, or full of wonder. It’s because a long time ago, baby Jesus came to save the world. I’m filled with wonder as I contemplate all that this celebration entails.
One of my favorite bands, Third Day, sings a song called “Christmas Like a Child.” The lyrics go like this:
I want to feel Christmas, how it used to be
With all of its wonder falling on me
This season has felt so empty, oh for quite a while
I want to feel Christmas like a child
I want to see snowflakes fall to the ground
My brothers and sisters all gathered around
Singing “Away In A Manager” as we sit by the fire
I want to feel Christmas like a child
It’s been so long now, I can’t say
Just when I lost my way
But I’m going back to how it was
When this day meant everything
And we spent our time remembering
The baby Child born for us
It’s all about Jesus, asleep in the straw
This infant, this King, this Savior for all
So I don’t need bells to be ringing
‘Cause I’ll join with angels singing Gloria
And I can feel Christmas like a child
I want to feel Christmas like a child…
I pray that your Christmas will be filled with wonder and that you can experience it like a child, with all of the excitement and joy that comes with it.
Next to the ice skating rink in downtown Mexico City, they have a little place where kids can make snowmen.
So, while we were waiting to go on the ice at the rink, we went and made a little snowman. Here’s a quick video of Nathan and me making his first ever snowman with “imported” snow. It was a lot of fun.
Click here to watch the video on Vimeo.
The other day I was at work, and I opened my email to a surprise. It was an email from Janell. I love getting email from her, especially when they have pictures of the kids in them.
When Janell emailed me the pictures of them playing, the email said, “I don’t know who likes it more, but the crying has stopped (for now).”
See the video here on Vimeo.
We went out with some of the neighborhood kids to trick or treat tonight. Nathan had a lot of fun, and I had the chance to get to know some new people in our neighborhood.
Here’s a little video we tried to make for our family back home. Nathan was being a little ham.
He’s sort of grown up getting used to me having the camera nearby, so now he knows how to get a laugh.
Click here to watch it on Vimeo.
