Okay, I know what you are thinking. “If she is just now finding Jesus, what has she been writing about in her blog all this time?” Let me explain.

I am not talking about finding and making Jesus my personal Savior. I did that when I was nine years old.  I am talking about finding a nativity scene for my yard to decorate this Christmas with Jesus front and center in the manger.

My mom loved Christmas. She always wanted a nativity scene for her yard to display at Christmas. She talked about it often. Sadly, she passed away ten years ago without ever having realized that dream. We had looked for one for her years ago, but it never worked out. If I had a do over, she would have had that nativity scene one way or another, even if we had to make her one. (Okay, I am getting not such a pretty visual on that, but you know what I mean.) As I think about it though, she is now with the real Jesus in Heaven, so she has more than realized her dream of having Jesus front and center in her Christmas celebration. She has the real thing. I can only imagine.

For years, I have been on the lookout for a nativity scene of my own, both to honor my Jesus and my mom. It is unfortunate that little can be found in the way of decorations centering around Christ’s birth, while Santa and his reindeer and elves are everywhere. Don’t get me wrong. I love Santa as much as the next guy. But let’s face it. Jesus is the reason for the season. God cared enough to send His very best because of His great love for us. That is what it is all about.

Well this year is the year!

I had a problem with my Quickbooks program on my computer about 2 months ago. My dear friend, Carol Leavitt, Quickbooks Helper, came to my rescue. During her visit, we talked about my new online retail business. She told me she might have some stuff that I could help her sell. She mentioned her light-up nativity scene that frightened her dogs so she was going to have to get rid of it. Well, you can imagine my delight. I couldn’t get the words out fast enough to tell her how I had always wanted one, and that I would buy it from her.

I got it from her awhile back. I cleaned it up and put in new LED bulbs so it would shine as brightly as possible. It is the plastic kind and that is my favorite. It matches my big plastic Santa on my front porch.

I am a total traditionalist when it comes to Christmas. I still have colored lights on my tree and ornaments that were handmade by my sons, ornaments from when I was a kid, and ornaments from my parents and my grandparents, my in-laws, and the many friends I have made along the way. There are ornaments that I have collected through the years on trips we have taken. The jewelry box that held my engagement ring that Scott gave me at Christmas time twenty eight years ago is hanging there too. Near the trunk hangs a spike that no one can see. It represents the spikes that nailed Jesus to the cross as He gave His life for me.

Yes, every year I cry as I decorate my tree. Tears of happiness, sadness and thankfulness all blended together. I know I am so sentimental. I like it that way. It would not be Christmas for me without this ritual.

Now I have added a new ritual, setting up my nativity scene, while I remember that blessed night so long ago that changed my life, that changed the World forever.

Dear Lord: Thank You for sending Your Son Jesus to be born to us in a manger all those years ago. He is the Gift of Love from You. He came to earth to live among us and eventually died for us on the cross. That by His wounds, all those who believe in Him, sins are forgiven, diseases are healed and they are restored. Christ is the Way, the Truth and the Life. All those who believe in His name will have everlasting life.  Thank you for the promises of Your Word and their fulfillment through Jesus. Help us to never lose sight of Your Gift, the greatest gift ever given. Amen

Have you found Jesus this Christmas? If not, I invite you to seek Him and celebrate the real reason for the season this year. “But if from there you seek the Lord your God, you will find Him if you seek Him with all your heart and with all your soul” Deuteronomy 4:29

Jesus is waiting on us to seek Him daily in prayer, Bible reading and in our praise and worship. Through the Holy Spirit, we can be comforted by His presence in our lives. Seeking Jesus leads to a blessed life with peace and joy no matter the situation. He is not just the reason for the season. He is the reason for our every day.

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through Him. John 3:16-17

Thank you for reading and sharing my blogpost today. May the Light of the World light your home and your heart this Christmas season!