Christmas was full of firsts this year for us. We left Sunday after church and headed to south Fayetteville, for an early Christmas with Lisa's side of the family. I always enjoy her family, but this year, we gave a special gift to my niece, Tori, in the form of a small ball python. She had been wanting one most of the past year, since she saw mine. The look on her face when we gave her the little snake and his aquarium was definitely a "Kodak moment."
We came home for Christmas at our house, joined by my mom & dad. They had never spent Christmas Eve with us, and we all attended Hebron's Communion service, then later attended a midnight candlelight service at Grayson United Methodist Church. Both are very different in style, yet very worshipful in content.
We opened a few presents on the Eve, then got up the next morning for a Christmas Day joined by my brother Mark & his wife. Mark had never been up for a Christmas with us, and in fact had only been to our house here once or twice over the past 8 years. I was real happy to have them and our parents here. It would have been perfect if my other brother Rick and his family could have been here from Texas.
Every year, there are so many memories to be made- and held for a lifetime. I am reminded of what the Bible says of Mary, Jesus' mother, on several occasions around His birth- "And Mary pondered all these things, treasuring them in her heart." Its amazing to imagine the memories she was making, definitely for a lifetime. Like her, I want to treasure the ones Christ gives me, at Christmas and throughout the years.
Rob