Christmas comes but once a year

Christmas is, by far, my favorite time of year. I love getting together with family and eating lots of good food while celebrating the birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. With all the Holiday sales, present buying and wrapping, stocking stuffing, baking, decorating, and Christmas card writing, it's easy to get caught up in all the Holiday hype. I wonder what it would be like without all the extra stuff that comes along with Christmas. Would it still seem like Christmas? Would Christmas still be my favorite time of year without ornaments on a tree in the middle of my living room, stuffed stockings over the fireplace, or a house glowing with lights? I mean, it's still Jesus' birthday, and all that other stuff shouldn't matter. Jesus was born in a plain old manger. I don't think Mary and Joseph bothered with hanging mistletoe or putting lights on the stable.

The messages of most church services I have attended on (or around) Christmas have emphasized the importance of focusing on the real reason for the season. That being said, the sanctuaries of these churches have also been beautifully decorated with poinsettias and trees covered in lights, garland and tinsel. Don't get me wrong, I love decorating and partaking in all things Holiday-related, but I want to make sure I'm celebrating Christmas the way it is meant to be celebrated.

I find myself wondering how Jesus would like for us as Christians to celebrate His birthday. On my birthday, Jesus gave me the gift of life. How can I compete with that!? While I could never match the countless gifts God has given to me, I do hope to give all I can:

First, I believe without doubt that Jesus Christ is my Lord and Savior.

For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son, that whosoever believes in Him wouldn’t perish, but would have eternal life. John 3:16

I will praise and worship the Lord with all my heart.

Shout for joy to the LORD, all the earth. Worship the LORD with gladness; come before Him with joyful songs. Know that the LORD is God. It is He who made us, and we are His; we are His people, the sheep of His pasture. Enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise; give thanks to Him and praise His name. For the LORD is good and His love endures forever; His faithfulness continues through all generations. Psalm 100

Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. John 4:23

Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise—the fruit of lips that openly profess his name. And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased. Hebrews 13:15-16

I will try my hardest to give more than I recieve, and to give to those in need.

In everything I showed you that by working hard in this manner you must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He Himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.' Acts 20:35

I give up all of myself to the Lord.

Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—His good, pleasing and perfect will. Romans 12:1-2

While we are in the midst of cookie baking and icing, traveling many miles to see relatives we haven't seen in ages, picking out the perfect Christmas outfits, standing in long lines at the store, addressing seemingly endless envelopes, and making sure things are just right for Christmas, may we never forget the true reason for the season.

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon His shoulder, and His name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of His government and of peace there will be no end, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and forevermore. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will do this. Isaiah 9:6-7

A few of my favorite things!

(in no particular order)

Family: I have the best family ever!

North Shore on the island of Oahu, HI: Adam lived and worked here for a summer, and we've visited a couple of times. It's a beautifully laid-back and very local part of Oahu. Amazing. It's a favorite surf spot for many professional surfers. Adam bumped in to Jack Johnson here.

Cheesecake Factory: Adam and I make sure to hit it up whenever one is close! Favorite one in particular: Honolulu, HI's new Cheesecake factory on Kalakaua Avenue right next to the ocean.

Christina Aguilera's music: I think she has an amazing voice! I've always wanted to be able to sing like her.

Marco Negri and Stella Rosa wine: These are a couple of my favorite white wines, delicious!

Keys Cafe and Bakery: If you are in the Twin Cities area, stopping by one of their 9 locations is a MUST. They have the best food, and thier desserts are literally to die for. I suggest the Chocolate Keys Cake, yumm!

I love movies. I reall enjoy historical/period dramas like The Duchess, The Other Boleyn Girl, Vanity Fair, and the Young Victoria. More of my favorites include Snowy River, G.I. Joe, Star Trek, She's All That, as well as some other, more popular, movies such as Hangover, Wedding Crashers, and James Bond.

Toby Kieth Bar and Grill in Las Vegas: Good food and drinks, great entertainment.

These are just some of my favorite things, things I am thankful for, and things I enjoy. Other than my family, these are just that. Things. Although I am thankful for all this stuff, it is stuff I can do without, stuff that doesn't matter in the end. So, while I may enjoy some Keys Cake and a glass of wine while listening to the music of a favorite artist every now and then, I will not forget what is really important, and I will share and praise and thank God for His many blessings.

"Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." Matthew 6:19-21

Looking back over the past 2 years...

2009 was a year full of firsts for me. I graduated from Augustana college, passed the nursing boards, married my wonderful husband, went on a honeymoon, started my job as an RN at Sanford's Birthplace, went on a crazy awesome snowboard trip, welcomed a new niece into the family, spent much of the summer camping and out on the lake, bought and moved into a house, and celebrated our first Christmas as a married couple. Wow. What a fun and memorable year!!

Although 2010 wasn't quite so busy, it was also a year of firsts. My husband and I celebrated our 1 year anniversary- I didn't know it was possible to love my husband more than I did when I said "I do," but I proved myself wrong. I love Adam more and more everyday, and that's a lot!

Adam and I spent a few weeks tackling some home projects. We took out a gigantic sandbox and playset and put in a patio with the help of some very hard-working parents. We also did some sodding, landscaping, and planting- an area in which I hope to improve upon.

Adam and I stayed busy in the summer playing in a couple softball and volleyball leagues. Our co-ed slowpitch softball team even went to state! Our team did very well, and we all had a little too much fun! :)

One thing Adam and I enjoy doing is traveling. Our favorite place to visit is North Shore, Hawaii, where Adam lived and worked the summer of 2007. We have been back twice since and have fallen even more in love with the beautiful islands. Adam says the next time we go we won't be coming back- I suppose that's ok with me :) We took the trip of our lives when we went on a delayed honeymoon to Jamaica in January- we will be going back ASAP! We also took a snowboarding trip with some friends to Lutsen, MN, in March, and we ventured west to Las Vegas for the second time in October to celebrate our birthdays, and boy did we celebrate!

Looking back on the past two years, I wouldn't change a thing. Ok, maybe there are a couple of things I would change, like watching as my husband set the grill (and almost the garage) on fire or getting bit by that ornery dolphin in Jamaica. All-in-all, it's been a great couple of years spent with my best friend. Adam and I are forming our own traditions, traditions we hope to someday pass on to our children.