merry CHRISTmas.

{card by mel,
pic by drew,
story by jason a.k.a my husband}

CHRISTmas 2009

“Baby Jesus was stolen.” That’s what my brand new neighbor told me the other night. Every year, she puts up a city award-winning nativity display. A few years ago, someone actually came onto her lawn in the middle of the night and stole baby Jesus. The whole neighborhood couldn’t believe it. It became the hottest topic of conversation in the community. Two newspapers found out and wrote five separate articles about it. A sign was made to place on the lawn that said “Jesus was stolen.” Everyone knew about it. Everyone was talking about it. Through this incident, people were drawn to the real reason of CHRISTmas: … Jesus. What man intended for bad, God used for good.

How about you? Has anything bad happened to you this past year that you wish could be different? CHRISTmas is a season of hope. Humanity was waiting for well over 700 years for the long awaited Messiah to come to earth. A lot of pain, hurt, and frustration happened in that time. I’m sure people were wondering, “When are things going to get better?!” And then it happened. “Today, in the city of David, a Savior has been born unto you. He is Christ the LORD.” In one instance, on that holy night, Jesus came and changed everything. He brings rest to the restless, hope to the hopeless, and peace to the chaos. He is the light of the world, He is in control (of everything!), and He will never leave you or forsake you. What people intend for you to be bad, God uses for good. He loves you and is always with you!

And oh yeah, a real estate agent who saw the stolen Jesus sign, read the article in the paper, and heard about the story from a friend, actually found baby Jesus stashed up on a hill when she was driving one of her routes. Baby Jesus was returned, more talk and newspaper articles continued to flow, and all was made right. What originally sounded like such a terrible thing, became one of the biggest focuses on the real reason of CHRISTmas. And more importantly than getting Jesus back in the manger, let’s all make this CHRISTmas about letting Him live and reign in our hearts!


Merry CHRISTmas! The Carson’s


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16 Comments

  1. Kelly O.December 25, 2009 at 5:00 PM

    Merry CHRISTmas Julie!

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  2. AnnieDecember 25, 2009 at 6:25 PM

    Julie, I just found your blog (via a link from a friend's blog to another friend's blog) and have been blessed by your transparency and sweet heart. You keep it real. I love that you call your youngest "your assistant"-so cute! Merry Christmas to you and your precious family.

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  3. DinaDecember 25, 2009 at 7:14 PM

    Thank You, Julie.
    God Bless You and Merry Christmas ...

    your biggest Wichita, KS fan:-)

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  4. mel @ the larson lingoDecember 25, 2009 at 9:01 PM

    Merry CHRISTmas to you also! Thank you for being such a blessing in my life! I am thankful to know you & call you a friend!

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  5. Carol BDecember 25, 2009 at 9:01 PM

    lovely story :-)

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  6. meg duerksenDecember 25, 2009 at 9:03 PM

    it was me...i stole the baby jesus.

    ha.
    j/k...that is awesome. God is so awesome to use even that to bring about His good.
    LOVE it.

    merry christmas dear friend.
    love ya julie!

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  7. SarahDecember 25, 2009 at 10:56 PM

    Hope you and your whole family had a very Merry Christmas!

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  8. Gloria P.December 26, 2009 at 3:47 AM

    Great pic. Merry xmas 2 u and urs!

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  9. TonyaDecember 26, 2009 at 7:30 AM

    hope you had a beautiful Christmas! God Bless you and your beautiful little family...

    play date in 2010 is a must...promise???

    xoxo

    Tonya

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  10. Tegan | Celebrate Twelve13December 26, 2009 at 9:46 AM

    Isn't it incredible to see the ways God uses intended evil for His glory? Thanks for sharing that story Jason.

    Hope you all had wonderful Christmas!

    TT&M

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  11. CelesteDecember 26, 2009 at 9:59 AM

    I hope you had a wonderful CHRISTmas Carson fam! :)

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  12. mysteryhistorymomDecember 26, 2009 at 10:31 AM

    Merry CHRISTmas, Julie! Thank you so much for sharing! You are SUCH a blessing to me! Ever since we met during my "Desert Island" Swap I have adored you, your family and your blog.:) I was thrilled to get your Christmas card last year, too! Because of you, I am no longer afraid of my sewing machine (I made a ton of scarves, Sweetie!), have attempted straightening my hair (I need more practice, but how fun to have a change!), am stronger in my faith and am able to speak what I truly believe- that God is Lord and have learned to "rock" a *pretty, messy* flower in my hair- love them! You are precious and fabulous, dear friend! Love to you and your family! Lori

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  13. jonahbonahDecember 26, 2009 at 12:26 PM

    Amen!

    Merry Christmas!!!
    Melissa

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  14. LauraDecember 28, 2009 at 10:06 AM

    LOVE IT.
    I am a FIRM believer that in all suffering GREATNESS and GOODNESS is the result.

    Always.

    Merry Christmas!

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  15. BrookeDecember 30, 2009 at 8:03 PM

    I love this story. Really. Sometimes I find myself getting frustrated at Christmas. With myself for loving to buy gifts. For others not realizing what the holiday is about. But really, if I alone will fix my eyes on my creator, he will align my heart to his. I love that Jesus was stolen. Because honestly, in some people's lives...he is stolen..he is not present.
    Oops..I find myself on a minor soap box. I just LOVE when people celebrate Jesus' birthday...with presents and fun...but with a FOCUS!
    Thanks for that!!

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  16. I Love Pretty Little ThingsJanuary 8, 2010 at 5:50 PM

    I just found your blog and I love it! This story about the stolen Baby Jesus is really, so sweet. Thanks for sharing!

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