Every year at Christmastime I look forward to a few things:
1. The Oakridge Boys Christmas CD–my family listens to it every year (and has ever since I can remember) when we put up the tree.
2. The Christmas Eve service at church–I love preparing to welcome the Savior and reminding ourselves as a body of the true reason to celebrate.
3.Cinnamon Rolls–my mom makes them every Christmas morning. However, since Tyler and I won’t be going to my parent’s for Christmas this year, I’m going to have to make them.
4. The red cups at Starbucks–they’re back! You may have been thinking this whole time, Jenny, why the Christmas post so soon? We haven’t even hit Thanksgiving yet? Well, last night Tyler and I stopped by Starbucks for a little treat and I had a gingerbread latte in one of the red holiday cups. I was so excited I didn’t know what to do with myself. Seriously, from the warmth you feel upon crossing the threshold into Starbucks, to the snowflakes hanging and painted on the windows, and the array of holiday lattes offered, Starbucks exudes Christmas (in every secular, non-religious way possible.) Yet as I sat sipping my latte last night I couldn’t help but notice that there is absolutely no reference to Christ in Starbucks. I know that our society has become increasingly PC over the years. Rarely do you see a Christmas ad on television that actually says “Merry Christmas.” Instead “Happy Holidays” is now the all inclusive mantra of the season. The more I sipped my gingerbread latte the more I realized that there is nothing truly “Christmassy” about Starbucks at all. What a disappointment.
I want to appreciate Christmas for what it truly means in my life this year. I am really excited to celebrate my first Christmas with Tyler. I’ve been thinking about where to put our tree (we really live in the tiniest apartment), what traditions to incorporate from my family and his, and what I should give him. But none of that stuff compares to the awesomeness of a Savior coming to the Earth to draw sinful, dirty people to Himself, take on their shame, and save them from everlasting damnation. That is incredible!
Appreciate it everyday. Not just at Christmastime.
-Jenny
Hey guys,
Katie Coleman just told me about you. You sound great. My wife and I will try to make your CD release concert. The childcare is the homerun for us.
I grew up listening to the Oak Ridge Boy’s, even saw them live as a kid. I’ll have to check out their Christmas CD.
We just broke out our Over the Rhine christmas cd, Darkest Night of the Year. It’s amazing.
Agreed on “the awesomeness of a Savior coming to the Earth to draw sinful, dirty people to Himself, take on their shame, and save them from everlasting damnation. That is incredible”
Well said.
Later,
Terry