Oh Holy Night, the stars are brightly shining. It is the night of our dear Savior’s birth. Long lay the world in sin and error pining ’til he appeared and the soul felt its worth. A thrill of hope, the weary world rejoices for yonder breaks a new and glorious morn!

It’s here, it’s here, it’s HERE! Oh, I just love this month so much! I don’t know what it is about Christmas lights that just make everything better, but sitting here typing to you, with holiday music (and Ryan’s bouncer music) and the twinkle of lights just makes the morning seem right!

It’s more than just the Christmas cheer though. Because let’s be real: as wonderful as this time of year is supposed to be, December is often approached with hesitation and sadness. Whether it’s because of the loss of a loved one, broken relationships, or heck, even a broken budget, the holidays are not always jolly & bright.

But that is precisely the beauty of the season, my friend. Christmas isn’t for the shining lights or shiny people. It’s not for perfectly styled dinners or  squares or outfits or ANYTHING. It’s for you and me: members of this weary world desperately in need of a new morning.

And I don’t know about you, but that just gives me all the feels — more than any airport-arriving-holiday-scene-induced-euphoria-thank-you-Love-Actually can do! :)

To celebrate the new month, here are some current (or soon to be current!) happenings in the Orndorff abode:

Watching: Parenthood, The Holiday, Love Actually, and Winnie the Pooh’s Happy Pooh Year (Ryan makes it about 5 minutes in before he’s over it, but it’s the cutest thing ever!), and IU Basketball whenever we get the chance!

Drinking: coffee + a splash (or dump…) of Trader Joe’s eggnog. Try it. Love it. Thank me later.

Eating: this meal,  lots of crockpot soups, and grapefruit galore!

Listening: the David Crowder (Holiday) Pandora station…and Clay Aiken and/or Kelly Clarkson’s Christmas albums #guiltypleasure

Reading: the Amen Paper Company Advent Devotional, plus lots and lots of student essays

Decorating: our house! In the past few weeks, we’ve been hanging photos like crazy (including some black & white prints from our trip to NYC) and getting our bedroom ready for all the Black Friday sales we hit!

And, as always, some December goals to complete before Christmas:

• Send out Bridal Guides to 2017 Couples (I know, I know, I know. I think this has been on my goal list the last four months…but it’s FINALLY perfect!!)
• Compile THE BEST OF 2016 Blog Posts!! Ahhh!!! :) :)
• Update my website portfolio section
• Finalize and send Christmas packages to 2016 Couples
• Order and mail our Christmas cards!!!
• Donate old winter coats to an Indianapolis charity
• Reduce, reduce, reduce our STUFF (I’m thinking of holding an online garage sale…but we will see. It may all just end up at Goodwill!)
• PLAN RYAN’S 1ST BIRTHDAY PARTY!!! (Cue all the tears!)

Happy December, friends!