true story.

When my husband and I first had children, we talked in depth about what traditions we would celebrate at Christmas time. We knew that we wanted to focus more on Jesus coming to earth than a fictitious character giving gifts out, but I held tight to my Christmas traditions.

We loved that my older sister and her family made birthday cake for Jesus, and thought that was a great way to focus on the real meaning of the day. We started the Jesse Tree, and welcomed advent. When we knew that we would have to take a stance of whether or not to "do Santa", I was saddened at the thought of not having the mystery and magic of Old St. Nick coming on Christmas Eve. Though my husband was great with hanging stockings and surprising with little gifts, there was something he couldn't get past. I remember listening, and it hitting me hard.

He said, "But the story of Christ is true. It's not made up or just a myth...He really came, God made flesh...born of a virgin...and the mystery of that is so much greater than any man giving gifts. I want them to marvel at what is true."

In the hustle and bustle of the season, it's so easy to miss that He really came. He really showed up for us, and gave us the greatest gift imaginable.

This past weekend I went to see my favorite Christmas concert. The first time I went to this concert, I thought I was going to see Christmas carols sung by Andrew Peterson. I had no idea what I was about to encounter, and why some of my friends would travel hours every year to attend. Last year, I took my stepmom to the show for her Christmas present, so this year, she treated my little sister and I to see it at the Cove this year, which was amazing.

The talent of this concert is incredible. It's become one of my very favorite holiday traditions, because it's a night devoted to focusing on the true story of Christmas. As Andrew teared up talking about this at the beginning of the show, he reminded me of my husband's words so many years ago...

"You see, the best thing about this Story is - it's true."

~ The Jesus Storybook Bible

Linking up with Tuesdays Unwrapped over at Chatting at the Sky...join us for the last one!