Merry Christmas from our family to yours!!

I consider you, my reader, a friend and wanted to share our family Christmas letter with you as well!  I pray the season finds you full of excitement and joy and asking God to bless you in 2012!!
    I always love trips to the mailbox during this time of the year, not because I like winter, but it’s a joy to get updates from each of you and see some pictures too!  This year I’ve found myself struggling to sit down long enough to write our Christmas letter.  As the day of celebration gets closer and closer, I find myself a bit overwhelmed and feeling a little stress.  Perhaps you can relate?  Presents to buy, cookies to bake, letters to write, plans to make…you get the idea!  But tonight I’ll pause and scratch one thing off my list!
    The highlight of the year would have to be the birth of Jesse Clay Beran!!  He arrived on July 19th and was instantly loved by all!!  I feel like a coach once again…it’s no longer 2 forwards and 3 guards, but 3 boys and 2 girls!!  So for the rest of Team Beran, the year has been busy with school, AWANA’s, sports, sleepovers, farming, sewing with Grandma Marie and the annual summer trip with Grandpa and Grandma Biwer.  There were lots of fun times and many memories made during 2011!!  Thanks to all of you for being part of them!!
    As I sit here and reflect on the year we’ve had my thoughts have shifted a bit, being overwhelmed at Christmas really isn’t something new.  I’m sure I could ask my mom, grandma or any mom if Christmas and all the prep it includes ever left them overwhelmed and the answer would be yes.  But I’m thinking of going back further than that with thoughts of another Mom, Mary the Mother of Jesus, the boy we celebrate.  Then there’s Joseph and the Shepherds…if I had to guess at some point in the story I believe they were overwhelmed. 
    So if you find yourself in a similar place this Christmas will you join me in setting aside the overwhelming feelings and simply remember the Reason for the season!  You’ll still be overwhelmed - not because of all you have to do, but instead because of all God has done!  These feelings won’t lead to stress, but always help me remember I am blessed!! 
   Merry Christmas to you!  We pray the season brings you peace, joy and love and even leaves you feeling a bit overwhelmed!!! 
                                                                                                      With Love,
                                                                                                      “Team Beran”
                                                                                                       Job, Jill,
                                                                                                       J.D. (8), Joy (6),
                                                                                                       Jaylyn (4), Jed (2)
                                                                                                       and Jesse (5 Months)

“The LORD bless you and keep you; the LORD make his face shine on you and be gracious to you;
the LORD turn his face toward you and give you peace.”  Numbers 6:24-26