Round n' Round the Christmas Tree

I love this time of year for how happy people are, how pretty everything looks and how we set aside time to celebrate Christ. 


After two Christmas' being married and this our third, Seth and I have finally figured some things out, but it's been interesting to decide on some traditions. 


We picked our favorite cookies from each of our mom's Christmas baking lists and made them. The first year was a little overwhelming; we had well over 100 cookies for just the two of us. Plus, we were new in town and didn't know who could help us eat them! This year there are still lots to share, but we have some folks to share them with. 


Our first year, we didn't know where to get a Christmas tree, so we went to Home Depot and picked a pre-cut tree. It was cute, but didn't have the fun experience of tromping through the field to find it! The past two Christmas' we've gone to a neat tree farm with my parents and sawed down our pick from the rows and rows of trees. 

Most newlyweds don't have many ornaments - we ended up with too many! I was afraid of not having enough so we bought some. Then our moms passed some down to us and my grandma ended up giving us her entire collection. 

Seth trims and puts the tree in its stand. I put on the lights and beads because I am too particular, but we both jump in on the ornament hanging. I love crowding the tree with ornaments and reminiscing as we take them out of their boxes. My husband graciously allows me to put icicles on the tree, which bother him tremendously. He hates finding them trailed around the house as they stick to everything.


AND


In all of the hustle and bustle of getting this all together, there is a tremendous peace that comes with everything. There is a peace I can't always understand, but am so glad to be a part of. You see, even if we don't have Christmas cookies, a tree from the field or ornaments to hang - My God came to earth to live and die for me. 


Relient K has a good song, "Celebrate the Day" that really captures how great this miracle is. We should stop in the midst of Christmas and think. Think of this:

And with this Christmas wish is missed
The point I could convey
If only I could find the words to say
To let You know how much You've touched my life
Because here is where You're finding me
In the exact same place as New Year's eve
And from a lack of my persistency
We're less than half as close as I want to be

And the first time that You opened Your eyes
Did You realize that You would be my Savior
And the first breath that left Your lips
Did You know that it would change this world forever
And the first time that You opened Your eyes
Did You realize that You would be my Savior
And the first breath that left Your lips
Did You know that it would change this world forever

And so this Christmas I'll compare
The things I felt in prior years
To what this midnight made so clear
That You have come to meet me here

To look back and think that
This baby would one day save me
In the hope that what You did
That you were born so I might live
To look back and think that
This baby would one day save me

And the first time that You opened Your eyes
Did You realize that You would be my Savior
And the first breath that left Your lips
Did You know that it would change this world forever
And the first time that You opened Your eyes
Did You realize that You would be my Savior
And the first breath that left Your lips
Did You know that it would change this world forever

And I, I celebrate the day
That You were born to die
So I could one day pray for You to save my life
Pray for You to save my life
Pray for You to save my life

Renee - H. S. Senior

I met up with Renee for her senior pictures at the PA Grand Canyon in October. She has a really fun personality and made the session even more fun than usual!

I told you she was fun! Have a great senior year Renee - thanks!