A Babe Wrapped in Swaddling Clothes

Fa la la la la and deck the halls.

Christmas trees adorned with lights and memories in the form of ornaments.

Presents followed by a mess of bows and wrapping paper.

Santa Clause, Rudolph, and Frosty the Snowman.

Happy Holidays.

Seasons Greetings.

A babe wrapped in swaddling clothes.

Merry CHRISTmas.

Man it is way too easy to make Christmas about commercialism.

About us.

“Me,” “My,” and “I” are the vocabulary of the season.

There is way more emphasis placed on receiving than giving, when isn’t giving where the real joy comes from?

I’m not saying it’s wrong or painful to receive gifts.

Quite the opposite really.

I love opening presents and getting new things.

The key here is just to remember that everything we open or get pales in comparison to the ultimate gift that we have been given.

A babe wrapped in swaddling clothes.

My prayer for myself and for you is that we would be humbled and filled with joy this Christmas by one of the most humbling things anyone has ever done.

The King of kings and the Lord of lords, the Creator and Sustainer of the entire UNIVERSE left the throne and the glories of Heaven, where He ruled and reigned, to come to this sin filled, disgusting earth.

This alone is astounding. This would be amazing even if He had come in the form of a king, in majesty and honor, in all that He is and is deserving of, to save this world.

But no. That’s not what happened and that’s why it is amazing all the more.

How did He come instead?

A babe wrapped in swaddling clothes.

A baby. Considerably one of the most feeble and helpless states a human could ever exist in.

The King of kings, helpless.

And then He had to grow up and endure the trials of this life.

All the drama and hardships and failure of bodies and immune systems we have to deal with: He suffered them too. Willingly. Without complaint or anger in His heart.

And then, as my home pastor has been wonderfully stating, the babe of Bethlehem became the Christ of Calvary.

And this Christ, Jesus, fulfilled every prophesy ever foretold, and by shedding His blood, His perfect, flawless blood, is able to present a filthy, wretched sinner like me as righteous before a just and holy God.

A babe wrapped in swaddling clothes.

Salvation from sin.

Oh praise Him!

Dance and sing and be filled with JOY about this fantastic gift that will never fail, break, or disappoint.

And so, this Christmas, amongst many other things, I am most thankful that, by His grace, the Lord has chosen me and that every day He helps me to lay down my life and will in surrender to His. I am thankful that He loves me unconditionally. I am thankful that because of the humility of Jesus Christ, displayed in His birth, life, and death, I have the ultimate privilege of walking through life on this sin filled, disgusting earth with a perfect, loving God. I rejoice even more that when I leave this earth I will be in the presence of my Almighty God and will get to praise Him forever and ever in all of His glory.

“'Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; He is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.’ Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, ‘Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom His favor rests.’”  

Luke 2:10-14

First Semester of College: Check

Wow am I slacking on the posting. My Thanksgiving post took the place of an "update" post, and life after Thanksgiving break was a whirlwind with finals right around the corner. Which, praise the Lord, are over. I don't think my schedule or biological systems have ever been so wacky.

 Much to my dismay, I got a B in Chemistry, which simply increased and justified my hatred for the subject. I am thankful, however, that the Lord tested my heart practically on the things which He recently taught me. It's easy to say, "there are more important things than making all A's" when that's what you're doing. Making a B, (my first since 6th grade mind you) was definitely humbling, and because of that I'm thankful. I'm thankful that the Lord has taken my highest priority and self-worth away from letters and on to Him.

Disclaimer: I still know grades are important ;)

I'm also thankful that I finished my first semester of college. At the same time I'm also incredibly sad because it flew by. I've already made so many fantastic memories and friends and hope that the rest of my time in Clemson, SC holds more of the same. 

So, with that being said, here's how my first semester wrapped up:

Thursday night Georgia Tech game, which was awesome. We froze, were at the top of Death Valley, and won. A successful night I'd say.

I did a lot with Clemson LIFE that weekend. Kate and I threw our social event for the rest of the students, which included dancing and eating pizza. 

The next day all of the students participated in a talent show and rocked it!

I then went over to a friend's to have play a quality game of settlers.

 The next week I participated in my first Clemson vs. USC Blood Bowl and got a free orange long sleeve t-shirt! Leanne and I also went to the Catching Fire premiere. The movie was great and I was thankful for quality time with her.

That weekend Crosspoint had a bonfire and shag, and even though it rained it was still a blast. I got my roommate to come to the shag AND the Citadel game the next day, which was quite a big deal. I was so happy to spend time with her. There was another shag after the Citadel game which I, of course, attended. I'll take a weekend filled with football and dancing any time!

Right before heading home for Thanksgiving break, I helped decorate Crosspoint for Christmas.

 

Thanksgiving break was wonderful. I snuggled in with my mom and grandmother to watch Christmas movies AND cooked (almost) everything for Thanksgiving lunch. My mother is helping me to become domesticated and able to one day feed my husband (hopefully). Family photos for Christmas cards and Black Friday shopping were also fulfilled traditions.

The week before and of finals was crazy. Before finals week hit, we threw a surprise going away party for a girl in my CP group who is going back to Brazil, where she's from. I have been so blessed by her and I'm sad to see her go, but I know that the Lord has great plans for her life. 

The next night FCA held a tacky Christmas sweater shag. Tis the season!

And finally finals week was here. I basically spent every waking moment in the library. Except at 11:00 pm, when the dining halls held Moonlight Breakfast. One night that I went there was dancing in the dining hall and 'club schillet' literally turned into Club Schilletter. 

I finished my exams on Wednesday, but didn't leave Clemson until Friday afternoon, which gave me almost 48 hours of freedom in Clemson to do as I pleased. 

So I read, watched some movies, and hung out with friends. Some of my CP group girls and I went to the Sailing Club and got to see these glorious sights. It was fantastic, and so was my very first semester of college!