Wait, what? December 25th already?

KABLAMMY WHAMMY WOAH. It’s here. Can you believe it? ‘Cause I can’t.

some of these photos were actually taken last Christmas, and I was dreaming of a personal blog to put them on, so now I’m fulfilling that aww sniff sniff

If you’re anything like me, you put an importance on making God #1 in your life.

I’ve been so focused this year on funding money for our missionaries in Iraq, Pakistan, and Peru through blog ads (on my doll collecting site and doll YouTube) that I didn’t even give a first thought to what I wanted for Christmas. No list or anything.

Like, dude. On Black Friday, my parents had to FORCE me to sit down at the computer and pick some Etsy doll clothes out for Christmas. XD

I still couldn’t find much I wanted, so I gave half the money budgeted for my presents to feed and provide for three families of the last surviving Christians in Iraq.

And I’m not saying that to go “oh look at me look at what I’m doing I’m so awesome”—I’m saying that to say look what God can do through an ordinary person willing to give Him everything.

WHO ELSE LIVES IN FLORIDA AND CAN APPRECIATE THIS PICTURE LITERALLY SO MUCH. 

So if you’re like me, around Christmastime, there’s nothing you want more than making sure you’ve given God first place amidst the festivities. I mean, you just had to be forced to decide what you wanted for presents!

But what does it even mean to “celebrate the birth of Jesus”, anyway? Listen to your parents read the Christmas story and try to convince yourself you’re more excited about Jesus as a baby in a manger than you are the presents you’re dying to open?

Nope! That’s not what it means. That’s never what it’s meant. And I’ve pondered on this for a long time.

I betcha that has money in it. >:)

This Christmas, I had it in my heart to give Jesus a Christmas present. It is, after all, His birthday!

That’s our sad, cheesy nativity scene in which we lost the baby Jesus figurine, and my family in penguin form I made in 2015, in which I gave myself a really pretty bow with ribbon and a pearl and all the other girls in my family super lame felt bows.

But what is it Jesus wants for His birthday? What could we possibly give Him?

God sent Jesus to earth so He could fulfill God’s will; reconciling us to Him, tearing the veil of sin, and restoring the relationship between God and man.

Yes, Jesus came as a baby, so He could be fully man and fully God and completely be the adequate Sacrifice. But I hate to break it to you… Jesus ain’t a baby anymore!

So what gift could we give Jesus?

Here’s a clue. What did He come to earth and die for?

YOU.

To restore the relationship between you and God.

This Christmas day, I’m going to set the stress and worry about my upcoming novel, blog posts, and terrifying new parent-made 2018 schedules aside and focus on Him. I encourage you to do the same! Spend time with God.

One of my favorite songs goes like this:

Lord I give You my heart
I give You my soul
I live for You alone
Every breath that I take
Every moment I’m awake
Lord have Your way in me

Give Jesus your heart and soul in worship today. Carve out time dedicated just for Him!

Jesus gave His life, kicked death’s butt, and rose again so a priest wouldn’t have to do it for you. Read a couple of your favorite Bible chapters, crank up your favorite praise and worship, and thank God for being nothing less than the Almighty, all-powerful, all-knowing, awe-inspiring, incredible, amazing, magnificent, completely mind-blowingly epically *pants and gasps* AWESOME God He is!

MERRY CHRISTMAS, YOU! I LOVE YOU. I’M PRAYING FOR YOU EVERY DAY!