My CHRISTmas Joy

This Christmas is especially joyful. My youngest son, Sean, loves Christmas. We have a rule in our house that we don’t start getting out the Christmas boxes until the day after Thanksgiving. Well, he couldn’t hold back this year because he was so excited. I was gone for a couple of hours at my daughter Elly’s basketball game and left him home alone. When I got back, I saw that he had his collection of snow globes and nutcrackers displayed. He just couldn’t hold back! Then the next day, the Santa pictures came out! We have a tradition of getting the kids’ picture taken with Santa every year. We have their pictures framed and proudly displayed from the time Brian was 1 year old. I’ve told all of them they’ll still have to come home from college each year to do the traditional picture together! Anyway, by the day after Thanksgiving our entire house was decorated! Sean brought down every box from the attic, decorated, and put all of the boxes away! He even did all of the outdoor decorations! You can’t imagine how much joy this brought my husband. He dreads it every year and wouldn’t bother if it weren’t for me and the kids. Sean has also kept me very busy with making sugar cookies. We carefully rolled, cut-out, baked, and decorated our sugar cookies on Monday. We used the same recipe and cookie cutters that I used as a little girl. It was so much fun that I thought I would share the recipe with all of you to spread the joy.

All of these blessings that Sean is giving me are only a small part of my CHRISTmas joy. You see, Sean shouldn’t even be here with me. He was born with a rare liver disease. Sean had surgery at 6 weeks old. He went into cardiac arrest the next day but God gave him back to us to care for. He’s suffered debilitating seizures, loss of memory, painful tests and hospital stays. He has to accept that he’s not only different from other 12 year old boys because he can’t play sports or go to school but the fact his body will continue to fail him as he grows into his teens. Despite all of this, the joy that shows across his face is contagious. He lives in the moment and enjoys all that God has blessed him with. He doesn’t dwell each day on the things he can’t do but is thankful to God for what he can do. He is my CHRISTmas joy! When I look at his sweet smile and feel his big bear hugs, it’s Jesus that I see and feel.

What or who is your CHRISTmas joy?

Have fun with your kids making these wonderful treats:

SUGAR COOKIE CUT-OUTS

1/2 c. shortening
1/2 c. butter
1 1/4 c. sugar
1 tsp. vanilla
1 egg
1 tsp. milk
3 c. sifted flour
2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp salt

Cream together shortening, butter, sugar, vanilla, egg, & milk. Mix in flour, baking powder, & salt. Chill dough for 1 hour or more. Divide into 4 portions. Roll between wax paper 1/8 in. thick with a little flour. Make any cut-out design. Bake on greased sheet 5 minutes @ 375 degrees. Cool and decorate as you like with frosting & sprinkles.

ENJOY!