Christmas with a Baby

This Christmas season has been very different for me because of X.

Usually I am antsy with anticipation and counting down the days until Christmas. This year I didn't even realize how close we were getting until I saw a story on the news about the busiest shipping day of the year. I would have completely forgotten to ship out the gifts I have for my family (luckily I made them long before X came along, otherwise I probably would have forgotten to even get/make them anything!). I haven't finished my shopping yet - ok, actually I haven't started my shopping yet!

I have always loved Christmas music and have listened to it nonstop from the day after Thanksgiving untill New Year's Eve (my own personal rule for appropriate length). This year as I listen to the songs about the Baby, I can't help but look at my own baby. It is so hard to imagine the King of the Universe so tiny and fragile; so dependent on his mother and father; having a dirty diaper and a fussy time. I am so thankful that Christ willingly gave up Heaven for a period of time to be on Earth and live like us.

Xavier is fascinated by lights. Any lights will do really. He has a toy that lights up that he loves watching, but even just the room lamps are enough for him. One of his favorites, though, is the Christmas tree. I look forward to decorating for Christmas each year. This year, my mom helped me since I was still too sore to do the stairs up and down from the basement to bring all the decorations out of storage. I debated a little about putting up the tree. I love having a Christmas tree and looking through all the ornaments and the memories that go along with them, but wasn't sure if it was worth the hassle this year. I am so glad that I decided to put it up because X stares at the lights and it is so precious.

I know Christmas day will be drastically different with him here too. And this year he doesn't even know what's going on! I can't wait for the coming Christmases where he will wake us up super early (well, he already does this!) and run down stairs to see what Santa put in his stocking.

I have already received the best gift ever this year in my healthy, happy baby boy!