christmas eve 2012

 

Christmas Eve always starts out at the donut shop, for free donuts and Santa.

 

 It was a little chaotic this year dealing with a little one year old who wants to walk all around all by himself, in a super crowded place.

 

Santa didn't get the warmest greetings from our kids.  Taylor tried to coax her brother up there, but there was no luck until AGAIN this year he was told that the only way to get the treat bag was to at least stand by Santa for a picture.  And Gavin wasn't a big fan either, but the treat-bag bribe didn't really work for him.

 



 

 

The rest of the day we always spend at Dave's parents house with all his family.

Christmas brunch. Chili for dinner.  Christmas Eve service. And then presents, and back home to our beds to wake up at home Christmas morning.

 Cousins - ages 11, 9, 8, 7, 6, 6, 4, 1.

Best bunch of kiddos ever.

 

 

Taylor and Mason got a joint gift.  When they opened it together and Mason caught a glimpse of the dolls, he quickly checked the tag to make sure his name was on it.

But once he realize there was a boy doll for him, he was pretty excited.  And quickly named it Collin.

 

Someone was up pretty late and got pretty tired.  He roamed the room and randomly just laid down several times.

 

 

Christmas Day pictures up next.

merry christmas.

 

I pray this Christmas that each and every one of you feel the true peace and joy of knowing the One who left his holy and perfect place to come down and walk the same earth that we walk today.

He was born among animals, and lay in dirty hay. He walked among sinners, and then shed his blood for every single one of them.

All of this...so that we may know him.

 

(photo by Elephant Juice Photography)

 

This world is a weary place.  But let the weary world rejoice.

He came once in a lowly, humble way.  He will come again and take reign.

Forever.

I hope you will stand among Him that day in complete excitement and not in complete regret.

Jesus really is greatest gift ever.

 

Merry Christmas.

Love, the Balzers

 

 

hallelujah tribute

If you're on Facebook, I'm sure you've seen this being shared like crazy.

I've always loved this song.

It is such a beautiful tribute to the ones whose lives were taken at Sandy Hook.

.

(it won't let me embed it, so you'll have the option to watch it in YouTube)

 



"Twas' 11 days before Christmas, around 9:38
when 20 beautiful children stormed through heaven's gate.
their smiles were contagious, their laughter filled the air.
they could hardly believe all the beauty they saw there.
they were filled with such joy, they didn't know what to say.
they remembered nothing of what had happened earlier that day.
"where a...re we?" asked a little girl, as quiet as a mouse.
"this is heaven." declared a small boy. "we're spending Christmas at God's house."
when what to their wondering eyes did appear,
but Jesus, their savior, the children gathered near.
He looked at them and smiled, and they smiled just the same.
then He opened His arms and He called them by name.
and in that moment was joy, that only heaven can bring those children all flew into the arms of their King
and as they lingered in the warmth of His embrace,
one small girl turned and looked at Jesus' face.
and as if He could read all the questions she had
He gently whispered to her, "I'll take care of mom and dad."
then He looked down on earth, the world far below
He saw all of the hurt, the sorrow, and woe
then He closed His eyes and He outstretched His hand,
"Let My power and presence re-enter this land!"
"may this country be delivered from the hands of fools"
"I'm taking back my nation. I'm taking back my schools!"
then He and the children stood up without a sound.
"come now my children, let me show you around." excitement filled the space, some skipped and some ran.
all displaying enthusiasm that only a small child can.
and i heard Him proclaim as He walked out of sight,
"in the midst of this darkness, I AM STILL THE LIGHT."
Written by Cameo Smith, Mt. Wolf, PA

 

 

Have you heard that you can help show your support by making snowflakes for Sandy Hook?

The Con­necti­cut PTSA is spear­head­ing this won­der­ful way to craft for a cause on behalf of the Sandy Hook PTA: Snowflakes for Sandy Hook!!

 

You can read an article about it here, and it tells you where to mail them. 



My kids don't know about the events of last Friday (other than the little that had to be explained during prayer time when another student brought it up to the class).  So I'll just tell them that we are making them for some kids who are really sad and need to be cheered up when they go back to school in January.  I think we'll try to make 27.

 

Here are some tutorials to help you with your snowflake creations...

Martha Stewart snowflakes

Snowflake curtain

Cupcake Liner Snowflakes

Coffee Filter Snowflakes

 

 

 

a heavy heart this Monday morning

Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.
Romans 12:12

I didn't plan on writing anything about the events from Friday.  There really aren't words.  But in one way, it doesn't feel right to just go on with our normal Monday while so many are hurting in another part of the country.

Parents all over the country dropped a piece of their heart off at school this morning. And I was one of them.  Mine are completely shielded from the events of Friday. But I'm sure some day they will know about it. It will be forever etched in my mind...the year I sent my first to Kindergarten, other children her same age left for school one day and never came home.

I know that there are so many in our world who question God in these times. It's so hard to understand, and I think God knows it's hard for us to understand and doesn't expect us to. But He promises us many things...like his unmeasureable love, his goodness beyond our understanding, and he promises us that we will be rescued. And events like Friday make believers everywhere long even more to be rescued from the evil and pain in this world.
 

I read Luke 2 (from the Jesus Storybook Bible) to my Sunday School class yesterday and one line hit me hard..
"And the darker the night got, the brighter the star would shine"
That bright start above the stable means the same now as it did over 2000 years ago. Jesus is the Light of the World
 

I read this article from Ann Voskamp...she does a good job of helping to explain the sin in this world and where God is when things like the tragedy in Newtown, CT. happen. The comparison of sin and Satan, to a serpent with his head smashed but still lashing and destroying much in it's path...is the perfect comparison.  You know God's already won, right?   Satan's head has already been smashed.  It was smashed that first Christmas, when God's own son was born in a stable.
 And then smashed again when He hung on that tree and then arose 3 days later.  And Satan and all evil that he causes will realize full well that his head is gone when the Lord comes again.  He will lash around angrily until then.  Trying to destroy all in his path. But the victory has already been won.  Have you read the back of the book?  We WIN! (do you know that song?  I know it may be waaaay too southern gospel for some of you, and it's pretty old school, but it's one of my favorites) 

 

I found great comfort in this song this morning, and had to replay it several times.

 

 

 

"You alone can rescue,

You alone can save

You alone can lift us from the grave.

You came down to find us,

led us out of death.

To you alone belongs the highest praise."

 



Without the Christ Child, and that first Christmas, and the story that follows...there is no hope after tragedies like Friday.

 

So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.

2 Corinthians 4:16-18

The news is not encouraging in anyway...but these articles definitely are...
David Platt...The Gospel and Newtown
Max Lucado...A Christmas Prayer

 

 



a gift for my readers {free printable wrap around address label}

I can get super stubborn when I'm determined to figure something out.  I was set on designing my own Christmas card this year, and then I decided I wanted to create some wrap-around return address labels as well.  If you figure in my time vs. the amount of money it would cost just to order something already designed, I'm sure it's not worth it.  But I get my mind stuck on the challenge.  I want to be able to create things on my own, even if it takes me a long time.

My Christmas card took F.O.R.E.V.E.R long.  Thank goodness for the hours during craft weekend that I had to devote to it and not feel bad about not getting something else done.

 

I have been super super nervous to get them in the mail.  Hoping so much they would print out all right.  I did a test print at Walmart just to check the sizing and resolution and everything and I felt like if there was anything else wrong with it, I wouldn't know how to fix it anyway. So I called it good.

 

Thankfully the wrap-around labels went much quicker.  But to get even more value from them, and in the spirit of giving, I want to share with you. I know it may be too late for this year if you've already sent your cards.

But they'd even make a great gift for someone.

Or save them for next year.

 

 

 I created the labels in Photoshop Elements.  All you need are the full sheet labels and a printer. I got mine at Walmart.  Then you can download either the Word document or the PSE document and edit them with your address. You should be able to edit the fonts too. 

Then just slice them apart with a paper cutter and stick them on your envelopes.

 

Please forgive me for any glitches.  This is the first printable I've ever done.  Hopefully the downloads all go okay.  If not, I can always just email them to you if you leave a comment with your email or just email me.

 

 

Merry Christmas!

Christmas Program Night

These two have been so excited for their Christmas program together.  Even though Mason's preschool doesn't meet at the actual school (they meet at our church), the preschool class still joined the Kindergartners (and the entire elementary) for the program. 

Mason's first program.

 

 

Mason told me the few days before he was a little nervous but still excited.

Taylor was all excitment.  I think she likes to perform.  And she had her Luke 2 scriptures memorized perfectly. So she was ready.

 

 It's a toss up on whether it's more fun to dress up girls or boys.  Maybe it was because it was a first, but it was so much fun helping Mason get dressed up and tuck his shirt in to look just like "the big boys". 

Hope you are enjoying all of your Christmas festivities!



slow down and be part of the love story {advent ideas}

I love getting ideas from others.  I love hearing traditions and ways that other families are keeping their hearts and minds focused on Christ during this season and not all the other stuff.  And I mostly love that God has ways of speaking to me, and chooses to speak to me, to teach me during this season about how he desires our house and our hearts to be.  It's definitely hard in the culture we live in. I'm learning a little more and more each year about the balance and focus of this season.  And I've definitely learned some through mistakes. There are some things we did with our first child that we want to/or have changed now, and there are things that we didn't do, that we want to do now.  But I think that's okay.  We don't have to have it perfect from the start, nor will we ever have it perfect.  But it's a work in progress.  A work of focusing our hearts and minds on the birthday of the King, and giving to Him.  And creating a legacy in our children's hearts that will point them to Jesus.

 

 

My original post idea was just to share our Advent Calendar with you.  But not because it's some crazy cute idea.  It's not in the least.  I'm sure you've seen many many like it.  But as I started getting this post ready, the Lord started to change my focus. They are things I have been learning and implementing as the Lord works in my heart this season, and I want to share them in case it can be encouraging to you.

 

 

This is our first year to do any type of Advent calendar. The other years we did small things at home, but didn't keep up anything consistent as we counted down the days till Christmas.  This year during my craft weekend, I planned out our advent calendar of activities.  It's helped us all focus on the fun of doing things rather than getting things. It's also helped me pace myself.  My natural tendency is to put things off and keep saying "oh it would be so fun to do that", and then I send myself and my family into overload by going crazy and trying to jam a whole bunch of fun into the last few days or week before Christmas.  But I've learned that Advent isn't about doing.  It's about waiting.  The true Christmas miracle comes when we wait for the baby, we seek the small, and look for every little detail of the presence of God.  If we don't slow down, we miss it completely.  So our Advent calendar this year is about slowing down.

 

See, the way I've done Christmas in the past looks more like a triumphant parade, that comes quick and is over fast.  It's packed full of as much fun, noise, chaos and cheers from the crowds (the kids) as possible, with last minute planning in order to pull off the most spectacular and memorable Christmas ever. They've been full of lofty expectations that only lead to disappointment. And can you believe that all of that great stuff has also been accompanied with yelling and anger, and frustration and tears, bad attitudes, and feelings of inadequacy.

 

But the Lord reminded me this week that Jesus didn't come with a blast of excitement (yet!) in a triumphant-parade-kind-of-way.

 Christmas is profoundly simple.  A baby born amongst the animals, wrapped in cloth, in a cold, dark, barn. But yet I can make it profoundly crazy, stressful and parade into the actual day with as much hype, high expectations, presents and cute gift wrapping as possible (okay, maybe not the gift wrapping, since I could kind of care less how my presents look. Ha! My husband is the one who wraps and then uses a black sharpie marker to write TO: and FROM: and I'm okay with it).  I have to remind myself that Jesus didn't come wrapped in silver lining with a great parade to welcome the King.  He came in the darkest hours of the day.  He came in a mess of blood and pain, and he left the same way.  The Gospel isn't a pretty picture, but it's simple and it's full of love. In fact it's the greatest love story ever told.  But what is beautiful is that the same way he came into the dark of that night, he also comes into our lives.  He meets us in the darkness, right in the middle of the blood, pain and mess. 

 

Advent is waiting and believing in Isaiah 11:1-2

"There shall come forth a shoot from the stump of Jesse, and a branch from his roots shall bear fruit." 

(Do you do the Jesse Tree?  We haven't yet, but I'm thinking maybe in the  next year or so we will! The link will take you to a free family advent devotional with Jesse Tree ornaments.)

 

How can I slow down and be a part of His love story this Christmas? 
Oh, how I have missed this focus so much in the past. I have been too busy, crammed too much of the wrong things in, done things for the wrong reason. This love story began with a Christmas Baby who came silently and privately.  So privately that God made sure to put his parents in a stable with animals instead of an inn crowded with people.  This love story is displayed in marvelous and miraculous ways in my life, but also in very small ways as well.  But it takes me slowing down to notice them.

 

 

1. Our Advent calendar is a way for us to slow down.  It's not a race to fit things into the last week or so before Christmas.  It's not about trying to plan extravagant crafts and activities each day.  It keeps us focused. It's about seeing the small and loving the least.  Because that's how we can give to Him on his birthday.  Our lives can be the gift we give to him.  When we give to others, we give to Him.  When we serve others, we serve Him. When we love others, we love Him. To be a part of the love story, we can't let our minds and conversations focus on the "getting". And to be honest, I fall guilty of this in many ways. I like Christmas presents possibly as much as my kiddos. But it's the birthday of our Savior. Everyone else's birthdays we focus on the gift, why does that seem so hard for Christ's birthday? 

 

 

So our advent activities are a mix of fun things to do as as family, and ways to give to others. Every "fun" activity is simple.  So simple that sometimes it is already part of our day anyway.  This helps to keep expectations low and not to feel the pressure of having to keep up with something.

 

 But the "fun" activities are also a way for us to give our time to our family through Christmas-book-reading-and-marshmallow-snowball-fighting. The Lord brings joy into our home through these fun things, and memories are made at the same time. 

And for our "giving" tasks, we have a bag of candy canes and sweet notes packed and ready take with us anywhere, the kids have even added some of their own money to drop in the Salvation Army buckets.  We can give food and gifts to others.  We can give monetary gifts to those in need.  We can give notes and hand drawn cards.  We can give our appreciation.  We can give our time to the Lord in being in his Word.   By giving, by letting Christ's light shine through us, by loving, is how we can give to Him on his birthday, and be a part of the greatest love story ever told.

 

 

This year we've done, or are planning to do a few more things to help focus our hearts on giving to Christ on his birthday...

 

2. We can give to the Lord by thanking him for all the things he's given us.  This has already been a good reminder of taking our thankful November hearts further than just Thanksgiving.  My sister-in-law gave us a good idea in November to take the kids through each room of the house and have everyone say out loud everything in that room they are thankful for.  I brought this idea into Christmas by simply starting a list of "We've Already Been Given...".  It's posted and ready to begin listing out anything and everything we can think of.  I'm guessing our poster isn't big enough.

 

3. We can give to the Lord by giving him our hearts and time as we read daily scripture together as a family.  We are following this Advent scripture schedule.

 

 

 

4. We can make a "Giving" list, instead of a "Getting" List.  I saw this on Pinterest, it was something I just clicked on and read but didn't pin and now can't find it.  But the idea was quite simple.  And I kept it simple...poster board that's been in my office for years, with some Christmas ribbon stapled to it. Just make a list of all the things and ways you can GIVE this Christmas.  Help the kids think of ways they can use their talents, saved money, crafts, time, and love for others.  And write it down in a list.  Cross them off as you do them.
 

 

5. We can give to Him by giving to the least of them.  Have you ever shopped in the Compassion International, or World Vision Gift Catalog?  I'm embarrassed to say how much time I've spent perusing all the deals online (because that's where I do 99.9% of my shopping), trying to figure out how I can spend our money the most wisely for things we don't even need.  We don't even know what it's like to really and truly need. There are quite a few organizations and ministries who put out catalogs like these, and the ones I've seen have all been free.  Just go to the websites and request a catalog.  Have fun shopping for goats, wells, ducks, chickens and medicine.  And remember that while these gifts are for people you will never meet, they are gifts to our King.  

***This post isn't to show off what we are doing.  Most of this is new to us as well.  It's about the work God is doing in my heart as not only His child, but also the mother to my own children. It's about finding ways (even if we need to be inspired by others) to focus on what's most important at Christmas time.  If this can help bring some focus into anyone else's home like it has ours,  then that is what this post is for.  But there are so many different ways to focus your hearts and minds, and things that need to be age appropriate, these are just a mere few ideas.
My biggest advice from lessons I've learned myself, is to keep things simple and don't go overboard. Remember, we have to slow down.  It's a season of anticipation for what's coming. Not a season of busyness of what we can fit in.  Plan things in a way that when life gives you a screaming baby all day, or sickness, or just bad moods, activities can be adjusted.  When focus is on others, and giving, there is not so much pressure at home to make things so perfect.

My sweet friend Jess wrote a great post about preparing room in your hearts and home for Jesus. You should go read it. It will give you even more ideas.
 

If you haven't accepted the gift that Jesus is to you, I hope you'll receive HIM this Christmas season.  The best gift ever.

And once the gift is yours, slow down and savor this season of celebration, and be a part of God's love story.

Find ways to give to the Birthday Child.