~The Magic of Christmas~

I am so glad that you have taken time to stop and read my post this Christmas Eve day.  I've been busy, like the rest of you, but I wanted to share with you some more of the Christmas decorations around the house....

Years ago, my children and I tried our hand at making gingerbread houses; even a log home made out of large pretzel sticks..  But no one, including myself, cared for gingerbread so we stopped making them.  Several years ago, I decided to started collecting gingerbread items.  They are so cute and I use them to decorate my kitchen.

This year, I started a new collection of red, white and silver ornaments.  Here is my beautiful tree in all its glory minus the top section...the lights keep going out and I have to have it replaced.

 Two-year-old Bubba is still learning about the magic of Christmas.  Not really sure if he has met Santa this year.

Three-year-old Tater Tot is all about Santa and she is learning about the birth of Jesus as well.  In fact, she's been singing Happy Birthday to Jesus and wants to know if Santa is going to bring Him presents, too.  The innocence of children and how they believe.  I love it!!

 The elf on the shelf, better known as Senior McGomez (family joke), started showing up at five-year-old Monkey's house last year.  She swears that his eyes move and follow her around the house!  He even followed her to my house this year at Thanksgiving further cementing the belief in Santa.

Eight-year-old Rascal has classmates who don't believe any longer but he's still holding on.  He asks them who eats the cookies on Christmas Eve?  Santa, of course!!  I pray that he believes for a couple of more years.

 Thirteen-year-old J.W. is, of course, very wise and no longer believes.  He has been threatened within an inch of his life if he spills the beans!  So far...so good.  I keep telling him that, at my house, he has to believe in order to receive. ;)

I got my little Christmas trees either at Michael's or Hobby Lobby; I can't remember.  Santa came from a craft mall, probably about 10 years ago, as well as the little pull horse and teddy bear.  I don't remember where I found the little ornaments that are now part of this vignette.

I love this Christmas arrangement with the grapevine star.  It all sits inside a suitcase.  I got it on sale at Michael's a few years ago.

I started collecting a variety of angels to create a vignette on my fireplace mantel.

"And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God..." 

  I loved my angels but it needed something else.  And then I found this....

 All the lights, decorations, collections, vignettes, goodies and gifts are delightful things through the eyes of children and those who are children at heart.  It all makes Christmas magical, doesn't it?

But I pray that we also center our focus on the true meaning of what Christmas is all about.  Like my three-year-old granddaughter who sings Happy Birthday to the baby who becomes our Savior.  My greatest prayer is that you know the Savior like I know the Savior; the One who died for our sins.

From my family to yours, we wish you a very blessed, joyous and 

Merry Christmas

"Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men. ~

 Luke 2:14"