It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas!!!!

Counting the days until my mom arrives..I usually wait until she gets here to decorate for Christmas so that we can share in the fun together! We decorate the tree, my mom made most of the ornaments throughout the years, and they are Lovely! She is also a glitter girl!! More importantly, we put up the manger scene, as we have done for so many years. As she unwraps each piece she tells the story of the person the piece represents. When I was younger, I remember being impatient with this project, always in a hurry to get things done!!...."I know mom! I know about the wise men. I know about the baby Jesus and how He came to be born in a manger. I know...I know...I know...." (truly I don't know how she put up with me:-) But she continued to recount the stories as she lovingly places the baby Jesus in the middle, with Mary & Joseph on either side. The cow and the sheep close by to warm the Messiah. The wise men following bearing gifts, their camels in tow. Angel Gabriel trumpeting the arrival of the birth of Our Lord stands to the side. There are so many beautiful pieces, that represent the story of life. This weekend she will unwrap each piece, and tell their stories, and place each piece with perfection..only now, I am so full of Joy to hear the stories once again, and can hardly wait to get started! This is one of my most treasured family traditions. Helping my mom with the manger...you see, it had been her manger and she had it for many years. Now it is mine as she gifted it to me about 6 years ago. What a treasure indeed! And what a time it will be!!