Where are You Christmas?

I'm ashamed to say that I've had a hard time getting into the spirit of things this year. Normally my house is decorated with all that we love to have out this time of year. Every room typically has something that says it's Christmas. This year I managed to get up the tree and our stockings. My heart has been a little saddened by this. Afterall, it's my son's first Christmas and my toddler loves to look at all of the festive décor. #momfail

I've been reflecting a lot on this as of late.

I've been running around like crazy, frustrated with work and peronal matters, and I've lost sight of the very thing I want my children to know and believe in their hearts. I want them to know the love and sacrifice of Jesus. I've lost sight of so much and I have not appreciated His love for me.

The Lord has placed a lot of things on my heart and has helped me to refocus. He has reminded me just how blessed I am. My children are healthy, my home is warm, and God is still good. My joy has been rekindled and my desire to reconnect with the Lord has been refueled.

He even reminded me of just how real He is by a beautiful gift my friend sent. She recently went on a trip to the Holy Land and brought back several items that I'll treasure always. My favorite however is that of three small stones. These stones were brought back from the places that were once traveled by my Savior, Jesus. He did live on this earth. He did minister to the hearts of others and He did give His life to spare mine. These 3 small stones came from the very places His feet walked upon. These were the places He lived and ministered. My Savior was real. He is real.

And...He loves me.

So, as Christmas Day came to a close I realized that it's not a matter of having the "Christmas spirit". The truth is that the Spirit of Christ lives in me and that basically makes Christmas an all day every day thing. It's a way of living, not a season. So, even after my minimal decorations have been taken down and the New Year commences, I will still have the joy that only God can give and that joy is something that can be felt and lived no matter the season.