Hope

Wanna know something that brings a huge smile to my face?

This stocking.

I purchased new stockings five years ago for our family. One for Mike, one for me, a train one Jackson ... and I debated for about 1 hour in the store about whether or not to buy a fourth. Of course I would want the stockings to coordinate if we were to have more children.

If.

We knew we wanted to grow our family. Having babies does not come easily for us. We lost our first child when I was 12 weeks pregnant. It took years to get pregnant with Jackson. There was a real chance that this little stocking would never be hung. But, in my heart I felt that our family was not complete. We trusted the Lord and knew His timing and His plans are perfect.

I took the chance and bought the fourth stocking. (We already had the small one in the middle for our beloved Daisy, the cat.

Too many Christmas seasons passed where I pulled the stockings out of storage, held back the tears, and placed this one back in the box. Maybe next year.

Last Christmas we were filled with hope as we entered the 2nd trimester. I ached to hold my baby girl in my arms.

This year I could not wait to hang the stocking. I broke my own rule and started decorating the week before Thanksgiving. While I know she is too young to remember this Christmas, I will remember it forever.

I can't help but be reminded of the centuries that God's people yearned and prayed for the promised Messiah. And in His perfect timetable and perfect plan, God sent Immanuel, 'God With Us'. A blessed baby that was and is the hope of the world.