Happy Birthday, Jesus!

Our church is going through a study about Christmas written by Rick Warren called, "The Purpose of Christmas". In the book, he talks about that Christmas is a time for Celebration, Salvation, and Reconciliation. He says that as a three-year-old child, he asked his mom, "Why do we have Christmas?" His mother explained that Christmas is the celebration of Jesus' birthday. He said, "Well, then, we should have a birthday party for Jesus! We can have cake and Kool-Aid and sing happy birthday Jesus!" His mother said, "Okay, we will!" He says that started a five-decade family tradition of having a birthday party for Jesus. John and I really liked this idea, so we began this tradition this year with our little one. I am not sure he totally got it, but it was just another way that we could emphasize the fact that yes, gifts are nice, but the greatest gift we have been given is the birth of our Savior, Jesus.

Dalton and dad blowing out the candles for Jesus.

"....Happy birthday dear Jesus, Happy birthday to You!"

Our birthday cake for Jesus.

This party sparked a lot of theological discussion afterwards like "Where is Jesus?" and "Why isn't He here at His party?" I know he doesn't "get"it all now (I don't think I really "get" it all, either!), but my prayer is that we are just slowly planting little seeds in his heart and that one day those seeds will take root and he will come to know Jesus as his own personal Savior. What a joy, privilege, and awesome responsibility we have as his parents to share the Good News of Christ with him.

Ms. Becky and Mr. John came over after our birthday party and brought Dalton a Christmas present. Ms. Becky made this scarf and hat for him. Is it not the cutest? Love it!


I use this blog as a way to share with others what's going on in our lives, but also a way to journal about the funny and memorable things that happen. We started another tradition this year of reading "What does God want for Christmas?" This book tell the story of Christ's birth while putting the nativity scene together, piece by piece. Every night you open a different box and it has a person to add to the nativity. I have always heard about this and thought it sounded so neat and spiritual. I wonder sometimes if the authors intended for it to be as funny as it was at our house! On the night that we opened baby Jesus, who, granted, was laying on some funny looking hay, Dalton says, "Is he laying on macaroni and cheese?" I could not help but laugh! The night we opened Mary, one of the questions in the book was "Are you ready now to give your life to service for God?" John read the question and when he was finished we both looked at Dalton, expecting him to not really even understand the question. But as soon as we looked at him, those eyes widened and he emphatically shook his head "no"! John said, "Okay, let's pray." Too funny!
When we opened the last box which tells what God wants for Christmas by putting a mirror in the box. The answer is "You!" God wants "You" for Christmas! We gave Dalton the box and really built the anticipation of "What does God want for Christmas?". He opened the box and said, "He wants a mirror!" I think God knew we would go crazy as parents if He did not add some kind of humor to the mix!