'Tis the Season

We wen to go get our Christmas tree yesterday. It wasn't a U-cut, and we let mom do most of the hunting herself, but John, James, and me helped with the final decision of the right tree. The Hoffman Farms store lot didn't lack any atmosphere. The ground was muddy, the air was fresh with the scent of pine needles, and the sky was perfectly blue. I tried my hand at taking some pictures. I didn't get very far since I have such an old camera. Maybe someone will get me an SLR for Christmas... With the Christmas tree in the house, and the lights carefully placed, the ornaments will accompany the tree; and the presents are soon to follow. Can you believe that there are only 16 days (respectively) until Christmas? I didn't think lights were going to go up on the house this year, but John decided that he was going to put them up! The house seemed so dark and uninviting without them. It's like when someone doesn't say Merry Christmas! I love seeing the little twinkle, wink, and warmness of the lights on any house! The seniors are having a bake sale after our Christmas program tomorrow night. I can't wait to make cookies and listen to the Josh Groban Christmas CD. The last few times, someone else made the cookies, so I just had to eat them. ;) Phil. 4:13 has been coming to mind a lot lately. I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. Why? Probably because I have a part in the youth Reader's Theatre, I have a recital today, I joined the volleyball team and I have my first game on Monday, and my cello recital is coming up in a few weeks. When so many things come up that we can't seem to handle on our own, we need to look to Christ for strength!! And not just when things get tough, but all the time. We're sinners, and we can only become perfect through the blood of the Lamb. Praise the Lord for sending His Perfect Son to cleanse us from all our sins!