Category: Christmas

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Dashing Through the Snow

Oh wait – there is no snow and very little dashing. The sleigh is an enclosed black SUV and hopefully there will be lots of laughter. Our youngest daughter, son-in-law and three young grandchildren are coming today for Thanksgiving dinner and a time of decorating for Christmas.

You remember I told you earlier in the week about our Christmas tree cutting adventure last weekend with our oldest daughter and son-in-love. Well, said tree has stood stately through the week and will be the center of attention this afternoon.

I’ve been looking at pictures of our Christmas trees from years past. Some have been quite stately. They have stood strong through many years of cold snowy winters and warm sunny summers. Others were a bit more lean, having a flat side with short little branches because they grew too close to another tree and their growth was stunted.

Each tree had its own beauty and charm. Each tree had grown from a small seed that fell from the pinecone years before we had come. Each tree was a testament to God’s recreative power, and each tree took us to nature, God’s beauty and reminded us of His love.

Thinking about those trees, their imperfections, and their beauty, I was reminded that we are like those trees. We all have our own little quirks and characteristics, but we are all a creation of beauty designed by the Master Creator, our Heavenly Father.

“Let the gift of undeserved grace and the understanding that come from our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ help you keep on growing. Praise Jesus now and forever! Amen.” II Peter 3:18 CEV

Maybe you are a Charley Brown tree or maybe you are majestic like the tree in Rockefeller Plaza. Just let your light shine and bring joy into the lives of those around you.

“You have accepted Christ Jesus as your Lord. Now keep on following him. 7 Plant your roots in Christ and let him be the foundation for your life. Be strong in your faith, just as you were taught. And be grateful.” Colossians 2:6-7 CEV

As we move from Thanksgiving to Christmas we’ll be oohing and awing over Christmas lights and decorations. Busy baking goodies and doing some final shopping. Making special gifts and most of all making memories.

Memories, hopefully, that are centered around Christ and His amazing love for each of us.

Let others see that you are God’s workmanship, created by Him to do good.

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One Night A Year

Merry Christmas everyone!

I’ve been sitting here quietly anticipating the waking of the grandkids. Soon the house will come to life, and it will be Christmas…

But why only one night a year?

I saw a headline on my phone this morning that because of the fighting, Christmas has been cancelled in Bethlehem. Really – cancelled?

Christmas is more than just a day on the calendar, it’s an attitude of the heart. Christmas is a person. It’s the knowledge of our Savior’s birth and the impact that has made on our lives all year through. And yes, there are many things that cause us to lose sight of that wonderful joy we experience this time of year and Christmas is often cancelled in our hearts.

Bitterness, loneliness, financial pressures, illness, anger, war and busy-ness all have a way of creeping in and driving Christmas out.

This morning’s picture is of a flower that only blooms one night a year and then dies. How sad! I never want Christmas to be like that. There’s a song on one of my favorite Christmas CD’s, I play it often, “One Night A Year”.

“Once again the presents are resting by the tree
Once again we worship the One who came for you and me
I hear choirs of voices as they’re singing out His name
Again we tell the story of how the Christ Child came

One night a year we believe in peace on earth
One night a year we praise our Saviour’s birth
I wish every night the whole year through could be like Christmas Eve
When love’s pure light is shining everywhere, one night a year

Once again around the world heads are bowed in prayer
Once again the promise of peace is in the air
But soon will come the morning and the feeling will be past
And I can’t help but wonder why the feeling only lasts

One night a year we believe in peace on earth
One night a year we praise our Saviour’s birth
I wish every night the whole year through could be like Christmas Eve
When love’s pure light is shining everywhere, one night a year”

The prophets foretell the birth of Christ hundreds of years before it actually happened. Now, here we are hundreds of years later. May we always remember the event that changed the world and not just celebrate it one night a year.

“This will happen when the special child is born. God will give us a son who will be responsible for leading the people. His name will be ‘Wonderful Counselor, Powerful God, Father Who Lives Forever, Prince of Peace.’” Isaiah 9:6 ERV

Merry Christmas all year through!

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The Gift of Love

Why Christmas?

Have you ever asked yourself, why Christmas? Christ-mas: the day of Christ. The day of His appearing was the gift of love.

I have been reading through this morning’s verses over and over again. First one translation and then another, these verses are the why of Christmas. This is the purpose of Christmas – a gift of love.

“We have been made right with God because of our faith. So we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. 2 Through our faith, Christ has brought us into that blessing of God’s grace that we now enjoy. And we are very happy because of the hope we have of sharing God’s glory. 3 And we are also happy with the troubles we have. Why are we happy with troubles? Because we know that these troubles make us more patient. 4 And this patience is proof that we are strong. And this proof gives us hope. 5 And this hope will never disappoint us. We know this because God has poured out his love to fill our hearts through the Holy Spirit he gave us.

6 Christ died for us when we were unable to help ourselves. We were living against God, but at just the right time Christ died for us. 7 Very few people will die to save the life of someone else, even if it is for a good person. Someone might be willing to die for an especially good person. 8 But Christ died for us while we were still sinners, and by this God showed how much he loves us.

9 We have been made right with God by the blood sacrifice of Christ. So through Christ we will surely be saved from God’s anger. 10 I mean that while we were God’s enemies, he made friends with us through his Son’s death. And the fact that we are now God’s friends makes it even more certain that he will save us through his Son’s life. 11 And not only will we be saved, but we also rejoice right now in what God has done for us through our Lord Jesus Christ. It is because of Jesus that we are now God’s friends.” Romans 5:1-11 ERV

Why Christmas?

Without it there would have been no Christ. Without His birth there would have been no death. Without His death there would have been no salvation. Without His salvation there would have been no friendship with God.

Why Christmas? Without it there would have been no gift of love!

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I Believe

I’m not one to go around posting selfies but I wanted to share this picture. It’s just one way we can share our testimony with the world.

I believe!

Do you believe? What do you believe? Is your belief based on self-exploration, science, hearsay, experience…? Or is your belief based on faith?

Long before Edison and Franklin, electricity existed. Before Marconi radio ways filled the air. Before Newton there was gravity…There was something that each of these men saw that caused them to dream, to explore and to invent. To Believe.

The Apostle Paul tells us that it’s the goodness of God that draws men to repentance. Man can see in himself and those around him that there is failure, selfishness, greed, misguided ambition, deceit – sin and that he falls short on his own.

But God’s goodness is there to reveal that there’s a better way.

“Jesus saith unto him, ‘Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed. 30 And many other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book: 31 But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name.'” John 20:29-31 KJV

The signs, the miracles, the daily works of Jesus are so extensive that they couldn’t all be recorded. The purpose of His works was to bring us to a place where we believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God and that we can have life through Him.

It’s not like believing in Santa or the tooth fairy or the Easter bunny. Our belief in a personal Savior is life changing; it is empowering; it is transforming!

“One day in your temple is better than a thousand anywhere else. I would rather serve in your house, than live in the homes of the wicked. 11 Our Lord and our God, you are like the sun and also like a shield. You treat us with kindness and with honor, never denying any good thing to those who live right. 12 Lord God All-Powerful, you bless everyone who trusts you.” Psalm 84:10-12 CEV

Are you struggling with belief? It’s ok to question – God’s big enough to handle it. If you’re honest enough to ask, He’s honest enough to answer. That’s what He did for Thomas.

“24 Although Thomas the Twin was one of the twelve disciples, he wasn’t with the others when Jesus appeared to them. 25 So they told him, ‘We have seen the Lord!’ But Thomas said, ‘First, I must see the nail scars in his hands and touch them with my finger. I must put my hand where the spear went into his side. I won’t believe unless I do this!’

26 A week later the disciples were together again. This time, Thomas was with them. Jesus came in while the doors were still locked and stood in the middle of the group. He greeted his disciples 27 and said to Thomas, ‘Put your finger here and look at my hands! Put your hand into my side. Stop doubting and have faith!’ 28 Thomas replied, ‘You are my Lord and my God!… blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed.'” John 20:24-29 CEV

It’s not a matter of whether or not God can handle our questions, it’s can we deal honestly with His answers.

So, I ask again, what do you believe?

I believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the Living God!

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A Son Is Given

All three of our children live “away”. The girls are just an hour up the road but Koy is in California and it takes about 2 hours of flying time to get there. We are grateful that we now live this close.

Those of us parents who have had children join the military or enter other “dangerous” occupations know the heart ache, the apprehension and even the worry of having our children go off into the unknown, into hostile and harmful circumstances.

Now think about this…what if you were Father God. Your Son has been with you every moment from eternity past. You have created universes together; you have intervened in the lives of your creation in a powerful way. Never a cross word spoken, never a rebellious thought or action – your Son is your dearest friend, He’s a part of all you do and have ever done.

He’s leaving now – headed to earth. “unto us a Son is given” Isaiah 9:6

He will be loved by some, treated with ambivalence by most and hated by others and they will plot to kill Him. Although you know all this, you still choose to let Him go and even more than that you choose to let Him die so that He can provide restoration for all those who are incapable of providing it for themselves.

“When anyone is in Christ, it is a whole new world. The old things are gone; suddenly, everything is new! 18 All this is from God. Through Christ, God made peace between himself and us. And God gave us the work of bringing people into peace with him. 19 I mean that God was in Christ, making peace between the world and himself. In Christ, God did not hold people guilty for their sins. And he gave us this message of peace to tell people.” II Corinthians 5:17 ERV

And all of this was not because of our great value or importance but because of His great love.

“Christ died for us when we were unable to help ourselves. We were living against God, but at just the right time Christ died for us. 7 Very few people will die to save the life of someone else, even if it is for a good person. Someone might be willing to die for an especially good person. But Christ died for us while we were still sinners, and by this God showed how much he loves us.9 We have been made right with God by the blood sacrifice of Christ. So through Christ we will surely be saved from God’s anger.” Romans 5:6-9 ERV

“Unto us a Son is given”!

Would you be willing to give your son? Aren’t you glad He did!!

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Christmas Presence

Christmas time as a retiree is so much different than it was with children in the home. There were school programs to attend and help with, gifts to select for teachers, parties to plan as well as time with family and friends.

Christmas was such a hectic time and it seemed everyone was calling your name – Mom, Kristi, Honey? I think every mom has said at one point, “I’m changing my name”. We say that in jest because we never would but some days, we were just tired and out of answers.

How great to know that there is One who is always there to answer when we call. He never gets tired or falls asleep while we’re talking. He’s interested, He’s concerned and He loves to make time for us.

“Ask me, and I will tell you things that you don’t know and can’t find out.” Jeremiah 33:3 CEV

His names: Wonderful, Counsellor, Prince of Peace, Mighty God.

Also Maker, Husband, Lord, Redeemer, Mighty God

” For thy Maker is thine husband; the Lord of hosts is his name; and thy Redeemer the Holy One of Israel; The God of the whole earth shall he be called.” Isaiah 54:5 KJV

His name is Jesus…Savior

“21 And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name Jesus: for he shall save his people from their sins.” Matthew 1:21 KJV

He is I AM: bread of life, the door, the good shepherd, the way, the truth and the life, the Word, the resurrection, the vine, the friend that sticks closer than a brother!

He is our intercessor, our high priest, the author and finisher of our faith, our healer, our Savior, the Son of God.

” For we do not have a High Priest who is unable to sympathize and understand our weaknesses and temptations, but One who has been tempted [knowing exactly how it feels to be human] in every respect as we are, yet without [committing any] sin. 16 Therefore let us [with privilege] approach the throne of grace [that is, the throne of God’s gracious favor] with confidence and without fear, so that we may receive mercy [for our failures] and find [His amazing] grace to help in time of need [an appropriate blessing, coming just at the right moment].” Hebrews 4:15-16 AMP

He is Immanuel, “God with us”! Oh, how I love that. He is God who lives with us and in us. We don’t have to wait for a special visitation as the people did in the Old Testament. We don’t have to experience a burning bush, a pillar of fire or a cloud overshadowing. We have His promise of His Christmas Presence.

“This happened as the Lord said it would happen through the early preacher. 23 He said, ‘The young woman, who has never had a man, will give birth to a Son. They will give Him the name Immanuel. This means God with us.'” Matthew 1:22-23 NLV

Who is it you need to talk to today? He is JESUS!

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A Day to Remember

What do you think of when you see the date, December 7th, on the calendar? How many still remember “the day that will live in infamy”?

I took this picture, years ago, at our home in northern Idaho. It was a reminder of those who fought and died for our freedom. Those who died in a war to secure the shores of our nation and also the One who died to bring us spiritual freedom.

Will the generations to come remember the sacrifice of those who died at Pearl Harbor?

The bigger question is will they remember the One who came as a babe, lived a sinless life and died, becoming the spotless sacrifice for our sins?

We are a people who tend to forget.

“While he was thinking about this, an angel of the Lord came to him in a dream. The angel said, ‘Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife. She is to become a mother by the Holy Spirit. 21 A Son will be born to her. You will give Him the name Jesus because He will save His people from the punishment of their sins.’” Matthew 1:20-21 NLV

A day to remember. Do you remember the day? when Jesus saved you from your sins?

“ I was near Damascus. All at once, about noon, I saw a bright light from heaven shining around me. 7 I fell to the ground. A voice said to me, ‘Saul, Saul, why do you work so hard against Me?’ 8 I said, ‘Who are You, Lord?’ He said to me, ‘I am Jesus of Nazareth, the One you are working against.’” Acts 22:6-8 NLV

Now, my salvation story isn’t as dramatic as the Apostle Paul’s, but I remember. I was a little girl in church on a Sunday evening. I really don’t remember what the preacher said however I knew I wanted Jesus to come live in my heart. I walked forward at the end of the service and Mrs. Turner talked with me about the importance of what I was doing and then she prayed with me to receive Christ.

“Remember this! Jesus Christ, Who was born from the early family of David, was raised from the dead! This is the Good News I preach.” II Timothy 2:8 NLV

A day to remember.

There are so many memories attached to the Christmas season. Songs of joy, celebrations with family and friends, family traditions and activities from Christmases past come flooding in.

May I encourage us all to take time to reflect (remember) the day that Christmas became more about the Person instead of the presents.

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Home for Christmas

The last few nights Dave and I have been reminiscing about our Idaho home. It was more of a farmhouse, small and cozy.

We had four large blue spruce trees in the side yard, a big circular driveway, a cute front porch and one small bathroom but it was home. We got so much snow that Dave and our son would need to go up and shovel it off the roof.

We could be inside warming by the wood stove and look out at the colored lights shining on the snow covered branches. It definitely reminded us of a Currier and Ives Christmas card.

It was home!

Home is many things to many people. Some live in large and spacious mansions while others reside in small cottages. Our son lives on a boat and there are others like us who live in tiny homes. But one thing is the same, the comfort of home.

I remember the first time the song “I’ll be Home for Christmas” took on real meaning to my family. My brother had left for his tour of duty in Viet Nam in the summer of 1969. Mom continued with her Christmas baking just like normal and sent a couple of boxes of baked goods to him and his buddies.

It was hard not having him home that year, hard not knowing how he was or where he was. He was always in our prayers.

Maybe that’s where you are this year. There might be an ache in your heart because a dear loved one will be missing from your Christmas celebration. Do you know that our heavenly Father knows how that feels?

His Son came to earth for thirty-three years. They had never been apart before that. On the night before Jesus was crucified He was thinking of home.

“Do not let your heart be troubled. You have put your trust in God, put your trust in Me also. 2 There are many rooms in My Father’s house. If it were not so, I would have told you. I am going away to make a place for you. 3 After I go and make a place for you, I will come back and take you with Me. Then you may be where I am.” John 14:1-3 NLV

Thinking of home but also making provision for all of us to join Him someday. Home for Christmas!

Our Father also has a heart for the wayward. He waits lovingly, patiently, for us to come home when we have strayed.

” While he was yet a long way off, his father saw him. The father was full of loving-pity for him. He ran and threw his arms around him and kissed him.,,Let us eat and be glad. 24 For my son was dead and now he is alive again. He was lost and now he is found. Let us eat and have a good time.’ Luke 15:20-24 NLV

No Christmas celebration is complete if someone is missing. Step into the Father’s open arms and come home for Christmas.

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A Gift of Words

How many words do you think you speak each day? Now, how many words do you think you hear? More importantly, how many words do you think make a significant difference in your life?

There are conversations, dialogue in the movies, weather forecasts, news reports, songs on the radio – words of encouragement, words that are distressing. Words filled with faith and words that create fear.

The Word we have been given at Christmas comes as a gift.

“The Word (Christ) was in the beginning. The Word was with God. The Word was God. 2 He was with God in the beginning. 3 He made all things. Nothing was made without Him making it. 4 Life began by Him. His Life was the Light for men. 5 The Light shines in the darkness. The darkness has never been able to put out the Light.” John 1:1-5 NLV

Christ is the Word that arrived and brought light to our souls. The prophet Isaiah said that His name was Wonderful, Counselor, Prince of Peace, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Immanuel or God with Us.

When the angel came to Mary and told her she had been chosen by God to birth the Messiah this was her response:

“Then Mary said, ‘I am willing to be used of the Lord. Let it happen to me as you have said.’ Then the angel went away from her.” Luke 1:38 NLV

Mary accepted the “Word” that came from God and then became the vessel that God used to bring the “Word” into the world. Not only did God’s word transform Mary’s life, that Word changed the world.

Words are important! God’s words are important but so are ours.

Words are filled with power – power to create or power to destroy. The writer of Proverbs penned it this way:

“A man’s stomach will be filled with the fruit of his mouth. He will be filled with what his lips speak. 21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit.” Proverbs 18:20-21 NLV

When we put our trust in God’s words, it will change our conversation. Mary believed God’s word and the impossible became possible. The lame man who had been let down through the roof of the house believed God’s word and he “took up his bed and walked”.

Jesus said the Word of God is a firm foundation in time of storm. When we build our lives on God’s word, we will stand steadfast, not moved by fear.

Thank you Father that Your Word became flesh and changed our lives. May our words reflect our hope, faith and trust in You!

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Take A Break

Yesterday Dave picked me up at work and we headed to town. After all, how busy can it be? It’s just December 1st.

Well, it was busy. We stopped long enough at our favorite Mexican food restaurant to enjoy our dinner and visited with our waitress. It was a nice repose before we headed to the grocery store.

Oh my!

Only a few things on our list but some were necessities so it was a stop we couldn’t skip. Busy, busy, busy.

Home. Put things away and then it was time to sit down and enjoy the quiet. You realize that you don’t have to go anywhere to get caught up in the hustle and the bustle of keeping up with life. It can happen anywhere, especially this time of the year.

The holidays can be so hectic – planning for friends and family to visit; making those favorite treats, decorating, parties, finding the perfect gift – all good things – all things that come from a heart of love but all things that can stress you out and fill your days with things that can test the temper.

A good way to keep your day on track is to start it with a short prayer, thanking God for “The reason for the season, Jesus” and then having an afternoon coffee break to focus once again on things above. Bedtime is one more opportunity to be thankful for the wonderful people in your life and for His love.

A sure-fire way to keep your life on track.

“And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness. And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.” Colossians 3:14-17 KJV

I’m praying that each of you have a day filled with blessings.

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