Fall on your Knees

Thanks for sharing this picture I blogstole, Carly, it is beautiful.

If there's one thing I've learned about being a mom (which by the way, I'm getting dumber, not smarter) it's that you can't force your children to listen.

That's why I'm so thankful for an early Christmas present tonight:

Ben called to say he was going to be home late so we went ahead and started dinner. Macey began with a sweet little prayer. "Heavenly Father: Thank you that we can be nice to each other and have fun. Welcome to dinner. In the name of Jesus Christ, amen." I remember it because she repeated it word for word right after she said it, so proud of herself.

That sweet little prayer was definitely welcoming. The spirit filled our home when after a few moments of eating I asked them why we celebrated Christmas.

Cody said it was for Jesus because he was born. Then I asked them to tell me what they knew about Jesus. They thought for a minute with no answers. Then I asked where he was born. "Judea!" Cody answered. He's getting so smart. Then they kept asking me to tell them more, until we had talked about Jesus for close to a half hour. I told them tons of stories - healing the 10 lepers, healing a blind man, raising from the dead, calming the storm, walking on water, the sacrament, his crucifixion and resurrection. They were listening so intently. Then Macey earnestly asked, "Why did Jesus die for us?" I couldn't have scripted it better. I got to explain to them that because He died for us we get to live in heaven with Him, with our whole family, even our grandmas and grandpas (and Jessi! Macey added). They were so happy. Cody added, "Heaven will be so fun! We will play all the time!" :)

I am truly grateful for this Christmas season, for Christ's birth, life, and death and this special opportunity we have once a year to really celebrate Him and the greatest gift we have ever been given.

"The MAGIC of Christmas is not in the presents, but in His presence."