Let's have a Merry Christmas anyway - Contagious joy...Catch it!

Let’s have a Merry Christmas anyway. Fear, lockdowns, masks. Let’s have a Merry Christmas anyway. Sickness, no school, no church. Let’s have a Merry Christmas anyway. Loss of hours, income, jobs. Let’s have a Merry Christmas anyway. Loneliness, depression, uncertainty. Let’s have a Merry Christmas anyway!

What will Your Christmas whisper?

With the year we’ve lived through, maybe it’s time to take a fresh look at what Jesus has to offer.

Have you thought of Him lately? Has He been whispering to you, trying to get your attention? Have you accepted what He offers?

“I don’t want a Christmas you can buy.

I don’t want a Christmas you can make.

What I want is a Christmas you can hold.

A Christmas that holds me, remakes me, revives me.

I want a Christmas that whispers, JESUS.”

~Ann Voskamp

Do you have Your forever-gift?

As I grew up, my mom played the organ in our small church so we were always there. I attended Sunday school, summer camps, and sang all the songs about God but I never “received” Him. I didn’t know I could or should.

In 1994, with a husband and 4 small children, my life forever changed. I accepted the gift that God had been holding out to me.

Some people think that if they believe in God they will automatically go to heaven because He sent Jesus to die on the cross for all of us. Yes, He did. But a gift isn’t really yours, even though your name is on it, until you take it, receive it.

“But to all who received Him, who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God.” ~John 1:12

I received the gift of salvation, of living eternally in a breathtakingly-beautiful perfect place with a loving Father.

I’m saved because my name is in the Lamb’s Book of Life. Praying yours is, too.

But this gift isn’t just for the future! I’ve been learning and growing ever since.

It has many facets for today, like light (for joy), peace (through the battles of this life), and delight for the journey.

Let’s have a Merry Christmas with Light

I’ve always loved light.

It’s welcoming like a front-porch light, sets a mood, and is stunningly beautiful (think sunrise).

A year-round strand of clear lights on the dining room window makes our home cozy, a purple set on my white headboard invites me to bed at night, and the twinkling lights on our back deck bring winter joy in the darkness.

The golden-orange glow of a salt lamp stands guard in a kitchen corner 24 hours a day; another corner holds a mini evergreen lit up all year long.

This time of year darkness creeps up earlier and earlier each night, which makes the light even more appreciated.

Jesus is the Light of the World: was, is, and forever will be.

His light in me pierces the darkness in my world.

“I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” ~John 8:12

As the lights of the season shine in the darkness, may we follow the unquenchable light of His Presence, so we don’t stumble in the darkness!

Let’s have a Merry Christmas with Peace

This is a gift of God that keeps on giving.

In this fast-paced, crazy world we NEED peace for emotional and spiritual sanity. I need my early-morning quiet time to be strengthened and reminded of His promises.

Just reading/reciting one of my favorite verses refreshes my peace:

“You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast because he trusts in You.” ~Isa 26:3

His peace is truly evident in my life.

Over the past 3 years, there have been broken relationships in our family. It hurts. It’s sad. YET, I trust in Him and His timing for healing and the glorious reuniting to come.

And this Covid year has seen Rick’s income go down by more than half. But He is our provider, so I’ll not worry. He knows what we need.

I try to practice gratitude daily. Focusing on what we do have lightens my soul and is better than mourning for what we don’t have.

As you pull out the bulbs, greenery, and knick-knacks, let peaceful memories decorate your heart.

As we move from room to room, filling our homes with the sights and sounds of Christmas, may gratitude fill our hearts with peace.

Let’s have a Merry Christmas with Delight

Not all the gifts we give and receive are wrapped and under the tree.

Some of the most precious gifts are sincere smiles, laughter, and sharing our hearts with one another. Also, long tight hugs. 🙂

How about gathering around the tree on Christmas Eve and praying for the person next to you? Our family experienced this in the past, and it’s one of my favorite memories of all time.

♥ ♥ ♥

I guess I tend to delight in the little things.

A stunning sky, babies, a handwritten note, a squirrel coming up on my deck to get a drink of water from the bowl I leave out, settling down for a good movie after supper and dishes are done, a restful night’s sleep. Helping someone in need. Music that touches my soul and makes me dance. Charlie’s giggles.