Merry Christmas!

 

  As I played with my grandchildren this past week, I was filled with many memorable little moments. Hot chocolate with whipped cream, trees covered in lights, and making Christmas cookies. However, my favorite moment came while we were playing Barbies. My granddaughter handed me a doll and said, "Here you are, Mary's Mom."

 "Oh, I'm St. Anne?"

 "Was that Mary's mom's name?"

 "Yes."

 "I'm going to be Mary. I need to put something under Mary's dress to make her look like she is pregnant with Jesus." Once Mary was ready, she yelled, "Joseph, hurry up, we got to go before it's too late." Joseph, formally known as Malibu Ken, was quickly at Mary's side in his bathing suit. My granddaughter had Mary and Joseph walking until she looked up at me and said, "How do you think Jesus was born?"

 I smiled at my five-year-old granddaughter and said, "I think it was a special miracle."

 She nodded and said, "I think so too."

 I tell this story because I wish you all a Merry Christmas, and I hope you take the time to marvel over the birth of the Christ Child. I spent that same night praying next to my own manger figurines. I imagined what it would have been like for Mary and Joseph to see the face of God for the very first time. It must have been incredible to touch His little fingers and toes and gaze into His eyes. No presents. Just His Presence, which was the fulfillment of every hope and prayer that was ever uttered. Life on earth would never be the same. One little baby, Jesus, would change everything. From this day forward, humanity would not only be touched by God but would be able to touch God. The birth of Jesus was indeed miraculous!

Merry Christmas!

-Susan