We’d like to wish you a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
Jenny and I have always been very into the Christmas season. The lights, the food, the movies, the music, the gifts… and, of course, reflecting on the ultimate gift that God gave us by sending Jesus Christ to Earth to save us from our sins. But Christmas has taken on a whole new meaning to us as we begin to celebrate it with our children and see the season through their eyes.
I had a friend ask me at work the other day if I ever got tired of Christmas and doing the same things year after year after year. My answer was a resounding, “No!” Christmas seems to be getting better and better each year as the kids get older. Christopher isn’t quite old enough to know what’s going on yet. But Emma is excited enough for the both of them! She is asking us daily if it’s Christmas yet and how many more days to go. Watching the excitement and anticipation on her face brings a whole new level to the season.
Not that everything is perfect this Christmas. We have seen a tendency in her to feel entitled to lots of presents and not be thankful for what she’s given if it’s not exactly what she wants. So gratefulness is definitely something we need to work on with her over the coming year.
Christmas, to us, is a time to reflect on the previous year. We have much to be thankful for. We have two healthy, beautiful children who are growing and learning more every day, and a third on the way. Christopher just turned 2 last month and Emma is 4 1/2. Jenny has been feeling great this pregnancy; still, for the most part, having the energy to keep up with the kids! I recently changed jobs, moving from one that I liked but had grown to seem less stable into one that should be much more stable over the coming years with lots of growth potential. Emma began school, going to preschool at Legacy Christian School. She loves it and we’ve been amazed at how fast she is learning and maturing. Christopher is in the stage where he is learning more words every day and we’re seeing him make the transition from baby to little boy.
Christmas is also a time of looking forward to what God has in store for us for the coming year. There is, of course, the excitement and anticipation of the birth of our third child. We know that it’s a boy, and he’ll be here towards the end of April (I’m shooting for April 22nd — what a birthday present that’d be!). We are scheduling several trips for the next couple months while we can before the baby gets here. But there’s also some anxiety looking at the next year. I have my first surgery scheduled for January 5th — I’m having my gallbladder removed. But talking with friends and family who have been through this before has reassured me that not only will the surgery go smoothly, but I’ll feel much better once it’s over.
In closing we’d like to wish each of you a very Merry Christmas. As you celebrate the most wonderful time of the year with your friends and family this year, remember the ultimate gift that God has given us — salvation through the birth, death, and resurrection of his only Son Jesus Christ.
Have a Merry Christmas!
From Matt, Jenny, Emma, and Christopher Peters
