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Merry Christmas 2021: Let’s Go Braeden
Our Christmas this year involved a new family member - again, and with the addition, we experience a "drop the mic" moment.
Last Christmas I wrote about a new addition to our family – Sidney. She and Sam got married in April 2020 during the early days of COVID. This year, our family continues to grow with the addition of Braeden! He and Adelyn were married just days ago. We are deeply grateful as parents for having a “drop the mic” kind of moment this year. Both kids are married to amazing, Christ-loving spouses. I think this makes us officially empty nesters, but we are also “full hearters.”
As is the blog tradition, here is our Christmas card, this year written by Carolyn:
2021 can be described as a year full of added blessings. We are so overwhelmed by God’s goodness and grace. And we are thankful for this time of year when we can stop and consider his goodness, his gifts to us throughout the year. They are our true Christmas gifts, ones that don’t fit under the tree.
It is official- Northstar has a church building! It is surreal and spectacular. For 18 years Northstar has been remote, before remote was a thing. Now we have a beautiful worship center. And it is the result of so many of our church family, new and old. God has already used it for his glory in so many ways. If you are near Blacksburg or want to plan a trip here, please come see us and worship with us.
Carolyn and her sister, Cortney, started a shaved ice business – Spoons. It is a turquoise food trailer that turns heads wherever it goes. They spent many summer days selling shaved ice around town. They also were able to set up at the VT football games. They switched their menu to specialty hot chocolates once it turned cold. It was a hit!
Sam and Sidney spent the summer with us during their transition to work with Young Life in Winchester, VA. They brought along their newest family member, Hank, the black lab. He has wormed his way into the hearts of all of the Noble family. They bought their first house and already use it to serve others in YL. They are close to DC so plan a trip to see them!
Last Christmas, Adelyn was engaged to Braeden Wallace. He is such a gift to us and fits in perfectly. Their wedding will be December 19. So in just a couple of weeks we will be celebrating! Adelyn also graduated from CNU this year with a Math degree and started her Masters. She already has a teaching job lined up in Newport News where she and Braeden will live.
The Christmas slow-down
Weeks before Thanksgiving, our culture jumps in the Christmas car and jams the accelerator down. Christmas decorations go on sale about Halloween, and we roar past Thanksgiving, barreling down upon December 25. Then we sit exhausted among leftovers and torn wrapping, wondering what happened, barely remembering the journey. Read along in my annual experiment to “slow down Christmas.”
This year Christmas came with a crawl. And yet there was SO MUCH going on. I am delighted and overjoyed. From a Christmas wedding to watching The Chosen Christmas special in the theater, there were a number of “helps” to contribute to a blessed pace this year.
[If you haven’t seen The Chosen Christmas special, go here now! FYI, watch the episode, but there’s a two special with Christmas music that includes the episode that I highly recommend. The link will take you to their app, which you can then use to watch on your device or cast to your smart TV.]
On December 1, I wrote in my journal, “I declare Christmas,” (similar to Michael Scott’s determination to declare bankruptcy) and I resolved to find a way each day during Christmas to give to and/or be a blessing to someone each day. I may have missed a day here and there, but overall, what a joy journey it was to intentionally seek moments to encourage or gift someone else.
Our church celebrated December Nights in our own building this Christmas, and so that was also a special, weekly wonder as we took time to examine the three angelic announcements during that first Christmas. (podcasts here)
Merry Christmas!
May you continue to enjoy the miracle of Christmas long after the day is over – indeed, for the rest of your life! Being a Christmas person means living daily in wonder of God’s greatest gift – Jesus.
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