Meditations: The Christmas Spirit

Three more days! I don't know about you, but our house is filled with bright decorations, Christmas carols and (as you can see from my last post) lots and lots of goodies! We got our Christmas CDs out shortly before Thanksgiving, and ever since then I've been thinking on and off about the concept of the "Christmas Spirit".



We all know that Christmas is supposed to be a time of giving, but something we read last spring in Knowing God by J. I. Packer gave me a new perspective on it all.

The Christmas spirit is the spirit of those who, like their Master, live their whole lives on the principle of making themselves poor - spending and being spent - to enrich their fellow humans, giving time, trouble, care and concern, to do good to others - and not just their own friends - in whatever way there seems need.

Our culture applauds giving elaborate gifts to people we like. There's nothing wrong with giving gifts, I'm excited about the things I am giving this year! But how different is Jesus' kind giving. He gave up everything, he actually became poor so that he could meet the needs of his enemies, those who could not give back. That's radically different from what we normally hear described as the Christmas spirit. It is something we can only begin to emulate when - in the words of the verse Packer uses to close his chapter - God "enlarges our hearts" (Ps 119:32).



Along the same lines, I heard a brief comment on the radio about putting Jesus on your list of people to get gifts for. We're talking about something different from tithes here, what the old testament calls a "freewill offering". It seems like such an obvious thing to do - it is His birthday, after all - yet it's something I'd never considered before.

So as we count down to Christmas, those are some of the things on my heart. I want to give like Jesus does. I am praying that the Lord will continue to enlarge my heart. And I would encourage you to put Jesus on your Christmas list. He is very easy to buy for!

Christmas Bakers

Big Stuff

Yes, big things are happening around here. And I don't just mean getting the Christmas tree up. I mean big things with little people.

"Who, me?"

Yes, you.

On Dec. 3 (let it be recorded for the history books) Stephen Christopher rolled over! No one, of course, was as surprised as himself. It hasn't happened since but I've got a feeling about this one. When he gets moving, life is going to be exciting!

Or perhaps I should say, more exciting.

Alaina wanted a picture with her baby. Speaking of which, I must say that her baby has a much better life since Stephen's arrival. Before, Baby was hugged, rocked and fed. Now she is hugged, rocked, fed, changed, burped and washed. She sits in the bouncy seat, bumbo seat, car seat and swing. She is covered up for her naps and wears a hat on cold days. Clearly our horizons have expanded. ;-)

Our other big stuff has to do with the girl. She's moved to a big bed! (Not a moment too soon.)

Naps and all have gone well (no problems getting out of bed) and she is quite happy with the change. Several times a day she will announce "big girl" so I think all of our talk about it has made an impression.

That's our big stuff!

Observations at 4 months

Friendly

Focused

Nosey

Strong

Cheerful . . . and utterly irresistible!

So much to be thankful for!

I love Thanksgiving! I love the amazing example of the Pilgrims, the time for reflection and gratitude for God's providence, the big family meals. It's like Christmas, without the to-do list and commercialism. :-) Here is a glimpse into our Thanksgiving celebrations.

Some Indians (friendly Wampanoags, fortunately) joined my side of the family, although one of them had a cold and changed clothes before I caught him on camera. We also got to visit with Jim K. which was great fun.

My little cousins Leslie (L) and Sidney (R) were so fun to talk to and play with. Does anyone see an orange tint to Haley's skin, or is it just me?

Alaina showing off her scarf to Papi. I will (reluctantly) refrain from posting the darling pictures of the Aunts and Cousins singing The Itsy Bitsy Spider, since it was an early morning pajama party.

Uncle Kenny, Emily and the Nitchfielders out for the Christmas Light Parade. We really got into waving! The floats displayed such creativity and it was fun to do a parade at night.

More than a week spent with family - such a treat! Now it's time to get out the tree . . .

My latest sewing project . . .

has been a Sunday dress for Alaina. Kyle's Mom gave me the fabric a while back, and when it occurred to me to use it as a (much needed) dress, I knew just what to do!



I love the way it turned out! The little button detail on the collar was especially fun to do.



Our wonderful photographer, Elisha, did some pictures with bubbles. The perfect idea for a busy toddler. ;-)





They turned out to be so sweet! Great idea.





Anyhoo, that's something I've been working on for fun lately.

3 months

As you can probably tell, we've had some life circumstances that are keeping me busy - amazingly nothing to do with the little ones! My priorities have been paired down to the basics of late - loving on my family, choosing to rejoice in the Lord and remembering that all trials are temporary and for our good. :-)

Here are a few pictures of the three month old that make me smile.

Stephen is so strong! He can hold his head up for a long time and is always trying to sit up. I don't remember Alaina doing that at his age.

He continues to eat and sleep well, and he loves attention from anyone. Such a sweetie.

We actually got some family pictures done recently (whew!) and I hope to be able to put a few up soon. Just had to say hi in the meantime. ;-)

Parade!

Here are a few pictures from the homecoming parade. We all made it out, and I think we adults enjoyed it as much as Alaina did! Stephen slept through the whole thing under the care of Kay W. Thanks Kay!

A Candy Land themed float.

Alaina got a HUGE bag of candy.

Me and my girl.

Autumn Splendor

All from our yard!

Coxcomb, Mums, Black Eyed Susan's, Mini Daises and assorted ornamental weeds. ;-)

You know you live in the country when . . .

. . . your one-year-old daughter's 200 word vocabulary includes the words "tractor" and "combine". ;-)

Sweet Stephen

Our Little Munchkin is now nine weeks old. He is 15 lbs, very good at holding up that heavy head, and loves to "talk". What a wonderful little guy he is!



He started sleeping 6 hour stretches at about six weeks (even earlier than his sister!) and is now settling into a good 8-10 hour night, for which his parents are profoundly grateful! Like his sister, he has been a very easy going baby.

In some things however, his own little characteristics are starting to show. He loves to smile! You don't have to work very hard to get a huge grin from this little guy! (Getting good pictures are another thing.) We're guessing he may have a cheery disposition.

One last picture. Our stroller has come into it's own. ;-)

A Follow - Up Post

Following up on my June post: I was due on August 12th and delivered ten days early on August 2nd, Aliza was due October 12th and delivered nine days early on October 3rd! We almost had a perfect pattern going there, but little Ginetta Kate switched things up so she could be born for her parent's anniversary. Good choice Little One!

Congratulations to you all on the safe arrival of little Ginetta Kate! We're so happy for you!

My "Art"

A still life.

Action shots.

Just look at that face!

And this face. ;-)

Future bookworm.