Happy Birthday Jesus!

The stockings are stuffed; the gifts are wrapped; the food prepared - all is ready. I've tried to keep my mind on the truth of Christmas this year. I think I've been both successful and unsuccessful. Shopping was finished earlier than last year and I was more economical. What more do we really need? I was able to focus more on the wonder of God sending a baby for all of us. I still let some Christmas stress get the best of me; I was still impatient with my girls; I was still irritated with my husband. Today, however, I got the best gift. See, today Gracie gave her heart to Jesus for his birthday. Here's how the conversation went:

Tuesday (12/23)
While driving in the car:

Mom: Girls, I'd like you to think of something you can give to Jesus for his birthday on Christmas.

Gracie: What kind of gifts would He like?

Hope: I dive him a birtday card.

Mom: Well, he likes things like good attitudes, helping others, being kind to your sister. Things like that that aren't really wrapped up.

Gracie: I want to give him my heart.

Mom: (YES! - I shouted in my head) Well, that would be his favorite gift. Do you want to pray with me about that?

Gracie: I get nervous and shy when I pray with you. I want to do it by myself.

Mom: Okay, can I give you an idea of what you might say?

Gracie: sure.

At this point I told her about asking for forgiveness and expressing how much she loves Him and asking him to come live in her heart and be her leader forever. She seemed to process this pretty well. The whole time, I'm praying silently for wisdom. I don't want to stuff anything down her throat too early, but I also want to help her do this most important thing, knowing she'll grow in her understanding as she gets older. So, I tried to explain things as best I could so she would understand. She expressed that night that she wanted to pray by herself after I tucked her into bed. I assured her that was fine and told her how wonderful I thought this choice was. The next morning I asked her about it and she said, "Oh, I forgot." This made me laugh and I thought, "well, she'll do it when she's ready."

This evening (Christmas Eve) I read them the Christmas story and they each got to open one gift. After that, I asked them if they wanted to give their gifts to Jesus, and Gracie asked if we would help her ask Jesus into her heart. So, Brent prayed a simple prayer and Gracie prayed with him. How special that we were all there as a family. I hugged her and told her I thought this was the best Christmas gift ever, and that this was the best choice she'd ever make.

I had to write it all down before I forgot the sequence of events. How gracious our God is that He is available in relationship to all of us, no matter how young.



Have a very Merry Christmas!