Isaiah 9:6 "For to US a child is born, to US a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

As a young girl, I was always enraptured with the "real reason for the season" at Christmas. My mom would put out a Nativity set and I would look at it, play with it and ponder the role of the Baby Jesus. Growing up Catholic, Midnight Mass, before Christmas morning, would be when little children could stay up - to worship a newborn King! The stillness of the cold night would conjure up visions of the night that special baby - God's own Son - would be brought into this world - for us - I knew that much - it was for US! And, how could a newborn baby bear all those glorious titles?!!

As an adult, what does it mean to me now - the beginning, the celebration of the first coming of Christ? Still a sense of awe in something more special than any other event on earth! But, what does it inspire in me? I want to be NEW too! I want to rededicate my heart to the things that God has been showing and teaching me to become more like that beautiful Son, that Baby, My Savior! I want to remember that forgiveness is God's way to allow my heart to be pure toward others. To be more gracious, more caring, more serving...to be aware of hurting people all around me. To always show love, even in the midst of tribulations. The list goes on...in that moment of birth, in a dirty stable, the King of Kings came as a wee baby and fulfilled all that we can be as well - in Him alone! Truly, we can sing with the angels..."Glory to God in the Highest!!"