Christmas • 2023

Merry Christmas 2023

Wishing you and your family a wonderful holiday ~

Christmas Day has arrived! How are you feeling? This season is filled with the full spectrum of emotions. Breathe them all in, sit with them because YOU matter. YOU matter because you are a child of the living God. Long, long ago…God’s son, Jesus came to earth to be born so that you and I would have life eternal. This season is about the a baby, a manager, a virgin having a baby, and a man whose faith was firm in believing God and His plan for his life. Joseph doesn’t get a lot of attention in the Christmas story, he’s more of a “behind the scenes” character, but is he really?

Joseph, is a supporting character in the Christmas story. He trusts God, believes in Mary’s virginity and accepts the role of being Jesus’ earthly father. He taught Jesus in his trade as a carpenter and provided essential for sustaining His earthly body. The Bible refers to Joseph as a “righteous man.” I reviewed several translations of Matthew 1:19 and most say, “And her husband Joseph, since he was a righteous man and did not want to disgrace her, planned to send her away secretly.”

Here’s a link if you are interested in reading a few: https://biblehub.com/matthew/1-19.htm

This Christmas, I am thankful for my earthly parents. God blessed me beyond measure and I’m so thankful to have had them as role models, caregivers and the purity of their love for all people. A solid foundation of the meaning of family was instilled in and upon me from the first breath I ever breathed. My parents, along with so many of my friend’s parents are now in Heaven, celebrating with Jesus this very day!

As much as I miss my parents, I know they are exactly where God wants them to be. I am choosing to love on those God has placed in my life. In this, I am truly blessed. Don’t let opportunities pass you by; love deeply, laugh out loud, be present with others and share yourself and your blessings with others.

I love you all, thank you for spending time with me today. ~Peace Be With You, Always

“This is how the birth of Jesus the Messiah came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be pregnant through the Holy Spirit. Because Joseph her husband was faithful to the law, and yet did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly. But after he had considered this,

an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is fromthe Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.” All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel” (which means “God with us”).” – Matthew 1: 18-23

“Jesus is called Emmanuel, which means “God-with-us.”

The great paradox of Jesus’ life is that he, whose words and actions are

in no way influenced by human blame or praise but are completely dependent

on God’s will, is more “with” us than any other human being. Jesus’ compassion,

his deep feeling-with-us, is possible because his life is guided not by human respect

but only by the love of his heavenly Father. Indeed, Jesus is free to love us

because he is not dependent on our love.”

– Henri Nouwen, Bread for the Journey

To read all the Advent devotionals for 2023 from the Henri Nouwen website, click the link below.

https://wp.henrinouwen.org/?page_id=2224

~Charlotte, Seeker of unexpected Comfort, Happiness, Joy and Patience.