Merry Christmas!!!!

Friends and family, we want to wish you a very merry Christmas! We are looking forward to Christmas very much and hope you are, too. Such a wonderful time of the year!

This Christmas, I find myself thinking about Mary. I typically think of the baby Jesus this time of year, but with motherhood on the horizon, I have begun thinking more about Mary. What a pregnancy Mary must have had! First, to know that God’s son is growing inside your belly has to be just an amazing feeling. I bet she was filled with excitement for being chosen for such a task, but also so nervous with such a huge responsibility! Second, I can’t imagine what she went through during that time trying to convince people that she was a virgin. It sounds absolutely crazy and I bet most people thought she was. Third, I can’t believe how far she rode on a donkey just days before giving birth! Talk about discomfort!!! I am uncomfortable on long car rides now, so I can’t imagine taking a donkey through the desert! And then, to give birth on the ground and hay…wow. She is truly a remarkable woman!

While I know that I am not carrying God’s son, I do know that our child is a child of God. That, much like Mary faced, is a huge responsibility. Aaron and I are so eager to raise our child to know the Lord and have a meaningful relationship with Him. God has really blessed us with this pregnancy and we feel just as blessed to be chosen as this baby’s parents.

Much like I think of Mary right now, I also think of all other mothers. Moms are truly amazing at Christmastime! Moms are usually the ones that buy all the gifts for the kids and family, bake all the yummy treats, wrap all the gifts, prepare the elegant meals, mail out the cards, get the house decorated and cleaned, etc. If you are a Mom reading this, please pat yourself on the back! Santa has nothing on you!!!

I also think of all of those spending Christmas without their mothers here on Earth anymore. My mom, my dad, Aaron’s dad, for example, all have their mothers in heaven celebrating Jesus’ birthday with Jesus Himself! I be that is some party! It still makes it hard for them here, though since we would love to still celebrate Christmas with them here. For all of you not with your mothers this Christmas, you are in our thoughts, hearts, and prayers.

For us, this Christmas, our most wonderful gift cannot be found under our Christmas tree. Instead, it is found right under my heart. The gift of this pregnancy and this baby is making this Christmas the best one for us yet. Please continue to lift up Baby Curtis in prayer as we approach this final stretch. We love and appreciate all the prayers and support. I pray that I can be as strong of a mother as Mary was to Jesus. Happy Birthday, Baby Jesus! Merry Christmas to you all!