Starting Christmas

^This is the only picture we have of Noah with evidence of Christmas in China.  I think he is approximately 14 months old and had just started to attend the preschool run by Bethel inside the orphanage during the day.  We know he had at least one caregiver that was a believer and prayed over him (probably in secrecy).  It's hard to comprehend that this year will be his first real Christmas and hopefully one in which he understands why we celebrate-the birth of Jesus.

We bought our tree yesterday after church and Noah was excited by every step of the process especially decorating it.  He loved the white lights and hanging ornaments all by himself.  And this year it was his turn (by default) to put the gold star on top.  Luke splurged and bought an electric train to go around the base.  It was $30 well-spent as Noah and Beckett both watched it for over an hour.  :)

We hung the stockings, put out many manger scenes and talked about the real reason for the season.  Noah can tell you all about Santa too, he's a sponge soaking in everything around us.  It felt surreal to decorate for Christmas with our son who wasn't apart of our last one-not because he wasn't born yet-but because he was an orphan without a home or a family to celebrate with.  

I know Noah will continue to enjoy all the magic of the holiday season and perhaps help to remind us all how special Christmas is.  Thank you God for sending your Son to save us all!