My teenager and Joy to the World

Before I share my card, I just want to say that in just a couple of hours, I will be officially a mother of a teenager. Happy 13th birthday to my beautiful daughter Gracie, who is smart, beautiful, tough, very helpful around the house (she's our family's main laundry folder), and an amazing young woman who has fierce determination on things she's passionate about and possesses some mad language and flute-playing skillz. God is so good to give her to us.We love you, Gracie, and cannot believe you are now a teen. You have brought us so much joy .We are so proud of you and can't wait to make more wonderful memories in this new stage of our life together. Stay sweet and beautiful, both on the outside and inside.:)

Now, about today's card...you will notice that I use the phrase, "Joy to the world" a lot on my Christmas cards. It sort of sums up the message of Christmas. The coming of Christ has brought joy to the world and it is this why we celebrate! Finally, because the Messiah has come, there is hope, redemption and joy that nothing and nobody can take away. It is this hope and joy only found in Christ that keep everyday life worth living, suffering worth enduring, risk worth taking, and death not quite as scary as it used to be. What a much needed message Christmas is in this crazy world we live in. And what a comfort for me to know the One who is greater than me to trust in and rely on for everyday life.

Can you tell I'm passionate about the Christmas message? I am and want to share that with all my friends and family. Now back to the card, I used my Penny Black Hanging Treasures for this card. The ornament coordinates with Spellbinders' Heritage Ornaments 2011 dies. The sentiment is from Peace on Earth.

I stitched the ornaments on the middles. The background paper is inked on the edges with Distress inks and comes from the Madison Designer paper pad. Sheer ribbon with a pearl brad adorns the ornament. And a strip of Want2Scrap pearls highlight the sentiment.

Have a great week!