What about Jesus?

We started reading an Advent book this week, It's actually a book where we do a Jesse Tree, something new for our family. I was doing the reading, and in some parts of it, it was hard to hold back my tears.

I'm so glad we are doing this, preparing our hearts, and our childrens hearts for what Christmas really is. It is SO easy to get caught up in all the gift giving and worrying about presents. I was brought up as most of us, anticipating opening presents, and giving gifts at Christmastime. I enjoy this time of year, and shopping for other people, and thinking about what they would enjoy, it doesn't really stress me out, I like doing it. I love having the tree up, and sitting in the room just w/the christmas tree on, enjoying the lights. My husband on the other hand, is more of a humbug when it comes to the tree and decorating and shopping. Kevin and I have actually been arguing about money latley, and of course, I want my kids to have things they want for Christmas, but I have lost my perspective latley. So, maybe God put this whole "teach the kids Advent" thing in my heart for ME, not just for them. I haven't wanted to do Santa for a few years, and i'm hoping this year, we can just do away with that whole Santa thing. To me, I just feel like I'm lying to my kids, and I get a weird feeling about it, I just don't like it! It just really takes away from Jesus, and they focus on the man in the red suit more then anything. Don't get me wrong, I ADORE seeing my kids opening presents, and I love the idea of it all, getting them things they want, and watching their faces as they open them, but the thought crosses my mind how so much is taken away from what Christmas really is. Sometimes I think, maybe we should do a gift exchange in the summer, and in December focus on Jesus.

We were reading about the beginning, and about the Fall, and how after Adam and Eve had been deceived by the serpent, and they were hiding in the garden and God called out , "Where are you?"

Obviously God knew where they were. I'm not exactly sure why he called out to them, maybe just to see how they would answer?

In the devotional, she wrote, " When we are lost, God will go looking and when we are hiding, God keeps hunting, and it's when we have fallen and sin's fangs have pierced our naked hearts straight through, God comes calling, "Where are you?" This is when my heart started aching and I felt like I wanted to cry. Just the thought of God saying, "Where are you?" He loves us so much, and yet, we go through our days, forgetting him, not thinking about him, not spending time with him. I look at all the beautiful Christmas lights on people's houses and wonder about the families inside the house, and who and what they are celebrating, and do they know Jesus? Do they know what or why they are even celebrating?

I pray that this year, I put more emphasis on Jesus, and how much he loves me, and you, and teach my kids more about Jesus, and who we are celebrating.

This morning I was sent an email with an awesome video and story attached that I want to share. Here's the story behind it ~

Here’s the story behind the song:

"While at the mall a couple of years ago, my then four year old nephew, Spencer, saw kids lined up to see Santa Claus. Having been taught as a toddler that Christmas is the holiday that Christians celebrate the birth of Jesus, he asked his mom, "where's the line to see Jesus"? My sister mentioned this to my dad, who immediately became inspired and jotted words down to a song in just a few minutes. After putting music to the words, and doing a quick recording at home, he received a great response from friends. He sent the song off to Nashville without much response, except for a Christian song writer who suggested adding a bridge at the end of the first chorus. My dad then asked if I wanted to record the song to see what we could do with it. I listened to the song, made a few changes to the words to make it flow better, and we headed to Shock City Studios. It was at the studio where Chris, owner and producer, rewrote the 2nd verse and part of the chorus... with goosebumps and emotions high, we were all hopeful and felt like we had something special. The demo was recorded in just under 2 hours and sent off again to Nashville... still no response. Then 2 weeks before Christmas last year, my cousins Greg and Robbie decided to do a video to see what we could accomplish on YouTube. The first day we had 3000 hits and it soared from there. We received e-mails, phone calls, Facebook messages from people all over asking for the music, CD's, iTunes, anything... we had nothin'. After a couple of meetings with Chris following the amazing response, we got serious. We headed back into the studio this past spring... this time with guitars, drums, bass, pianos, choirs... the real deal.... and here we are today. Getting iTunes set up, a website put together, and loving that thousands upon thousands of Christians have come together... remembering the true meaning of Christmas. Out of the mouths of babes come profound truths that many adults can not understand. Hopefully Spencer's observation will cause people all over to reflect on the love of Jesus, and that one day we will all stand in line to see Him. We are most thankful to our Heavenly Father to have this chance to share our music with you. Merry Christmas everyone."