The most beautiful story ...

This is essentially the card I sent out this Christmas. I mounted these pictures on deep grey/blue sparkly card stock. I began memorizing Ephesians during the fall of this year and happened upon this verse in chapter four as I was working through the text in preparation. And I love this quote from my very favorite author. It brings me to tears almost every time I read it. Who could ever make up a story this beautiful? The story of Christmas. Such love. Such mercy. Wonderful hope. God with us!

Every year I receive a Christmas card from the best friend of my childhood. Her name is Laurie and we were close friends from sixth grade right through high school. We do not see each other very often, nor do we communicate on a regular basis. But she closed her Christmas letter this year this way ... and I thought it was so beautifully written.

"My wish for you ~ some time amid the holiday bustle when you can actually hear the quiet of the Season and reflect upon its magnificence ~ to think that God revealed himself to us with such humility ~ as we give our gifts to the ones we love, let us never lose sight of the greatest gift ever given ~ God's perfect love manifested through Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior."

With love, I wish you all MERRY CHRISTMAS.