Happy Birthday, Jesus!

This past month/season has brought about so many new and different emotions this year.  This is the first year that I have ever gotten involved in reading/doing the advent calendar/activities, and have read so much of the Bible, and truly appreciate and understand so much more than ever before.

This season also brought about new mixed feelings when it comes to Rochelle.  It’s so crazy to think that just one simple year ago, we were in the hospital waiting, hoping, and praying for good news that we could go home and enjoy the new year at home, as a family of four.  As I am growing in my relationship with the Lord, I am realizing that He gave us everything we had prayed for. He gave us healing, and comfort, and time.  He gave us undying strength, love, and affection.  He truly did give us everything we needed, at the exact time we needed it.

One of my favorite verses from the Advent series, that explains exactly how I feel, is when Elizabeth was speaking to Mary in Luke 1:39-45 and said

You are blessed because you believed that the Lord would do what He said.

Over this past year, our daily nighttime family prayers have become more deeper, and more meaningful than they ever were.  We are reminded daily from Luke 1:12 that

God has heard your prayers.

We are forever thankful for the birth of Jesus, and of the angel that spoke to Mary, the virgin, and told her in Luke 1:35 that

the baby will be born Holy, and he will be called the Son of God.

I truly think that Brielle and I both benefited from exploring more into the birth of Jesus, and doing the daily coloring activities, which allowed us to explore deeper into an understanding of what I was reading.  I loved the fun baking activities, and I think our most favorite one, was when we got to donate to Ronald McDonald, Toys for Tots, and the Salvation Army.

We must never forget that time spent with our loved ones making memories, praying, and serving others is what will last forever, and truly that is what this entire season/holiday is all about.

**To learn more about Advent, and which journey I decided to embark on this year, click here.  I was so amazed by how  much time/effort Kara-Kae put into making a printable, that us moms(families) could use with our kids and teach them every day more about Jesus.

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays from the Johnsons