Christmas Reflections
This year, I was thinking it would be neat to hear how everyone experienced Christmas- not just what you did, but how you felt Christ's presence during Christmastime.
We'll, if I'm going to put the idea out there-I'd better start the "trend" I fully expect all you other bloggers to write about this too! 
It seems easier this lazy Friday morning to just make a list rather than nice fluid paragraphs, so here goes:
1. The day before Christmas Eve we went to Corvallis to be with my side of the family. My cousin David brought his girlfriend Libby. She was such a sweetheart. It seems that Christ has answered many prayers with the arrival of this lady into David's life. I'd never seen him so relaxed, happy and in-love. Love.
2. Jolee kept her dress down in front of the congregation during 2 Christmas Eve services in which we helped lead the singing upfront. AND it was beautiful looking out and seeing so many smiling faces as we sang. Joy.
3. Somehow I regained my composure after losing it with my kids on Christmas Eve day as i prepped for the arrival of family. Peace.
4. My children didn't receive everything they wanted for Christmas-but I never once heard a complaint. However birthdays are right around the corner. Patience.
5. We enjoyed lots of goodies while unwrapping gifts Christmas Eve. A very special moment was when Grandma Carol and Papa Gary gave the girls "wells" for children in countries without clean drinking water. Jolee didn't quite "get it." But Brynn did, and she said the next day that she thought about those children each time she turned on the water. Kindness.
6. We were able to talk to and see Alan's brother Scott on the computer Christmas morning. He was able to "join" us for the girls opening their stockings. Goodness.
7. It snowed here Christmas Day. It was beautiful and it was if God was saying "Bless You My Children." Both young and old (Alan couldn't resist flying his old helicopter in the snow) enjoyed this picture perfect heavenly treat. God seems to delight in letting us know He cares for us and enjoys our happiness. Faithfulness.
8. Jolee is still firmly entrenched in the belief of Santa. As she sat wondering aloud about how could Santa have gotten all the way into their bedroom and set up the new reading area furniture...she said, "Santa is amazing, kind of like God." To which Brynn lovingly reminded her. "But God is much better than Santa. He saved us from our sins." Gentleness.
9. Dear God, I'm really counting on you to help me not eat too many more cookies and pieces of fudge. Self-Control.
- Michelle's blog
- Login or register to post comments
Christmas Reflections
I got a slow start on Christmas preparations this year, because of a lingering cold which sapped my energy and my ability to think, plan or take action. What a wonderful God we have. During the weeks that I wasn't able to function at my normal pace, He helped me to appreciate the quiet moments at home. While I didn't have the strength to do what I normally do, He strengthed my desire to immerse myself in His Word. It seems that no matter what passage I turned to, the message was the same: Love Everyone. That's a tough one, but praise God, I don't have to do that on my own. God assures us that He will provide the strength we need for doing His will.
(Habakkuk 3:19) GOD, the Lord, is my strength;
(1 Peter 4:11)Whoever speaks must do so as one speaking the very words of God; whoever serves must do so with the strength that God supplies, so that God may be glorified in all things through Jesus Christ.
(Psalm 28:7) The LORD is my strength and my shield; in him my heart trusts;
(Philippians 4:13) I can do all things through him who strengthens me.
One thing I did get to do was to accompany Brynn to Friendsview Manor while she delivered the almost 30 Christmas Cards she had made. As we were going from the car into Friendsview Manor, I wondered what inspired my 10 year old granddaughter to make Christmas Cards (which she had marked on the back of each one as having been made with love) to give to elderly people she may not even know. So I asked her, and she quickly replied, "I was bored one day, so I thought it was something I could do." What an awesome response - so transparent, so real, so unpretentious, yet so amazing that in her boredom, she sought to bring joy to others.
Thank you Michelle, for encouraging us to reflect on Christ's presence with us this Christmas season.