"O little town of Bethlehem"

I just watched the Christmas Devotional and was reminded of how much I love Christmas and Christmas time.  I particularly love Christmas music.  I've been listening to it as much as possible since Thanksgiving.  (Yes, my family is one of those families that does not allow you to listen to Christmas music til after Thanksgiving.  Since living on my own I'm a little more flexible with that rule, but I still do not go into complete Christmas mode until after that holiday has passed.)  I think one of the things I love about the Christmas hymns and church songs is their focus on Christ and centering on what Christmas is really about.  I feel like I am always in a more joyful, holiday spirit after listening to some good Sunday Christmas music.

"charge it, point it, zoom it, press it, snap it, work it, quick - erase it..."

This week a miraculous event occurred.  My younger brother had a little boy on Tuesday, Rickey Lynn Krusell.  He was born 7 weeks early and came out weighing 4 lbs 10 oz.  He has been in the NICU since then, but the media's abilities at sharing information and the blessings it can bring into our lives really stood out to me.  Rickey has been in an incubator ever since he was born, as such he only allowed limited visitors.  My dad is still out in PA for work so he obviously has not been able to see his newest grandson in person yet.  He has, however, been able to Skype with him.  My brother placed his phone on top of the incubator and was able to Skype with my dad so that my dad could see Rickey.  It is also great that we can be updated about Rickey's condition and be sent pictures of him easily from my brother.