Well, we all survived the presents and the hangover from the eating that goes with the season. Last evening, we watched the four little ones open presents. Bennett and Deacon were the recipients of gifts that were mostly sports related. Three year old Jenson loved her Barbie and Ken with pink car combination. Bo, who will be two in March, was given the most interesting present; a set of Chap Stick tubes. Apparently, he is obsessed with the lip balm. I'd say he'll be easy to buy for as he gets older!
One thing I am grateful for this time of year is that the children in our family are being taught about God. My nephews and their wives are going past just the typical (and necessary) Sunday school lessons to teaching them, as the scriptures command, at home and on every occasion. It's already showing up in the brief life of Jenson, whose name is taken from her mom Courtney's family. Ben and Courtney have been talking to Jenson about the Magi bringing gold/frankincense/myrrh for the King of Israel. When we arrived, Sally told Jenson that she and Dave, who go by Sassy and Chief to their grand-kids, had four gifts for her. Courtney shared that Jenson's initial jubilation turned to near panic when she realized she would surpass the three presents set before Jesus by the Wise Men. Courtney reassured her daughter that it was OK because it was from her grandparents. Jenson's conscience was assuaged and she returned to her world of innocence which is populated by puppets and dolls. But she's thinking on a different level than many children this time of year. I'm convinced that many kids, and their parents, are consumed by the accumulation of toys and games and sparkly stuff; quality is trumped by quantity. But Jenson sets her standards by a very old fashioned example. Some day she'll understand on a deeper level but for now, she gets it. Jesus comes first and second and third in every aspect of life, even if it's only under the Christmas tree.
Applicable quote of the day:
"The conscience of children is formed by the influences that surround them; their notions of good and evil are the result of the moral atmosphere they breathe."
Jean Paul
God bless,
Steve
Luke 18:1
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