The First and Last of Christmas

This Christmas was full- the new and the old, traditions and memories. 

Brad and I celebrated out first married Christmas this year, and all of the season culminated today in our first real holiday. 

We have not had a chance to slow, breathe in the crisp winter air, and enjoy God's goodness since the break began, but today was our set aside day to do so. The timing was perfect; Brad preached the three services at our home church yesterday for the first time.

The day was full of joy, but the weeks of preparation were both humbling and challenging as we felt God's call on our lives. Today became our Sabbath, a day of rest and remembrance of Christ. 

The tree twinkling, skirt sewn (finally!), and home decorated all a couple weeks before, our sweet little day actually began the night before with a trip to HEB resulting in a frozen pizza for Brad and red roses for me.

We tried a "healthy" cola soda, made in Austin, that turned out to be horrid, ate way more than we should have, and played dice and card games till our bellies hurt from laughing.

Friendship in marriage is precious.

This morning, sleeping in, Brad's yummy breakfast, and a clean home made for a lovely start before we made it to the celebration: Immanuel, God With Us. 

This name for The Lord is my favorite, and I have loved the gentle reminder this season of Christ's nearness to us. We began what will hopefully become a tradition: remembering the promises of Christ's coming.

Genesis 1-3. Genesis 15-17. Ezekiel 36. Zechariah 2-3. Matthew 1. Luke 1. 

How good is our God to give us His Word! After celebrating the Presence, we opened our presents and spent the rest of the afternoon enjoying the peace and rest of being home together. Brad surprised me most of the day, and the evening was no different, as I was warned to "dress warmly" and promptly found myself at the Trail of Lights, an old family tradition I am excited to begin anew.

Home again then homemade bacon mac and cheese before settling in to watch football and Wreck-It Ralph. Thankful for a husband who loves cartoons with me.

I know that today was just one day. Tomorrow we'll put away the ornaments, put the tree outside, take the movie back, and most likely eat leftovers. I know today is only a day. Tomorrow Christ's coming will be just as real, I will have the opportunity to give gifts to others, and the earth will continue to orbit. Yet this 24-hour, normal day will remain precious to me for a very long time. 

This day was Christmas.