this christmas...

Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!

2 Corinthians 9:15

This Christmas season has been such a beautiful one! I have made so many special memories that I will always cherish. It started on Christmas Eve... my family gathered at my Grandparents for our Christmas eve dinner; every year we have clam chowder & then we go to my church's candlelight service! That is one of my favorite traditions. We sang beautiful carols about the birth of Jesus & we lit the candles! To see the lights dimmed & the candles glow is magical & a true representation of Jesus, the Light of the world!!!

& On Christmas, my family enjoyed so many wonderful blessings!! 

Giving & receiving special gifts from one another, an amazing Christmas Dinner, making & eating sugar cookies, hosting friends & family, skyping with family that lives far away, playing games & laughing, taking family photos & realizing how truly blessed I am!!! 

Most of all, I am so thankful for the blessing of  JESUS & celebrating His birth! He came into this world to give us life everlasting! That is the greatest gift of all! One I could never deserve, but the one I am most thankful for!! :) All of the other little blessing are so beautiful because I know that they came from Him!

I think of a wonderful gift that my sister gave me for Christmas... a mug with a Jane Austen quote that says, "How shall I bear so much happiness!" (from "Pride & Prejudice") It is so true! :)

{you can buy the mug on etsy}

Also, I got "Emma" from my mom & a pretty Fossil watch from my brother & mom!

My family definitely spoiled me & I am so blessed! :)

So, now that Christmas is over... I will not be sad, because I can reflect on how blessed I am, & it's all because of God's great love & grace!! That is something that will outlast all other Christmas gifts! :)

I love this family picture! My dog is perfectly posed & smiling! So cute!

I hope you all had a blessed Christmas, too!