This morning I remember the year my mother kept Christmas up until March! She had a lovely artificial tree that she didn’t take down for three months after Christmas. I don’t even remember why now, but I do remember Christmas lasted a long while at her house that year. God speaks to my heart this morning. Christmas, the holiday, maybe over. But Christmas, the meaning, is never over. Oh beloved, whether you put away the festive décor of Christmas today or a month from today doesn’t matter. What matters is that you never put Christmas away – the true meaning …
Christmas Is A Lot Like A Wedding
I told someone Christmas is a lot like a wedding. So much time spent in preparation and poof it’s over! For better or worse richer or poorer, this year’s celebration is behind us. Are we happy with the day and the time and money we spent on it? Or are we going to rehash disappointments and wonder if anyone enjoyed it? Oh beloved don’t let the enemy steal your rights. You have the right to live without worry- worry that you didn’t fulfill someone else’s plans. Worry that you did too much or too little. Don’t allow the enemy of …
World Conditions
John 1:1-5 “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God,and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” We think of Christmas as a time of dazzling lights and festive decorations, Jesus was not born into such an atmosphere. The truth is He was born during a period the world was in spiritual darkness. The …
My Childhood Celebration of Christmas
Though I was not raised in a devout Christian home, I have some fond memories of celebrating my early Christmases. On Dad’s last trip to town in the wagon, he took Mother’s list of items needed for cooking our Christmas dinner and for goodies Santa would bring Christmas Eve night. When he returned, Mother cautiously took the fruit, candy, nuts, and other goodies and hid them in a protective place, but soon the pungent aroma of apples, revealed their secret hiding place. It was difficult to wait until after our meal on Christmas Eve, but finally the time arrived and Mother appeared in the room announcing Santa had come and left our treats …
Not Long Til Christmas
It’s barely more than three months until Christmas. In light of how 2020 has gone thus far, we might want to plan ahead for it just a bit. I’m not a last minute person, but I have always enjoyed the hunt for just the right gift for just the right person. Even so, I may have to switch tactics a bit this year. IF we’re not careful we will spend a lot of frustrated time comparing this Christmas to past years. But we will have more of a blessed time if we just take this year and enjoy what we …
Christmas Holidays Are Over
Our Christmas tree started out dark green and lush. It’s dead now. Seriously, it’s light green/brown. And you can see clear through it to the other side. What started out verdant and beautiful is now, well, ready for the trash pile. Although we watered it regularly at some point it began to reject taking in the liquid necessary to keep it going. By the time we drag it out the front door it will leave a trail of needles from the house to the truck and beyond. There’s no replanting, repositioning or restoring of this tree. Nice as it …
Childlike Wonder
I think what I like most about Christmas is that it opens our hearts to childlike wonder. Christmas is definitely for children especially. After all it centers around Christ who was born a babe in a manger. I am glad to be like a kid again with fun and enjoyment of decorating, wrapping and preparing. But I am also glad that Jesus is no longer a babe in a manger. Oh beloved! Emmanuel has come and God is with us! Our risen King! He was resurrected into power and gives us all of Himself to celebrate every single day! Most kings …
The Facts
Our Stella wanted a snake for Christmas! A python like she saw at the pet store a while back. That is, until she found out that pythons like to squeeze and eat animals whole. After that she decided no she wasn’t going to take that chance. Sometimes all we need are the facts. Oh beloved, you are so prized by the Lord. He gave his only begotten son for you. He knows what you want he knows your hearts desires. He understands. You want the very best Christmas ever. You want your life to work out well. There are some …
It’s Over?
Well another Christmas is “in the books”. It’s over. For better or worse there is nothing more we can do about it. I work hard to surprise Danny with at least one present he doesn’t know about and each year he just seems to know. LOL And everything that was opened was used and grateful kids ran down battery operated goodies quickly. All in all it was a success. But it’s over. Danny always reads a Scripture passage each year and this year was no exception. That meant a lot considering this year’s happenings. But two grandsons also wanted to …
You Are A Gift
I saw a funny Christmas graphic recently that I saved and sent to a couple of friends who are having issues. It read “Gonna go lay under the tree to remind my family that I am a gift”. If my hubby caught me laying under the tree he’d wonder what had happened to me! But the truth is – we all need an attitude adjustment. We are a gift. Every single one of us. Oh beloved, Christmas is the perfect time to adjust our attitudes. For some reason, even though the season is wild and wonderful, we often focus on …
Surrender
I have HUGE plans each year for Christmas. I also have a full time job, a full time home, husband and writing ministry as well as speaking opportunities. I am a grandmother too. I have great ideas, beautiful plans and wistful thinking. This tends to get me flustered to say the least. So a few days ago as I looked at the not quite decorated pump organ in our living room, I decided to surrender. Surrender all my Christmas ideals and walk into the peaceful season. I have a lot things decorated but if something doesn’t get done I will …
Be Still
The Christmas tree is decorated. Gifts are being wrapped and lovingly placed beneath it. It’s Christmas time again. I know this not just because of the beautiful decorations everywhere or the calendar, but also because the mall and commercials made sure to tell me about it months ago. So many things are left to do and experience, but though my schedule and life are saying “hurry, rush,” I can’t miss how often my heart is whispering, “slow, be still.” I often see depictions of the time leading up to Jesus’ birth as still and calm, but I’ve had three babies …
