Snow and a Story

Outside snow is falling and I just found out that I don't have to work tomorrow. There is already about 2 inches on the ground and it's still coming down. I'm very excited about a day off with my boys tomorrow.

This weekend I've started some Christmas baking and loving it! I have not done anything significant in the last couple years, but this weekend I've already made Death by Caramel Brownies, White Chocolate Pretzels, and Sugar and Spice Pecans. Still on the list are Macaroons, Monster Cookies, and a few other items. In the middle of the baking fun we've been listening to Christmas music and dancing around the kitchen floor. Fun times! Oliver's been quite helpful!


Oliver holds the spoon and contemplates which recipe we should make next...

This leads me to sharing something that gave me new perspective at church this morning. The scripture studied was Matthew 2:1-23. The story is about the Wise Men coming to see Jesus when he was a toddler in Bethlehem. This morning Pastor Bob talked about how the manger scene was not a place of beauty and serenity as it is usually portrayed in our day. Instead it was a place of desperation for new parents. They had nothing, were in a new place, and had no clue what to do. They were stuck in a barn for goodness sake!

He continued by explaining how the Wise Men warned Mary and Joseph how they needed to get away because Herod was looking for them... and mostly their son, the new king. So they left for Egypt. The next part of the story (versus 13-18) is what caught my heart. Herod killed babies in his search for Jesus. Little innocent children. Like my Oliver. My eyes welled up with tears thinking about how those families felt. How could someone be so heartless?

However, despite the poverty experienced by Mary and Joseph and the heartache families dealt with, our Savior was born. He overcame these insane situations and saved us! And this is Christmas. Remembering Jesus's story fills my heart with love for my family in new ways. It's crazy how having a little man of my own really makes it mean so much more!