Family Christmas looks Different than it Used to

Last week we had our big family Christmas (where my sister, her husband and I had the great privilege of giving Grandma and Grandpa a gift of purpose towards the Lifesong School in Zambia.  They LOVED it!)  

As we do every year, we gathered in a large circle to sing Christmas carols and open gifts.  Let me emphasize, right now, that I don't use the word "large" lightly.  This year's circle was made up of:

2 grandparents,

their 6 children including spouses,

18 grandchildren including their spouses,

39 great-grandchildren (plus one on the way),

and 2 great aunts (sisters of my grandpa).  

So yes, when I say large, I mean LARGE.

And here's the cool part.  As I looked around at those 39 little kiddos I saw 3 Guatamalans, 1 Chinese with Cerebral Palsy, and 3 bi-racial foster kids.  

I thought about how all 7 of these beautiful children could have gone through their lives not knowing real love... being labeled the foster kid, the girl with special needs, the orphan.

Instead their labels include Suhny-love and Laylee-lou.  Instead they are a part of a family Christmas where they can sing and laugh (and sometimes even get a good scolding or two), knowing full well that they are loved... a LOT.

I am so thankful to my grandparents for passing down a legacy of love towards our Heavenly Father, towards our family, and towards others.  I am so thankful that their son, my dad, decided 8 years ago to transfer his title from "business man" to "orphan advocate."  I am so thankful that Lifesong for Orphans has become what it has to not only my family, but other families too.  I am so thankful that my great God, my Daddy set the ultimate example of adoption when He adopted me!

I am so thankful that my family Christmas looks different than it used to.

How about our adoptive families out there... How has your Christmas changed since adoption became a part of your story?