Through A Child's Eyes

I am so excited, because I am experiencing Christmas through a child's eyes this year. While this is Hannah's third Christmas, she has been too young to show much interest in the past. This year, however, she is in awe of the sights, sounds, and smells she has already experienced in one week. She is like the Christmas decor detective. Whether we are waiting in line at the McDonald's drive through, strolling through Wal-mart, driving to church, or about our business in the home--if their is a Christmas decoration to be found, rest assured . . . Hannah will find it!!! When Hannah does spy Christmas lights, trees, etc., she will gleefully scream, "Wook mommy, Chwimas!" or "Mommy, I see a snowman! See him? See him?" or "Wook Mommy baby Jesus, I hold him." Between the enthusiasm in her voice and the sparkle in her eyes, I find myself as excited as she is.

Because Hannah is so excited about all things Christmas this year, we let her decorate her very own little tree. Hannah's tree is in her room, and it is decorated with things she picked out from the store and handmade snowflake ornaments from her Great-grandma Brooks. This tree has been up for a week now, and she still seems surprised every time she runs in her room and sees it. I will hear her scream down the hall, "Mommy Chwimas tree, wow! It's beautiful!"

As I watch expressions of awe and wonder cross Hannah's face over simple Christmas decorations, I find myself anxious to watch her as she begins to make connections and understand who Jesus is and the love God has shown by "sending His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him" (1 John 4:9). At the age of two, Hannah simply knows that Jesus is God's son, that He is the baby in all manger scenes, that Christmas is a celebration of His birth . . . but Jonathan and I pray and long for the day, when Hannah will know and believe that the baby born in the city of David is our "Savior, who is Christ the Lord"(Luke 2:11). I can't wait to experience the greatness of God through a child's eyes. I pray that as Hannah gets bigger, God will become bigger to her. One of my favorite quotes from "The Chronicles of Narnia" deals with this very thing. In Prince Caspian (the 4th book in the series), Lucy encounters Aslan after some time away from Narnia. Here is the interchange:

"Aslan," said Lucy, "you’re bigger."
"That is because you are older, little one," answered he.
"Not because you are?"
"I am not. But every year you grow, you will find me bigger."

As I watch Hannah enjoy the seeming enormity of Christmas this year, it will be my prayer that I may be witness to the same reaction over Christ--that she will stand in awe of the fact that He is the way, the truth, and the life, and that no one comes to the Father except through Him (John 14:6).

Hannah and Mommy put the tree together.


Hannah adds the finishing touches.


Tada!!!