a new tradition - and my FAVORITE one so far!!!

i read this post over a month ago. it hit something deep inside. my soul whispered, "yes. there's something there for us." but i knew it wouldn't look exactly like that. we're not them. but i loved the heart and spirit behind it.

so, i pondered and prayed and waited {i'm getting better at that last one! :-)}

and, slowly, a new tradition took shape.

two weeks ago, i ordered 3 identical gift catalogs from World Vision (if you've never seen it - it's so great - you can buy all kinds of things for people all over the world that are in need).

for the candle the next night, pat read and talked about Matthew 25:31-46 - "...whatever you did for the least of these, you did for me..."

we explained to them that we can't give REAL gifts to Jesus to open. but a way that we CAN do that is by giving to OTHERS. we gave them each a catalog and told them they could take their time looking through it and deciding what they'd like to give to Jesus for Christmas.

we gave them a week.
it was sweet to see them looking through them throughout the week.
and talking about it.
but...we told them NOT to tell what they ultimately chose to give!

a week later, for the candle, they each came and told me what they chose.
pat and i also chose gifts to give.

i ordered the gifts, and world vision sends you a card describing what you've given.
tonight, for our candle, we wrapped our gifts to Jesus.

i brought out LOTS of fancy ribbons! (only the best for Him!)

(the black and white is supposed to hide the tired eyes :-))

we put them all under our little tree in our dining room.
they will be the FIRST presents we open Christmas morning!
and no one knows what anyone else got (except me!)
the kids are excited to share what they chose and i can't wait to witness it.

this will be a tradition we continue for sure!

(let me know if anything was confusing...it happened over so many days that i could have left something out. i'd be glad to answer any questions!)