It’s beginning to look a lot like CHRISTmas….
“These are a few of my favorite things:”
- The cooler weather
- The fragrant wreaths and trees (even if your husband is allergic to live ones)
- The fashion…sweaters, boots, scarves
- the holiday music
- The “Christmas with Southern Living” book arriving in the mail box
- Baking Christmas cookies and other goodies
- Decorating the tree
- Packages on the front porch
- Beautifully wrapped presents…giving and receiving
- Driving around and looking at the lights
- Hallmark movies
- Sitting on the couch with only the tree lights to see by
- visits from our Elves
- Seeing out-of-town family and friends
- Pictures with Santa at the mall
- “White Elephant” parties
- Making gingerbread houses
- New PJs on Christmas Eve
- Setting up the Nativity scene
- Putting money in the Salvation Army bucket
- Stocking stuffers
- Doing crafts I found on Pinterest
- Receiving cards in the mail instead of just bills
- Placing items in the Toys For Tots bins
- Leaving cookies and milk for Santa
- Eggnog…spiked or plain, hot chocolate and hot apple cider
- filling shoe boxes for Operation Christmas Child/Samaritan’s Purse
- Candle-lit church service on Christmas Eve
- Reading Christmas books before bedtime each night
- Advent wreathes
- English crackers at the dinner table
- Count-down calendars with chocolate behind the perforated “doors”
- Singing “Happy Birthday” to Jesus on Christmas morning
I LOVE IT ALL!!! I am probably even overlooking some of my favorite seasonal festivities. But do I anticipate the REASON behind this flurry of activity or just all the ACTIVITY!?!?
For about 6 weeks or so…from the week before Thanksgiving until a few days after the New Year….I am in a GREAT mood….I am jovial, excited, generous…I am looking forward to what lies ahead!!! But what about the other 46 weeks of the year?? I am a Christian every single day of the year..not just during those 6 weeks of holiday prep and celebration. Rain or shine…good mood or bad mood…sick or healthy…JESUS’ birth, death & resurrection and future coming are ALL cause for great rejoicing-I should have an attitude of Thanksgiving and reverence on a daily basis! I love Jesus, so why is this so hard to achieve?! Because we live in a fallen world…“for as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive.”-1 Corinthians 15:22…and we are surrounded by sinners that live by their flesh, their desires and their selfishness…pretty simple answer really.
Jesus was born in a simple shelter on a quiet evening…maybe a few animal bleats and neighs…with no frills or fanfare….Luke 2:7b..”She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger.” He is worthy of our praise and adoration and worship…in it’s simplest form…from our hearts…with arms wide open…not greedily grabbing at earthly riches….but striving for Heavenly treasure that “moth and rust cannot destroy” -Matthew 6:19 Heavenly treasure….NOT shiny wrapped packages. John 10:10 says, “I have come that they may have life , and have it to the full.” Jesus says, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” -John 8:12. Christmas lights are beautiful, but we have the brightest light there is…JESUS THE CHRIST!! May you walk in His light forevermore!
Passions, Pitfalls and Plenty of Prayer 
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