Festival of the Nativity

So indeed, we did have a visit last night.  Inside Madison's right boot was a gift and some delicious candy.  In her left boot... was Jingle Bell!  Take a look at the chocolate St. Nicholas in the middle, complete with a shepherd's crook and a mitre on his head.  We didn't have the fire on for too long with this photo, just in case St. Nicholas melted!

And no, we didn't see any evidence of a visit from Krampus.  So we're safe for the next year at least.  Each morning, Madison wakes up in December and it is simply magic in this house.  There's a tiny gift, and a mischievous elf, and you never know where to look.  It's a really fun month!

Tonight, we're supposed to see a dramatic temperature change - and more rain.  That didn't stop us from having a trip to a church here in Gainesville to see something different:

Look where we went tonight!  Mommy spotted this upcoming event a few weeks ago:  it's the Festival of the Nativity.  It was at a local church, a display of over 800 Nativity sets.  You read that right:  over 800 Nativity sets!  It took a while to look through them all - they had Nativity sets from countries all over the world, from Indians to Mexicans to Russians to Kenyans to Alaskans to Hawaiians to... well, you get the drift.  There were some of crystal, lots of wood, some huge and some tiny.  There were tree skirts with Nativity sets on them, paintings, tree ornaments, and toys.  There was pretty much every type of Nativity set imaginable, and the folks there at the church were really kind.  It was certainly worth a trip there to see all the different sets on display.  And yes, we got home and pulled one out immediately - one we didn't spot there tonight - it was our Veggie Tales Nativity set!

The room you see above was reasonably large - tables were just lined with all sorts of Nativity sets.  Madison even got a souvenir of the evening, a Nativity ornament of her own to put on her tree.  This was a simple idea ornament, but very thoughtful and creative too.  It'll go on her tree very nicely!

Today was another work day for Daddy, and a school one for Madison.  A work day for Mommy too - who put up the Christmas wreaths on the front of the house.  The house is looking nice and Christmassy.  We just have to get that temperature feeling that way:  today was so hot that many were turning on the air conditioning.  It was in the seventies.  Meanwhile, tomorrow the temperature is supposed to "plummet" again, getting back to below normal temperatures.  It's a roller coaster ride on the thermometer, that's for sure!

AND speaking of roller coasters, here's our latest Christmas movie devotional entry!

In the movie, “The Polar Express,” the Conductor appears, giving a boy an invitation to hop on board a wonderful train that has pulled right up to his house. Imagine being in such an incredible situation!

“Well, you coming?” the Conductor asked.

The boy was hesitant, and then stepped back away.

“Suit yourself,” the Conductor told him, starting to board the train.

Fortunately, the boy changed his mind and hopped aboard the Polar Express for the ride of a lifetime.

Now imagine what would have happened if the boy had refused. You see, he was given a choice: The Conductor wasn’t forcing him on this journey of faith. The boy wanted only to believe, and the Conductor was offering him an unbelievable opportunity.

A choice stands before you this very day and the Holy Spirit, much like that Conductor, wants to see us aboard for an incredible journey. It’s a lifetime of faith with Jesus, a thrilling ride like no other.

Do you want to climb on board for the adventure of a lifetime? Ride for free, and join the fun, if you just say yes!

The thing about this train is it doesn't matter where it’s going. What matters is deciding to get on.