JESUS...

the only REASON for the Season!

For as long as I can remember, we have put the manger scene up as the first decoration of the Christmas season. This helps us to keep in perspective Who this time of year is all about and Whose birthday we are celebrating!

(As a side note: this is the manger scene that I made about 30 years ago. I bought it at Hobby Lobby. It was unpainted ceramic which I painted and glazed. An heirloom for sure.)

Since the grandchildren have come, we place every person and animal in it's place, but do not put out baby Jesus. Instead, He has been placed in a special gift tin tied up with gold ribbon. Then on Christmas morning, He is the very first gift we open - for He is the very BEST GIFT we could ever receive in our lives!

Sometime during the day we will have a birthday cake and sing Happy Birthday to Jesus!

For the past 4 or 5 years we have ALL taken part (gparents, parents, gchildren) and enacted the Christmas story from Luke 2 - in costume, singing, and action! The gchildren ask me each year are we going to do this again?!

Another special memory maker is making Graham Cracker Gingerbread houses!

I think the gkids have more fun making them, licking their fingers, and scarfing down a piece of candy sprinkle or two, than actually eating their finished creations!

What a wonderful time of year to walk in peace (Jesus is my Peace) and love (God is Love).

Click HERE to enjoy the photoshow of the gkids setting up the manger scene and making their gingerbread houses.