MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

"And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” 

Luke 2:10-12

Kiera

A Thankful Christmas

The day after Thanksgiving I was still hanging back thinking about what I was thankful for while the rest of the world was rushing around buying things and getting ready for Christmas. I realized I did not just have to be thankful at Thanksgiving but I can also be thankful at Christmas time. So this post is 15 things (I'm 15 years old but not for much longer! :) ) that I am thankful for this Christmas season.

1. My relationship with my heavenly father
This is the most important relationship in my life!

2. My family
They are the best! I love them SO much. :) They put up with my craziness everyday!

3. Creation
I LOVE LOVE LOVE looking outside and seeing God's touch on everything. :)

4. Music
I love to dance and sing a long with my favorite musicians and play the piano and soon the guitar!

5. Books
Curling up in a cosy chair by the fireplace with my book and I'm good to go!

6. Friends
I am so blessed to have such wonderful Godly girls who are patient with me and make me laugh! I love hanging out with them!

7. Electronics
So much fun to try and figure out!

8. Church/youth group
Two AWESOME places to hang out!

9. Sports
GO CHICAGO BEARS AND BLACKHAWKS!!!!!!

10. My house
I love my cute pink room with a nice warm bed!

11. FOOD
Most importantly DESSERT!! Who can live without peanut butter and chocolate?!

12. Old tv shows and movies
Its so relaxing to get cozy on the couch and watch a movie or a tv show :)

13. My Bible
Some don't even have one in their own language!

14. Crafts
I love to try new things. Right now my thing is crocheting!! :)

15. Christmas
I love this time of year :)

I hope you all remember to be thankful for what you have this Christmas. JESUS is the real reason of the season!

Merry Christmas!
Kiera

White Christmas

Uh, oh! I watched White Christmas last night. Maybe that was not a good idea because after watching this and thinking how nice it would be to have a white Christmas:

I woke up and saw this:

I may be the only one glad in the area where I live that is happy about this but it does not matter. Because, I am SO happy for snow and a WHITE CHRISTMAS! A white Christmas is SO much better then a GREEN Christmas.  Merry Christmas :)

Kiera

The Imperfect Christmas

This holiday season I seemed to easily get discouraged when something went wrong or something unplanned happened. Then I got upset because the perfect /warm feeling holiday I had wanted or planned did not happen.

But, then I realized the true meaning/story behind Christmas was anything but perfect.

So, I am here to research and record what was NOT perfect about thwhen our Savior was born.

1. Mary, a virgin is pregnant (Luke 1:26-33)

2. Mary, who is betrothed, is pregnant (Luke 1:27)

3. Husband-to-be (Joseph) almost divorces wife-to-be(Mary) (Matthew 1:19)

4. Elizabeth and Zechariah are both righteous before God but childless in old age (Luke 1:5-7)

5. Zechariah is muted temporarily because of doubt until his wife has the child God promised them (Luke 1:18-23)

6. Before Elizabeth gave birth she was most likely looked down upon for being childless (historical fact)

7. Mary and Joseph had to travel on foot or by donkey for many miles to the city of Bethlehem when she was almost due and it took many days. (Luke 2:4-5)

8. There was no room in any inn so they had to stay in the place where they kept the animals (Luke 2:7)

9. Mary gave birth in a barn/place to keep barn animals (Luke 2:6-7)

10. Jesus was wrapped in cloth and laid in a feeding trough (Luke 2:7)

11. Mary and Joseph flee to Egypt to protect Jesus (Matthew 2:13-15)

12. Herod tries to find Jesus and kills all baby boys two and under in the area of Bethlehem (Matthew 2:16-18)

Wrap it up

The first Christmas was anything but perfect. So I looked to see what the reaction of Mary was. Mary realized that nothing was going to go according to her plans so instead she placed them in God's hands, embraced his plans and desired what he desired. Then she treasured what happened in her heart. This Christmas season I want to be like Mary! I think once we let go of our plans/desires when we look back we realize how much better God's were/are. God is God, why should we ever doubt him and his plans? I pray this and many more Christmas season(s) we would let him be in charge of making plans and etc. and we would just enjoy/embrace what God has planned.

Merry Christmas!!

Kiera