New Christmas Favorite

This year, I found and created my newest Christmas tradition -

buying all matching wrapping paper!!!

 

Last year, I wrapped with a hodgepodge of bags and paper that I had on hand. This year, I saw these shiny patterned paper sets at Walmart - and I loved them! So I bought 2 packs that coordinated and EVERYTHING MATCHES under the tree.

 

Y'all, it makes the little part of my OCD heart so very, very, happy!

 

I also used every bit of the paper since they were shorter rolls, so I can choose a whole new set of wrapping paper for next year! AND don't have to store Christmas paper for a whole year!!

 

It makes the tree extra festive with coordinated presents!!

 

All around goodness.

 

 

10.O Come, O Come, Emmanuel - Casting Crowns

This is an instrumental version of my all-time favorite Christmas Hymn.

The Nativity Story - How Many Kings

This song caught my attention earlier this year with the chorus alone - but then as I listened to the verses, I realized it was ultimately a Christmas song. Again, I looked for the artist's original video but didn't find one. You get a double dose of my favorites since this video also contains nothing but images from The Nativity Story movie.

Joy To The World - Operation Christmas Child Music Video

Shopping and packing our boxes is the HIGHLIGHT of all our shopping and packing at Christmas! Hayley loves them too!

You're Here - Francesca Battistelli

This song I heard performed live about 2 years ago - I had hoped to find an official video from the artist, but I couldn't it.

This song is often referred to as Mary's song.

Advent Reading

(image from Amazon.com)

 

This book made its way into our home last year - and I am re-reading it this year. Its a beautifully depicted telling of the Biblical events and prophecies that point to Jesus. I highly recommend it.

2012 Christmas Favorites

Every year, even when my blogging has been less than faithful - which we all know counts for this year - I try to do something around Christmas for the whole month.

To say that the Christmas season is my favorite season is to understate the obvious in the most extreme way. I love the anticipation of the Advent season, the Christmas lights and decorations, all the musicals and plays and special events.

So this year, I'm going to share some of my favorite aspects of Christmas - and things that have come to hold special meaning for me each Christmas Season.

(photo from Amazon.com)

 

 

This depiction of the Nativity Story - a following of Mary & Jesus in the days before and during their journey to Bethlehem - is a beautiful rendering of the challenging times they faced. It is very realistic (in my opinion) and portrays the historical events made known by the Bible as well as the character development of Mary & Joseph. What they could have experience, felt, said... how the journey would be.

 

Note - I feel like I should include that this movie is not suitable for young children (in my opinion) as there are several quick depictions of violence (none outside of Biblical storytelling, but it is visually impacting).

 

This is our second year watching this, and as I grow more and more into my mother, there was much of the movie that left me in near tears.

 

I hope you enjoy it too!