Remembering CHRISTmas

My precious wife Sharon mentioned late last year she became aware for the first time that all around us we seemed to go from Halloween to Christmas without regard to Thanksgiving. What a modern day tragedy. ​

​Let’s not pack away for another year the stuff about our “Christ centered” celebration. Let’s ponder the true meaning of Christmas, let it linger in our hearts. 

So, with time fleeting by I must share a personal note with you that was hand written on a Christmas card we received this past Christmas.  The note is attributed to Max Lucado and it might help us hold on to the beauty of Christmas a bit longer.

The paraphrase on our favorite
​card this year reads as follows 

“On a starlight night in the company of sheep and cattle, Mary’s eyes fell upon the face of her just born son. She was probably weary - in pain - ready to place her head on the straw and sleep the rest of the night; she first wanted to see His face! To wipe the moisture from His mouth and feel the shape of His chin. To be the first to whisper, ‘so this is what God looks like.’” ​

The personal note from our dear friend continues;
​“rejoice in the birth of our Lord and Savior. May the blessings of Christ
​be upon you both. We thank God for both of you! You bless us so much.”

By this note we are impacted by the grace and power of that lowly birth so many centuries ago. And the touching conclusion of that note in the card is an encouragement to us to concentrate on being the people God wants us to be. Encourage someone today. 

Make it a point to encourage someone every day this year. Make it a habit. My father told me years ago that doing something 30 times is enough to create a habit. Try it, see for yourself if it works; the year will be a whole new blessing to you and of course to others as well.

Let me remind you of a thought I shared with you in November, just a few months ago;

"I am thankful for what I have, and for what I do not have; 
​I am thankful for who I am, and for who I am not.” 

Strive to be the person God wants you to be!

Verses to help you

Trust in the LORD with all your heart And do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He will make your paths straight.                                     Proverbs 3:5-6

And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect. Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship.                                                        Romans 12:1-2

And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.
                                                                        Romans 8:28

Yet those who wait for the LORD Will gain new strength; They will mount up with wings like eagles, They will run and not get tired, They will walk and not become weary.             Isaiah 40:31