Our family received such a wonderful gift from Nathan’s parents today this first day of Advent.  It is a family devotional by Ann Voskamp called Unwrapping the Greatest Gift.  It is a daily Advent guide telling the greatest story ever told using the Jesse tree and laying out the family tree of Jesus.  Each day we will hang an ornament on our own Jesse tree to represent each story leading up to Jesus birth.

I have to say I wasn’t much in the Christmas spirit.  Not feeling well and having no snow and barely getting any Christmas shopping in yet has made me feel behind and looking at the busy schedule ahead made me feel overwhelmed.  But I was overcome with peace in looking at this book and being reminded at what Christmas is about.  That is the word that the Lord has impressed upon me for this season.  Peace.

Christmas isn’t about me or my schedule, or my to-do’s or trying to make memories for my children or running myself ragged.  Christmas is about Jesus and all of Who He is and why He came.  The most important thing I can do this Christmas season and all the year through is to focus on Him…and everything else will fall into place.

What a wonderful reminder this first day of Advent.  The peace I have in my heart is overwhelming and I am so thankful for the Greatest Gift.

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6