Unto Us.

For unto 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.
Of the increase of his government and peace,
there will be no end.
- Isaiah 9:6-7

I get little chills when I think about her.

Mary, that young girl, barely a woman, swelled with pregnancy and having to explain over and over again to people how she really was a virgin, even though, you know, she was super knocked up. What that must have been like for her. How brave she must have been. So brave and so young, all at once. What kind of maturity this little lady must have had, to endure the public scrutiny and yet to know in her heart, she was part of a new thing that had never happened on Earth. An earth-shaking, culture-changing disruption to the previous way of everything. All the rules changed, all the judgements banished and the quietest, most unexpected element was birthed along with the baby in her belly - grace for all.

Today we would just call her a liar. But when I read about her demeanor in Luke, I am amazed at her strength and faith in this absolutely unprecedented event that she was at the center of. That sweet pregnant girl, with plumped ankles and a tired mind, having to travel back to her home town (Luke 2:1) hand-in-hand with her trusting fiancee to register for the census. And her fiancee - did he really trust her? Did he believe in her innocence? Was he in on the spooky wonderful mystery novel that she was living out, day by day, for nine months straight? There are so many elements to this story that we question, that will go without answer until we are in Heaven. But goodness, what a absolutely hysterical experience to live through - and tell about.

I think about Mary a lot, especially around this time of year. When I see my baby son do something new, or say something hilarious, or discover something that I would deem ordinary. The Christmas tree fascinates him. I should probably be more mesmerized by it. And that's how this story of Mary is - something rather ordinary that most of us have heard before that we don't really take the time to meditate on. After having my own son, and cherishing both the big moments - he said mama! - and the small moments - he laughed at my joke which means he understood me! - I have the tiniest peephole of insight of what that must have been like for Mary and her little boy. Mary, hearing her boy say mama for the first time. Mary, having her baby cradled by the town's renown righteous man, Simeon (Luke 2:25) and hearing him gush the most curious, radical things about the boy's destiny.

Mary, who "treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart" (Luke 2:19) and "marveled about the things said about him" (Luke 2:33). That is how the scriptures describe her over and over again. Cherishing these tender words spoken about her baby boy. Well, I can actually relate to this part of her story - I know what that feels like! I can't imagine living the rest of her story, but cherishing the words spoken about my little creation, well, every mom can attest to that feeling, right? That's what we do; we cherish the moments, the words, the glances of their eyes and the musical tone of their immature speech. And, you know, we try to Instagram it. In the best lighting possible.

In all seriousness though, I'm baffled by this story. And a bit choked up. Sweet Mary, how I wish I could have gathered near to you, made you a batch of cookies and poured you a hot cup of coffee and just processed with you about motherhood. The way all of us moms do about our kids. I wish I could ask, What was it LIKE for you? Tell me your birth story. What was the look on Joseph's face when he first saw Jesus? And also, seriously, were there sheep like 5 feet away from you while you were heaving that baby out? Because, MARY. Girl. I'm undone by your bravery. You some kind of woman.

Today is December 24, Christmas Eve. I am meditating alone on this bit of scripture. I don't mean to make Mary the focus of the story about Jesus Christ, I really don't. But as a mama, I do think she deserves some RESPECT. My perspective has changed so much since becoming a mom myself. I am so grateful that God himself chose little Mary, the highly favored (Luke 1:28) to be the quarterback of his big story. Shows how modern he is, as Bono would say, because "women of the future hold the big revelations."

I'm proud to be in the same camp as Mary, a young mom who cherishes and ponders the things about her son's future. I'm grateful to be living in a time where, yes, the dark may be getting darker, but the light is also getting brighter (Isaiah 60:2). The future is so bright, friends, when we accept the truth of Jesus' gospel and ask him to be the forever companion in our lives (Romans 10:9). I am grateful for this holiday, this celebration of our savior's grace and all the brave ones who surrounded him. Merry Christmas to you. Peace on your household. Grace for all of us.

A Johnnyswim Christmas.

This past weekend was FUN. We stayed in, watched our Christmas lights dance practically off the tree, and enjoyed some indulgent old Christmas movies. We watched Everett haul the wrapped Christmas presents around the room and listened to him say "Ho ho ho." To which we died laughing, every time. He literally says it. I will try to catch it on video. I'll have to show you this picture of him in his little Santa beanie, all the way from the dearest of friends in London. It's so stinkin' CUTE.

Blurry, but whatever. This is real life.

My favorite part about the weekend was going on our annual Christmas date, which is something that I always look forward to and always looks different. One year we went to see the Rockettes. One year we went to the Nutcracker. Last year I don't think we did our fun fancy date, because we had a bitty baby. But this year we joined a ton of friends and went to see Johnnyswim play a Christmas show at the Variety Playhouse. SO RAD. Ever heard of Johnnyswim? You should get their album and keep it on repeat. These two are so talented and cute in "real life" (I say that like I know who they are based on their stage presence - but they really do seem SO REAL). We went back to our friends' house after for toasts and treats and watched more friends GET ENGAGED (woohoo - so excited for you, Jordan & Amanda!!!), so it was pretty much the greatest night that ever could be. So much festivity and love and teasing and joy and coziness. I am really grateful for our community here in this little cove of Atlanta.

What does this holiday week look like for you? We will be baking and cooking some good stuff (though, not too much. This girl is tired), finishing up wrapping and anticipating the fun weekend! Christmas by ourselves, Christmas with my side of the family and Christmas with Stevie's side of the family - and all of them are PRIORITY, so by Sunday we will probably be whipped, just from all the emotion spent :) Happy emotion, though!

What are your Christmas week traditions?! I keep telling Stevie we need to create some new ones, and he says I shouldn't try so hard, just to let things happen. He might be right. But what are some of your favorite things to do this week? So I can steal them :) Ho ho ho! Merry week, friends!

P.S. - My Peppermint Bark recipe will be up tomorrow! I might be hiding it in stashes around my house so it doesn't get eaten all at once...

Christmas Card Photos.

Oh, Christmas card photos. An event that is equally fun and painful. Babies can be unpredictable, and mine seems to have a short fuse when it comes to me coaxing him (pageant mom-style), "Smile, baby! Smile! Can you smile for mama? SMILE HONEY. DO IT."

But I love the idea of getting some really great family shots of us once a year, so its something I am going to try to continue. I take a zillion photos all the time, but it was so much more relaxing to work with a professional (ha, duh) and get to just *be* with my family while Leidy Beltran did her thing. I did my best this year to make it a fun experience for Everett, by packing an arsenal of snacks and toys, but we lucked out so big because my bro-in-law Joshua showed up at his parents house unexpectedly (where we took our photos) and entertained Everett from afar. Made faces, jumped around, sang goofy songs, threw a tennis ball around. He pulled out all the stops. Joshua is officially a magical baby wrangler and Everett adores him to pieces. The talented Leidy snapped away and we got some sweet family photos of the three of us, just being ourselves, which is the part I loved about it most. We had the setting sun working against us, but she managed to get some shots that I absolutely love. In fact, you will probably get sick of seeing some of these before long, because I will definitely be updating my site in the new year with some of these shots.

Thank you, Leidy Beltran! And Joshua! Now I'm off to finish stamping these Christmas cards :) Merry, merry, friends!

Wishing You a Happy, Healthy (& hopefully humorous!) Thanksgiving.

Happy Thanksgiving! The day has come! I suppose that a lot of you are scurrying around the kitchen on this fine day, apron donned and wooden spoon in hand. Something dripping. Something spilling. But hopefully - nothing burning! I can just see you there, stirring and whipping and basting and brining. Roasting and toasting and testing and trying. Mmm holidays make me rhyme, friends :)

Enjoy the day. This is a holiday. Which means you get a break from stress, anxiety and anything else that is perhaps clouding your thoughts these days. No matter what your Thanksgiving prep and celebration looks like - whether you're in the car, heading to your parents house. Whether you're visiting your in-laws for your first holiday meal as a member of their family. Whether you're bringing a jar of pickles and a loaf of bread. (Actually if you're doing the previous one, maybe throw in a bottle of wine for your hosts, too. Just a tip :) But whatever this day looks like for you, whether it's teeming with familial awkwardness or triumphant with spazzy amounts of love, I would encourage you to enjoy it. Soak it up. People all over our country are huddled in warm homes today, talking football and reminiscing and eating to their heartiest content. From the high rises of New York City to the lofts overlooking the San Francisco Bay to this suburban home of mine, tucked between some trees, we are all alike today. We are all eating. We are all enjoying family, even with all its quirks. Hug those sweet souls as much as you can, because they are yours to hug today. And it is undoubtedly good.

Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours!

Paris.

I can't imagine the sheer horror that the beautiful people of France must be feeling this morning as they wake up. Without their loved ones in bed beside them. Without bumping into those souls on the metro, or while they're waiting in line for coffee, or while they're settling into their desks at work and looking over, realizing that their co-worker is gone.

Gone.

It's hard to find a frame of reference.

As Americans, we have 9/11 to remember.

I was in Boston, living in Cambridge, during the time of the Boston Marathon bombings and the man hunt that occurred in my neighborhood. I remember being afraid that the bomber was going to walk into my apartment building and try to hide out. That was kind of like an out of body experience.

But what what has happened in Paris is unlike other attacks. Simply because, these are other people. And every single man, woman and child who died in the wreckage of this terror matters. They matter.

I feel more than just a pain in my heart for this sweet country, this delicious city of lights that immediately swept me away with its romance, breathless beauty and vibrant history 3 years ago, when I had the privilege of visiting. But just feeling pain seems so inadequate. I am at a loss with just my words, and just the break in my heart, because I want to do something to alleviate the pain of this nation.

What can we do, friends? What can be done?

Peace on Earth seems to be battled for with the blood of our children. What can be done?

I am at a loss today. But as I plan my Thanksgiving meal and look forward to the coming Advent season, I feel a sense of guilt that there are places in the world that don't have the opportunity to feel my same sense of seemingly trivial peace. But it's not trivial at all, is it?

How can I extend my peace?

All I know to do today is to turn my questions, cries and helplessness into a ribbon of prayer. And all I know to offer to you is the encouragement to do the same. Prayers for our countries, prayers for our leaders to make wise decisions, prayers for the misguided hands that committed acts of terror, prayers for the families impacted, prayers for the loss.

Churn your confusion into a prayer of hope today.

Arise, shine;
For your light has come!
And the glory of the Lord is risen upon you.
For behold, the darkness shall cover the earth,
And deep darkness the people;
But the Lord will arise over you,
And His glory will be seen upon you.
The Gentiles shall come to your light,
And kings to the brightness of your rising.
- Isaiah 60:1-3