Christmas...
Thanksgiving has always been my favorite time of year as well as my favorite holiday. I love fall... the changes of the leaves, the smell of fall air, the change in time, etc. A time to really reflect on the blessings God has bestowed upon me and the blessings yet to come. Yes. Fall. A wonderful holiday.
It's no surprise that this year, Thanksgiving, again is my favorite time of year. But tonight. Tonight is Christmas Eve. I seldom ever go out on Christmas Eve by myself, but this year I was blessed to be part of the worship team on Christmas Eve and again tomorrow....Christmas Day. I love the songs of the season. Every year around this time, I do my annual "tradition". I listen to Christmas music on the radio or my iPod/MP3 player as I do chores around the house or do my crocheting, or reading my books. I go into the "back" of my closet and take out my 3 Christmas movies that has a touching story behind it. I watch them. I cry. I hope for a better ending every time. I then retrieve my 4 funny Christmas movies. I laugh and I smile. I wonder "how in the world do people come up with story lines like this?"
Tonight, as I was driving to church. I put in my favorite Christmas CD. Third Day: Christmas Offerings. I listen to it and I absorb the meaning of it all. Whatever struggles are with me are silenced by the words talking about Jesus' Birth. Tonight I helped lead worship in song. My heart was lightened and struck by the beauty of the the Son of God's birth shared by one of the members at my church. As he spoke, I couldn't help but think about how the story unfolded of Jesus' birth. How did Mary feel? And Joseph? Were they perplexed at the miraculous way that Jesus was to be born.....to a Virgin? Wow. Mind blowing. The night was silent. Jesus Christ IS born!
I went to the advent candle to light my candle. Prayer was offered. Candles were held. ONE lite candle lite up all the candles that everyone was holding. ONE CANDLE was all it took to start the strand of candle lights across the whole sanctuary. As I saw this, I couldn't help but remember that it took only ONE Savior to save ALL of God's chosen. Then we sang. Sang Silent Night, Holy Night. My voice was numb. I tried to sing but somehow I couldn't. I was embracing the words to the song. I closed my eyes and sang what I could; but mostly listened. It was a Silent Night....A silent night in that stable. Really a KING born in a stable? Why not somewhere more comfortable? Why? God chose the stable to have His ONLY SON to be born.... and that same SON would one day die on the cross for our sins... Christ knew that. The Son of God was BORN to die for our sins. WOW, what sacrifice.
So really, friends, Christmas to me should be an every day celebration. If he had not been born, He would not have died for our sins. He is our Intercessor. He is KING in the hearts of the elect. He is ruler of the Nations. And He watches over us ALL. THE. TIME. Gifts from friends or family are great. But the greatest gift is knowing that there is a place in Heaven for each of His Elect. And while Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday; CHRISTMAS is THE MOST important EVENT, not of the year, but EVERY DAY.
It's no surprise that this year, Thanksgiving, again is my favorite time of year. But tonight. Tonight is Christmas Eve. I seldom ever go out on Christmas Eve by myself, but this year I was blessed to be part of the worship team on Christmas Eve and again tomorrow....Christmas Day. I love the songs of the season. Every year around this time, I do my annual "tradition". I listen to Christmas music on the radio or my iPod/MP3 player as I do chores around the house or do my crocheting, or reading my books. I go into the "back" of my closet and take out my 3 Christmas movies that has a touching story behind it. I watch them. I cry. I hope for a better ending every time. I then retrieve my 4 funny Christmas movies. I laugh and I smile. I wonder "how in the world do people come up with story lines like this?"
Tonight, as I was driving to church. I put in my favorite Christmas CD. Third Day: Christmas Offerings. I listen to it and I absorb the meaning of it all. Whatever struggles are with me are silenced by the words talking about Jesus' Birth. Tonight I helped lead worship in song. My heart was lightened and struck by the beauty of the the Son of God's birth shared by one of the members at my church. As he spoke, I couldn't help but think about how the story unfolded of Jesus' birth. How did Mary feel? And Joseph? Were they perplexed at the miraculous way that Jesus was to be born.....to a Virgin? Wow. Mind blowing. The night was silent. Jesus Christ IS born!
I went to the advent candle to light my candle. Prayer was offered. Candles were held. ONE lite candle lite up all the candles that everyone was holding. ONE CANDLE was all it took to start the strand of candle lights across the whole sanctuary. As I saw this, I couldn't help but remember that it took only ONE Savior to save ALL of God's chosen. Then we sang. Sang Silent Night, Holy Night. My voice was numb. I tried to sing but somehow I couldn't. I was embracing the words to the song. I closed my eyes and sang what I could; but mostly listened. It was a Silent Night....A silent night in that stable. Really a KING born in a stable? Why not somewhere more comfortable? Why? God chose the stable to have His ONLY SON to be born.... and that same SON would one day die on the cross for our sins... Christ knew that. The Son of God was BORN to die for our sins. WOW, what sacrifice.
So really, friends, Christmas to me should be an every day celebration. If he had not been born, He would not have died for our sins. He is our Intercessor. He is KING in the hearts of the elect. He is ruler of the Nations. And He watches over us ALL. THE. TIME. Gifts from friends or family are great. But the greatest gift is knowing that there is a place in Heaven for each of His Elect. And while Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday; CHRISTMAS is THE MOST important EVENT, not of the year, but EVERY DAY.
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