Countdown to Christmas

As I ponder the meaning of Christmas this year, I'm reminded that it's not about presents. For the first time in our marriage my husband and I have not purchased the first gift of the season. This last fall we have been hit with health issues and mounting medical bills. Add to that a house move around Thanksgiving and we haven't recovered yet. I am so happy to be pregnant with my second child, due in April, but this pregnancy has been difficult. I've been dealing with sciatica since September and until November constant nausea. My husband has been working full time as our sole provider and then coming home to take care of me and my son. As we enter the Christmas season, and Michael has logged almost 4 months of nursing me back to health, the gifts don't seem as important to us. This Christmas, it's about surviving and team work. I love my husband. He has been such a trooper and this year the countdown to Christmas is about being together and having grace to make it through each day.