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