Christmas 2014: The Birthday of a King

ISAIAH 9:6 (NIV): “For to us a child is born, to us a child is given, and the government shall be on His shoulders. And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”

For the past couple of years instead of exclusively shopping in the stores for Christmas gifts, I have been purchasing almost everything on line. I find it less stressful for me, and I usually find what I want more quickly on line instead of in the department stores. However, there are certain things that I do miss about the “only” store-shopping experience:

The shopping (and of course the waiting in line)….
The Lights….
The Stockings….
The Sights….
And Sounds (Music) of Christmas…

The department stores are filled with all of the above. However, for those of you who enjoy these things, I don’t want to lessen that experience for you. Actually, I went to Walmart the other day to pick up a shipment and had to wait quite a while in line to pick up the two items I ordered on line. I also enjoy getting together with friends for lunch and listening to the beautiful Christmas music coming over the speakers and looking at the beautiful decorations. During the Christmas season, Isaiah 9:6 reminds us of Christ’s coming as a little babe and that He would be called “Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace” and so much more. As we remember His birth, let us also rejoice that He died, rose again, and is coming back for each of us.

My heart is saddened by those who would try to take “Christ” out of Christmas because without Christ there would be no Christmas. May He fill your hearts and lives with His wondrous love this Christmas season as you celebrate the “birthday of a King” with family and friends.

Blessings,
Yvonne

Reading for December: “Becoming A Woman of Grace” by Cynthia Heald.

The Attitude of the Beatitudes: Living a Life That’s Full

Matthew: 5:3-12: “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”
Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst after righteousness, for they will be filled.
Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.
Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God.
Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.’

In 1975, I read a book entitled, “A New Joy” by Colleen Townsend Evans, an up-and-coming movie actress at the time who turned author and pastor’s wife. I was immediately drawn to her perspective and definitions as she explained each of the Beatitudes in her own words, and the book left an impression on my life for years to come.

From time to time I re-visit the chapters she outlined in which she defined the meaning of the humble woman, the sorrowing woman, the gentle woman, the fulfilled woman, the generous woman, the sincere woman, the peacemaking woman, the suffering woman, and the salty Christians. Humility, sorrow, gentleness, fulfillment, generosity, sincerity, and peace took on a new meaning in my own life; and as I studied the Beatitudes in more detail, I also became more aware of my own shortcomings in a number of these areas.

However, each day the Lord gently reminds me how I have grown and changed since I accepted Him into my life at the age of 15 and that it is only through His grace that I am saved.

The Lord has truly blessed me and my family throughout the years and recently blessed us with our first grandson who is five weeks old.

His love and mercy endures forever and His love never fails us.

As we celebrate the Christmas season, let us rejoice at the miraculous birth of His Son, our Savior and King. Jesus definitely is the “reason for the season” and He lives within each and every one of us. May He help us to “live the life to which He has called us.”

Blessings and Merry Christmas,
Yvonne