Christmas

Merry Christmas to you! This song is one of my favorites to sing and listen to during the Christmas season. It reminds me of my best friend from high school, it was her favorite song too.  My life has certainly changed through the years since high school; I have learned a lot over the years and would not be interested in going back and I’m thankful for the lessons I learned back then. It’s interesting to me, how life’s lessons affect us differently as we grow and mature and eventually reflect upon our past. It’s true what some people say about young people seem to be in a hurry to grow up and how grown ups seem to wish they had spent more time being young and active(?). I’ve tried to live my life with no regrets, I’ve made plenty of mistakes and done things I wish I had not done but if I chose to regret them all, I would also forfeit the lessons I learned in each of those instances. The most difficult thing I struggle with is forgiving myself and I am learning that it hinders me from experiencing God forgiveness and fullness. These things have been weighing on my heart as I have been preparing for the Christmas celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ many years ago in Bethlehem. Why did Jesus come to us as a baby? Why did He subject himself to pain and rejection of so many? The answer is simply LOVE! Jesus loves all His children, His creations and wants each of us to spend eternity with Him in Heaven. As you celebrate Christmas this year I pray that you seek to know Jesus and to keep “Christ” in your Christmas. Another favorite thing  from my childhood was reading the “Birth of Jesus” from Luke’s gospel chapter two, I pray it brings you the good news you need to hear.

Luke 2:1-20  “In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) And everyone went to their own town to register. So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them. And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.” When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.” So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.”
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=Luke%202:1-20&version=NIV

Let There Be Peace and Let It Begin With Me.
~Blessings and Peace~