I was recently assigned by my daughter’s Room Representative to provide a ½ dozen cupcakes for their upcoming Christmas party. Needless to say, yesterday (the afternoon before they were due), in a frantic rush Izzy and I weaved our way through the holiday crowds and grocery carts and gathered up cake mix, green icing, milk, and eggs. By the time I pulled my car out of the parking lot I was as flushed as Santa and as grumpy as the Grinch.

Almost home, my daughter exclaimed, “WE FORGOT THE SPRINKLES!”

Running through my mind what I knew was in the bag and what was not, I realized she was right. I have learned to pick my battles, and leaving sprinkles off holiday cupcakes was one I was certain was not worth the war. We made a special trip back to the store.

Finally at home with red and green sprinkles, we finished up dinner and homework, put on pj’s, and took out the ingredients to whip up the cupcakes. I had everything I needed…well, almost. Cupcake liners….nope, didn’t get those. Completely slipped my mind.

I looked at Izzy and could tell by her expression she was about to panic. It was too dark for me to drive back to the store…we had to figure it out on our own. Rummaging through old tubs of cookie cutters and food coloring, I came across an old package of cupcake liners. Bingo!!

“Woo-whoo!” I yelled.

Izzy looked bewildered and doubtful, “Mom, those have Easter bunnies on them!”

“Yes they do,” I said laughing with relief. “Nothing to be embarrassed about,” I tried to cajole her. Truthfully, I didn’t care if they had pumpkins on them. I was just thankful to find something that would suffice.

And then I had an epiphany…what better cupcake combination than Christmas and Easter? In this moment, both Santa and the Grinch were overpowered by the true Host of this celebration…Jesus Christ.

Both Christmas and Easter celebrate LOVE. Both are necessary in fulfilling God’s promise to us. Christmas provides us the savior we need. Easter provides us victory over sin. Together, they tell the whole story of just how important we are to God.

 “God demonstrated His own love for us in this: while we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8).

Through the birth of Jesus we became reconciled to God. His son freed us from condemnation. God gave us the greatest gift, LOVE, through the birth of His son. And then, we were given life eternal through the renewal and rebirth of our souls in Jesus’ victory over death. Through both these celebrations we become renewed each and every morning. Each and every day becomes a celebration of love, freedom, life eternal, and the removal of the stains in our life. Each and every day becomes a SWEET BEGINNING.

“God's loyal love couldn't have run out, his merciful love couldn't have dried up. They're created new every morning. How great your faithfulness! I'm sticking with God (I say it over and over). He's all I've got left” (Lamentations 3:22-24).

Izzy bounded off this morning with a ½ dozen cupcakes covered with red and green sprinkles wrapped in Easter bunny liners…she stepped up into the bus holding the entire story…the SAVIOR’S STORY and HER PERSONAL LOVE STORY of  life eternal. What a delicious reminder of the hope we take with us each and every day and the sacrifice which was made for us to enjoy such freedoms. Indeed, these are the gifts which define and create our own chapters and our own endings.

May each of you be especially blessed this holiday season and New Year. May you use your gifts to create sweet beginnings each and every morning! Love & Joy to You….