We put our Christmas celebration on hold for a swim meet.

Today, Mommy was a busy little elf.  The play-by-play can be found here.

And in Advent banner news:

Day 16 held a gingerbread man cookie cutter.

Day 17 held sprinkles.

Day 18 would be the day for making gingerbread men, but instead we’ll be swimming.

OK.  For starters, I should just clarify that I do know that “The 12 Days of Christmas” actually refers to the 12 days between Christmas and Epiphany.   I also know that 14 and 15 come after 12 and are not part of “The 12 Days”.  However, I chose not to say the ??th day of December, because I’m sharing a little of our family’s Christmas preparation and celebration, which is the whole month long!  And…even though we are counting down, I couldn’t actually say the ??th day of Advent because we started counting on December 1st, which wasn’t actually the first day of Advent this year.  So…if you can get past my erroneous use of “The ?? Day of Christmas”, read on:

Yesterday and today have been jam-packed with school festivities.  Today we had a Kindergarten Christmas party.  I would venture to guess that “Cookie Decorating was a favorite”. 

Today’s Advent banner note asked my Big Girl to read us the Christmas Story from Luke 2.  Have you read it lately?  We’ve tried to take the focus off getting this Christmas and instead put the focus on giving.  People give for a lot of reasons.  Giving is good.  But, why do you really give at Christmas?  Tradition?  Obligation?  Year-end tax deductions?  I choose to give at Christmas to share love, just like my God demonstrated His Love for us by giving us Jesus.  Take a moment and read Luke 2.  Then read John 3:16.  That’s why I give at Christmas.