CHRISTMAS READS

CHRISTMAS READS

Let's talk birthdays and births in December for a moment. Everyone take a breath. I am not pregnant! But in December 2009 I was, and my little one was due on Dec. 19. There's so much I could say about that Christmas! As I listened to Christmas Carols and read the Christmas Story I related to Mary in a way I never had before. I imagined myself traveling a long distance (and not in comfort I might add) to end up giving birth in a stable. I imagined laying my new, fresh baby in a manger. I don't know about you guys, but I've been in some barns recently. I've cleaned barns recently, and my newborn would not be in there no matter if it was child #4 like in my case.

I entered that season doing as much Christmas "normal" as possible, knowing that at some point normal was going to go by the wayside, and others might have to step in and keep things going while I tended to a new baby. I also stressed to my 3 girls that we were about to receive an unbelievable gift so much more valuable than anything that would be put under the tree. We celebrated the precious life that would soon be joining us!

Madeline L'Engle deals with the changes of a new baby around Christmas in her book the Twenty-four Days Before Christmas. Told from the viewpoint of eight-year-old Vicky who hopes that the baby will hold off being born until after her Christmas play so Momma can see her in it, this precious book helps to change the mindset of inconveniences to blessings.

Since we had a December birth in our home, that means we have a December birthday! Therefore December does not mean all Christmas celebrations for us, but also the stopping and celebrating of our son, Isaac! As much as possible we focus on him for the day and how much he means to us! Got to Get to Bear's! is the story of a squirrel who has been summoned to Bear's house in the middle of a snow storm. She knows that Bear wouldn't ask her to come unless it was important. It takes a whole bunch of friends to get her there and for what? It's a secret, but it's a birthday party!