Unlike the wise men, James didn't have to pack up his belongings for a month-long trip. He didn't have to go out of country or even out of town. In fact, he didn't have to leave his house! He grew up as a sibling of Jesus. He had the unique perspective of a front-row seat to Jesus, celebrated so many of Jesus' birthdays with him, yet each of those Christmases he missed because he did not believe.

The innkeeper and Mary both accepted inconvenience but one mustered up the strength to tolerate it while the other sought strength to welcome inconvenience.

This year, it's a song and a photo because when I look at this photo, or really any photo of our family, this song is the one which is sung in the recesses of my mind. It's truth ushers me into a place of deep gratitude. This gratitude helps me keep the Giver at the forefront. For, it can be so easy to hold the gift in an exalted position, but giving thanks allows me to remember the One who gave this beautiful gift of family to me. The One who went to immeasurable lengths to ensure I could be pa