As you gather together with your families this holiday season or even if you are all alone, I would like to share with you some of my thoughts. I wanted to send you a special hello today and in between baking cookies with my daughter Kimberly and preparing the house for next Christmas day, I began to think about what Christmas means to me.

Christmas is a time for families. It all began with a tiny family long ago in the little village of Bethlehem. Kim was born around this time of year . Fourteen years ago I, too, awaited the birth of my first born child. I can just imagine how Mary felt. How tired she must have been having to travel so far, and then when they finally arrived there was no place to stay but a barn. I imagine she was a bit frightened giving birth in such a place with no one to help her but her husband. I missed my mother so much when I had Kim, you see I was in Portugal when my daughter was born, far away from my family. But at least I had a good doctor and a warm dry hospital bed. Mary had a cold drafty stable and only her husband to help bring God's son into the world.

I'm afraid in the hustle and bustle of today's world we tend to forget that tiny baby but really that is what Christmas is all about. It is the celebration of Jesus’ birth. The celebration of the fulfillment of a promise God made to Adam in the garden of Eden. Christmas is all about love. The love that God had for us, born into a tiny child who is the savior of the world. A very wise man once said to me " God loves you just the way you are, and too much to leave you that way." What a happy thought that is. I don't have to do anything to make God love me and nothing I do will ever make Him stop loving me either. And He loves me so much He was willing to come to this earth, be born in a barn and then die on a cross to save me. WOW!! I can't even imagine a love that big. It is amazing isn't it? That God could love us that much. So as your celebrating Christmas Day, take a moment and remember Jesus and tell him Happy Birthday.

It is so much fun sneaking around the house late Christmas night, bursting with secrets. :-) Isn't Christmas fun?!!!? All the houses are lit up and everything is all sparkley and pretty. What a beautiful night. It may be a green Christmas for me but with all the blessings I have, I can't complain about no snow. At least I have snow on this page.

One more thought I would like to leave you with tonight. Our loved ones are a blessing beyond measure, so be sure and give them a hug today and tell them how much they mean to you. If you can't be with them, CALL THEM and tell them. Remember, Christmas is for families and friends. God bless you this Christmas Day.

1 In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. 2 (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) 3 And everyone went to his own town to register. 4 So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. 5 He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. 6 While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, 7 and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. 8 And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9 An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified.

10 But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. 12 This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger." 13 Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, 14 "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests."

15 When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let's go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about." 16 So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. 17 When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, 18 and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. 19 But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. 20 The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.