Rejoice for Christ is Born!

For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. – Isaiah 9:6

May your Christmas be blessed with the real purpose and meaning – that is the gift of the birth of our Savior. And May He fill your day with his peace, his wonder, his wisdom and his love. Merry Christmas! Amen

Seasonal joy, seasonal adjustment

It is a funny thing the way our minds work, and the way that life is. Christmas has always been a favorite time of year for me… the visitng , the food, the company, the decorations, the baking…

But the year my mom died shattered that joy. And for a few years after it was a challenge to just put up the tree, or do anything that was previously routine. But that was 17 years ago and I certainly know that I needed to give time for the grief process to heal my wounded heart. And for at least the last 10 years I have tried to start new traditions, and again return to a joy of the season, all be it different because it will never be as it was in my youth.

This year has hit me like a ton of bricks. I want so much to celebrate, but I am working 2 jobs, semi-exhaused, and trying to move forward seems like treading in mud. So it hit me today that I have a committment to those around me to find the joy in my life, and that glint of light of hope, and instead of focusing on the despiration of wanting things to be as they once were and never will be, I need to focus on the blessings I have, and the grace God has bestowed upon me to call me out of darkness, out of a sin steeped life and into his light and his salvation. This season of time in my life is just that. Seasons change, and one day the discouragement and sadness I feel now will melt away when I gaze into the face of Jesus, and in his grace he lets me see my mother again.

So this is more of a pep talk to myself that this season is all about remembering the mercy of God, that he would not let mankind suffer and die in deep sin, but that He, himself, who knew no sin would immerse himself in this sinful world.

Zec 3:3 Now Joshua was clothed with filthy garments, and stood before the angel.
Zec 3:4 And he answered and spake unto those that stood before him, saying, Take away the filthy garments from him. And unto him he said, Behold, I have caused thine iniquity to pass from thee, and I will clothe thee with change of raiment.

The stains and scars we bear now is temporary. One day we will have our fithly garments removed, and we will be clothed in the righteousness of our God. One day, like Joshua, we will no longer have to bear the heavyness of sin and the filth of this sin scarred world.

I am thankful that this Christmas I posess the greatest gift I could ever have, and that is the gift of salvation and friendship with Jesus.

May you experience the joy of salvation and turn your eyes to him this season. Amen