Christmas Magic

"You could've swept in like a tidal wave
Or an ocean to ravish our hearts
You could have come through like a roaring flood
To wipe away the things we've scarred


But You came like a winter snow
Quiet and soft and slow
Falling from the sky in the night
To the earth below"

..Winter Snow by Audrey Assad..

And just like that, Christmas is through.

There's such great anticipation, wonder and a glowing thrill that when it ends I'm always somehow...surprised. This year was somehow different than the last. Wonderful in all sorts of new ways yet different. 

Perhaps it was the lack of snow (I think we might get a storm tomorrow!) the lack of a sibling (who I always seem to be missing) or that I feel like I am finally growing up. It's been a long haul, but this last Christmas kind of cemented the truth. Though the mystery and joy of the holidays and celebration of Christ's birth will always continue it's time to embrace this new stage. The stage where John and I choose to create memories for our little family of three. It's time we set up new traditions. New ideas that may or may not include opening presents on Christmas eve (that would be a first for me) or sleeping under the Christmas tree the night before Christmas, or perhaps one day reenacting the Christmas story with our little kid-lets. Whatever the future Christmas' hold I feel the need to embrace this change. I really love memories, habits and routines, but something is pulling on my coat tail to remind me that change is good. Though difficult at first, it is almost always good. 

I love spending Christmas with my parents and hopefully that will always be a part of our tradition, but I think it might be time to step out into the unknown and clear the tradition plate a little. When I really think about it, the possibilities are endless! There are a few traditions I plan to carry on (though I'll let my mom carry the banner with most of those.) but next year...we're startin' fresh, people. 

This Christmas was splendid. After Christmas Eve service(s) we drove to my parent's where we were greeted by potato soup (the best in the WORLD!) dozens of cookies, and some good 'ol cheese ball. We watched Claymation Christmas (the quirkiest Christmas movie there is.) and stayed up 'til midnight. Jack was a champ and fell asleep at home, slept the hour and a half down and fell right back asleep in his lil packnplay. That alone made up for the early Christmas morn wake up call. But after all, it was Christmas!

Jack and I were the first awake. We drew in the rising sun, brewing coffee and warm glow of the Christmas lights. It was truly magical.

And then the cousins came...we ate breakfast, opened presents, shared stories and enjoyed good coffee.

This was Jack's face almost the entire time. Of course, he was obsessed with his cousin's gifts more than anything. He wasn't aloud to touch them (always a hard thing to endure, for a first time mama! What do you say to a 6 year old who won't even let your one year old look at the gifts? Jack was a little pretty heart broken. Poor chap. I'm sure it will be done to the siblings in the future.)

...and then Jack sort of pooped out. I think he was trying to tell us he was a little Christmased out for this year. So he napped and we enjoyed cinnamon rolls and more coffee. Bless his little heart.

One of my favorite pictures and captures of Christmas. Jack last year and this year with my dad. Yes, that's the same chair. It's my dad's fav.

The magic in this year was the beautiful reminder that Jesus could have come as anyone or anything, but God chose to send Him as a sweet, small and perfect babe. Someone so small and unassuming yet He was the one who was going to save us from ourselves. So beautiful that He came as a babe to set an example of life and the simplicity that we need to have. That His long awaited coming was so small and simple. So simple and yet that night our Savior was born.

check out other captures.