THE WEEK BEFORE CHRISTMAS

"The night before Christmas and all through the house not a creature is stirring not even a mouse."

Yeah, right!  Who in the world wrote this?  The night before Christmas, Dad is putting toys together, Mom is cooking, wrapping, cleaning and stressing! The week before Christmas the traffic is insane, the stores are packed and everyone is stressed over what they have left on their 'to do' list.

  

I hear everyone around me discussing all they have left to do and all they will be doing this weekend.  How many places they have to go on Christmas Day, how many gifts they have to take and how much food they will eat.  Oh and this year, how they are going to find time to go to Church, since of all things, Christmas is on Sunday!!

Where and when did we lose it?  The Christ in Christmas.  When did it turn into XMAS?  Xtra busy, Xtra crazy. Xtra loud, Xtra,  Xtra, Xtra! 

Baby Jesus got lost in the wrapping paper, the cookie dough, the shopping, the lights and the decorations. 

As I stand in the midst of the whirlwind it makes me even more thankful that my family celebrates Thanksgiving for Christmas.  I am truly enjoying the season, and spending time reflecting on the past year, my relationship with Jesus and what I want next year;  a closer walk, more time spent with Him, less of the world and more of the Word. 

Remember the real reason for the season, Jesus Christ was born, God came to earth wrapped in flesh, Immanuel, God with us. He came upon a midnight clear on a silent night in a manger, no hustle no bustle, just a few shepherds, some animals and young parents who believed.

Have a blessed Christmas

"This will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger And suddenly there appeared with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased" Luke 2:12-14

MY CHRISTMAS LIST OF BLESSINGS

I received this Christmas Card from a very dear friend today.  Although she did not write it, she said "it's certainly what I feel".  I feel the same way about all of you, my sweet friends, so I thought this would be a good opportunity to let you know.

My Christmas List is more than just a way to keep track of 

The special people God has brought into my life to love.

It's like a treasured scrapbook filed with pleasant memories

Of all the times God has answered prayer through friends and family 

Every name's a touchstone that leads to a place and time,

Where God has used another's heart to reach out and touch mine.

It may have happened years ago or even yesterday,

But every person on my list has changed my life some way.

through simple conversation, a warm hug or a shared meal,

Every person on my list has helped me grow or heal, 

Or laugh or love or learn or smile....the blessings never end.

As God allows our paths to cross as family and friends.

So please know that this greeting is more than a Christmas wish.

It's a "thank you" card to God for putting on my list

Each and every one whose name I've come to hold so dear...

those who've shown me Christmas joy each day of the year.

This reminded me to do something I did a couple of years ago.  I saved all the Christmas cards we received, put them in a basket beside my favorite chair.  Each morning during my quiet time, I took out a card and prayed for that person or family.  Sometimes I knew of specific needs, other times I just prayed for God's hand of protection and mighty love to cover them.  

During this busy season of Advent, continue to take time in quiet prayer for your family and friends.

"you also joining in helping us through your prayers, so that thanks may be given by many persons on our behalf for the favor bestowed on us through the prayers of many." 

2 Corinthians 1:11

FIRST CHRISTMAS

FIRST CHRISTMAS........

Santa seemed so real

Santa didn't seem so real

In a new house

With a new spouse

Without a spouse

In a new job

Without a job

In a new town

Out of town

With Cancer

Cancer free

Without a parent

Without a grandparent

As a grandparent

With a new baby

Waiting for a baby

Deployed

Home alone

After divorce

After the death of a loved one

Reunited with a loved one

With Jesus in our heart

Some of our First Christmas's are filled with happiness.  Some are filled with sadness.  All should be filled with joy. Joy that our God loved us so much that He came to earth as a tiny baby to grow and live among us. Immanuel. Joy that despite or in spite of our circumstances God loves us unconditionally, cares for us, and treasures us.   We are God's treasure, His child, His precious one. 

This Advent Season let us focus on the true First Christmas. 

"For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given; and the government shall be upon His shoulder; and His name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace" Isaiah 9:6

2011 ADVENT CANDLE

Each year at Thanksgiving for Christmas we light the Advent Candle, all four candles.  We each have verses to read and each family lights a candle. Even the little ones have verses they have memorized to share.

This year our verses were about giving thanks.

"Oh give thanks to the LORD, call upon His name; make known His deeds among the peoples.  Sing to Him, sing praises to Him; speak of all His wonders. Glory in His holy name; let the heart of those who seek the LORD be glad." 1 Chronicles 16:8-10

We give thanks to the LORD that the angel Gabriel was obedient to God's instructions.

Luke 1:26-37

We give thanks to the LORD that Mary humbled herself before the LORD

Luke 1:38-42;46-50

We give thanks to the LORD that Joseph listened to the angel and took Mary as his wife.

Matthew 1:16-24

We give thanks to the LORD that Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be take fulfilling the prophecy

Micah 5:2 and Luke 2:4-7

We give thanks to the LORD for Immanuel God with us

Isaiah 9:6-7

We give thanks to the LORD that the Shepherds were not afraid and found the baby Jesus in the manger

Luke 2:8-16, 20

We give thanks that the Magi were full of wisdom and did not go back to Herod

Matthew 2:1-2, 7-12

We give thanks that God sent His son, Jesus to earth to live among us.

John 1:1-5, 14

In the hustle and bustle of the season let us not forget to always give thanks to the LORD.

THANKSGIVING FOR CHRISTMAS

If you follow my status on Facebook you are probably wondering why I am decorating for Christmas when it isn't even Thanksgiving.  You're probably thinking "does she have Thanksgiving Dinner in the midst of her Christmas decorations?"  Well sort of.

Several years ago Christmas Day became more of a source of frustration than a celebration.  With two grown children and a family forest, it seemed we were spending Christmas Eve and Christmas Day (and several days prior to and following) running from house to house spending a few minutes in each place saying MERRY CHRISTMAS!  We were exhausted and not enjoying the holidays, certainly not focusing on Jesus, the real reason for the season.

I read an article in the Focus on the Family Magazine written by a mom in my same situation.  She had found a solution for her family.  Thanksgiving for Christmas.  After reading the article I called a family conference and we all agreed to reserve the Friday after Thanksgiving every year for our family celebration of Christmas.  This will be our sixth year.

I take off work the week of Thanksgiving and begin decorating, wrapping (shopping is done) and cooking. We spend Thanksgiving Day with our respective in-laws, cheer for the Aggies wherever we are and eat lots of turkey. 

Everyone is at our house Friday morning for breakfast. Gifts are exchanged, family pictures taken and we light the Advent Candle. (the Sunday following will be the first Sunday of Advent).  This is a very special family time to reflect on the birth of our Savior and what the Christmas season is all about.  Each of us have a verse to read and this year our grandaughters are memorizing a verse to share. 

I serve Mexican food for lunch.  Afterwards we watch football, take naps on the couch and play games.  It's such a fun day of fellowship and relaxation.  It's my favorite day of the year!

Now you ask, what do you do on Christmas Day?  The first year was a little weird, but now we just play it be ear.  We sleep in, drop in on friends, have lunch with Jeff's family, and visit our San Antonio grand kids in the afternoon to see what Santa brought.  This year Christmas falls on Sunday so we will be in Church. It's a quiet day and we can truly reflect on Jesus birth and the Reason for the Season.

I love Thanksgiving for Christmas!

THE POWER OF GRANDMAS PRAYERS

A devotion by Fern Nichols from "The Grandmothers Bible" 

It was an intense, desperate prayer meeting as we grandmas cried out to the LORD in response to a friend's prayer request.  Her pregnant daughter was carrying a son who had a fatal defect and would not live to full term. "O LORD", we prayed, "please grant Your peace to this precious couple, peace that passes understanding. Help them to trust You. Let them know that You have a plan and that everything You do is to bring You glory."

Week after week we prayed. Later we received a letter the couple wrote to family and friends:

      At the time we found out, the pain was insurmountable. Although we knew we would get through it, we did not know how.  What we did know was that God had control of this little life.

      God delivered Dominic, two months shy of his due date.  the moment he was born, the nurse gave him to me.  I was overcome with intense sorrow.  Then something unexplainable happened.  After a couple minutes of weeping, I opened my eyes and saw how wonderful this child was.  I saw his beautiful hands, his blue eyes and his little tongue. I had never seen anything so precious in all my life.

     We do not think of our experience as the result of our fallen world, a mistake or even a regret.  When we saw how much Dominic looked like his earthly father, we were reminded of how we are made in the image of our heavenly Father.  Nothing God creates is bad or a mistake.  Our son was and is perfect, and God's plan of this life was fulfilled.

God answered the prayers of a praying group of grandmothers - exceedingly , abundantly above and beyond what we could have even imagined!

Heavenly Father, I pray for the grandmothers who are carrying heavy burdens for their children and grandchildren.  Help them know that the power of prayer is multiplied when we pray with others in the name of Jesus.

SHE'S IN HEAVEN

Happy Birthday, Jackie!   

You would have been 60 years old today, but the Lord chose to take you home seven years ago.  I still miss you terribly.  We grew up together and we talked about growing old together.  The Lord had other plans, I’m growing old and you are celebrating in Heaven.  :)

Someday we will be celebrating again together, laughing and sharing stories, singing and dancing.  Maybe I’ll even be better at tennis and you won’t beat me every match.

I have asked the question why
But I guess the answer's for another time
So instead I'll pray with every tear
And be thankful for the time I had you here
And I wanna live my life just like you did
Make the most of my time just like you did
And I wanna make my home up in the sky
Just like you did
Oh, but until I get there
Until I get there

 Save a place for me

Save some grace for me

I'll be there real soon

Matthew West from the album  Something To Say

 http://www.vevo.com/watch/matthew-west/save-a-place-for-me/US82Y1000013

 

11.11.11

"Praise the LORD! I will give thanks to the LORD with all my heart, in the company of the upright and in the assembly." Psalm 111:1

Today I give thanks to You LORD with all my heart for all the men and women who have served and are serving in the Armed Forces of our great United States of America.  They have sacrificed so much for our freedom. I give thanks for their families who have persevered through long months of separation and many anxious moments.  I pray for the LORD'S blessing on the children of those deployed who not only miss their parent beyond measure but also worry every day for their safety.  LORD I pray you would comfort those families, give them peace in knowing that You are God and there is no other, You are God and there is none like You.  I pray for those in harms way that they would be strong and courageous, would not tremble or be dismayed, trusting that You, the creator of the universe, are with them wherever they go. I pray LORD that you would continue to bless and keep these United States in the palm of your hand. In the mighty name of Jesus, my LORD and Savior, Amen.