awaiting His arrival

"For to us a child is born,

to us a son is given;

and the government shall be upon his shoulder,

and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace."

Isaiah 9:6

This time of year is, by far, my most favorite.  There is something so special about Christmas!  And I love how it makes you remember Christmas as a child as you reminisce about your family's traditions. This Christmas feels very different, and will be different, as our due date is Christmas Day.  As we try to make plans, we just throw our hands up knowing that anything could happen from here on out.  There might be a bundle of joy celebrating this glorious holiday with us.  As we await the arrival of our dear baby boy, I feel like it has helped me connect just a bit to how it must have been waiting for Jesus' arrival.  Waiting for the King! The perfect gift.    

My family never did advent growing up, and so it is a very new concept to me.  This year I'm in love with the She Reads Truth advent devotion.  It has helped me truly focus on Christ's arrival.  Right now it is so easy to get wrapped up in everything I feel like I need to to do "prepare" for our special gift, and it has been very easy to lose sight of Jesus and his great love.  This devotional has truly helped me see Jesus' hand all over our lives and those around us.  It is a blessing to take a moment, forget about the busyness this time of year brings, and to truly honor and praise God for the greatest gift he ever gave us-His Son.  

Usually this time of year is filled with anxiety and stress for me, and this year is completely different.  The stress was there, but now it's gone.  The anxiety is present but for different reasons.  And I feel as though I can truly breathe in the reason for the season.  

My pastor reminded us of the importance of inviting Jesus into our lives daily through the song, "Joy to the World". 

"Joy to the world, the Lord has come,

Let earth receive her king." 

We need to be preparing our hearts for Jesus, making a space for Him, opening up to Him no matter what season of life we are going through.  Busyness, stress, loneliness, anxiety, joyfulness, sweetness.  No matter what we are going through, Jesus is there to meet us and make His way in our lives.  I pray that you are blessed this season, that you can make a way for Jesus in your heart no matter what season of life you are in, and that you are overjoyed with this beautiful gift we have received! 

Oh, and tell me I'm not the only one who has a Christmas tree in their dining room!!!  We had to get creative on space this year, and I think I enjoy it quite nicely. 

Here's a sneak peek to our maternity photo shoot we had yesterday: 

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