GCR Women

Our dear little Vivienne is 11-1/2 months old.  This will be her first Christmas.  At our house, Christmas is big celebration with lots of excitement and commotion.  We look forward to being with her on her first Christmas next week - watching her open her gifts, seeing her take it all in. She's just the sweetest baby - wide eyes, big smile.  As much as she reminds us of her big sister, she's her own little person.  Her looks and personality are definitely her own.  And as she grows, who will she be?  What will she become? The year Jesus was born, the first Christmas, it was another little baby's first Christmas.  Cousin John was only about 3 months old.  Since his daddy was a priest, I don't know where he and his family went for the great census but not likely Bethlehem.  So, he wasn't there to hear the angels or see the shepherds.  In those days, it wasn't a time of gift giving and family gatherings, feasting and song.  So the day went pretty much unnotice

We put up one of our Christmas trees last night.  It's not decorated yet and yes, I said one of our trees.  We have three.  The one in the living room is our traditional tree. It's the one with our family's ornaments.  As we decorate it, we'll relive the years we've shared together and remember Christmases past. The other two are newer additions to our Christmas traditions.  One holds our Texas State Capitol ornaments - a collection started by my sister-in-law.  The other one is where we hang the souvenir ornaments that John and I have collected on our travels together - each ornament a reminder of the special places we've been together, what we did there and the good times we've had together.  I think it's my favorite tree. What am I looking for during this time of year?  Gathering with friends and family?  Sharing love and memories? Yes, that but something more.  I want to feel the joy and wonder that the shepherds felt as they watched their flock