Good Morning from Arizona!
I hope you all have a wonderful day celebrating our Savior’s birth!
If today finds you in a place of heartache remember that he came to heal the brokenhearted. His life on earth was prefaced with the words “Peace on earth, good will to men”.
God will embrace you with His love as you draw close to Him!
“For God so loved the world – He gave His Son”
Merry Christmas!
I know this might sound really strange, especially to those of you who have young children or grandchildren, but I’ve only seen the movie Frozen once. Yes, just once.
However, the words to one of the songs from that movie have made an impact on me.
“Do you want to build a snowman?
Come on, let’s go and play!
I never see you anymore
Come out the door
It’s like you’ve gone away
We used to be best buddies
And now we’re not
I wish you would tell me why!
Do you want to build a snowman?
It doesn’t have to be a snowman
Ok, bye.”
We need to be aware of people who are hurting. For whatever reason the holidays seem to accentuate feelings of loneliness. I know, I’ve been there. But there’s really only one answer to a lonely heart.
It’s not a good therapist, it’s not a new love, it’s not change of scenery or job, or a puppy or food or alcohol. It’s not even building a snowman. It’s finding personal relationship with the One who loves you unconditionally.
“Praise the Lord because he is good. Sing praises to our God. It is good and pleasant to praise him…3 He heals their broken hearts and bandages their wounds.” Psalm 147: 1 & 3 ERV
Jesus is here to provide the comfort and consolation we so desperately need.
“If you are tired from carrying heavy burdens, come to me and I will give you rest. 29 Take the yoke I give you. Put it on your shoulders and learn from me. I am gentle and humble, and you will find rest. 30 This yoke is easy to bear, and this burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30 CEV
Sometimes hurting people hide behind big smiles and laughter, some hide behind rude and obnoxious behavior and others just hide.
I’m asking you today to look for hurting people – ask them to come build a snowman…or share a cup of coffee, a cinnamon roll…share your time, your love, your forgiveness and compassion.
By so doing you will have shared Jesus and He is the one who heals the broken hearted!
“‘When I was hungry, you gave me something to eat, and when I was thirsty, you gave me something to drink. When I was a stranger, you welcomed me, 36 and when I was naked, you gave me clothes to wear. When I was sick, you took care of me, and when I was in jail, you visited me.’
37 Then the ones who pleased the Lord will ask, ‘When did we give you something to eat or drink?…
40 The king will answer, ‘Whenever you did it for any of my people, no matter how unimportant they seemed, you did it for me.'” Matthew 25:35-40 CEV
Do you want to build a snowman? It’s a good way to build relationships.
I get great joy sharing with you each morning. There really is nothing I love more than telling you about the Father’s amazing love and the wonderful sacrifice that Jesus made for each one of us so we can be completely reconciled, made right, with God.
When I was a little girl, I got lost.
I was probably 6 or 7. My dad had taken me to the grocery store with him. We had been walking up and down the aisles when I was distracted by something on one of the shelves. I didn’t notice but my dad kept walking. When I looked up, he was gone.
I went from row to row trying to find him, but I didn’t see him anywhere. I even went to the front door of the store to see if our car was still in the parking lot and it was. I went to the register and with tears rolling down my cheeks, I told the cashier I couldn’t find my dad. She picked up the intercom and said, “Kristi’s dad is lost. Would he come to the register so she can find him.”
In just moments, dad appeared and all was well. I still remember the smile on his face and the way he wrapped his arms around me in a bear hug.
I know our heavenly Father experiences great joy when we are found.
“ Dishonest tax collectors and other notorious sinners often came to listen to Jesus’ sermons; 2 but this caused complaints from the Jewish religious leaders and the experts on Jewish law because he was associating with such despicable people—even eating with them!
3-4 So Jesus used this illustration: ‘If you had a hundred sheep and one of them strayed away and was lost in the wilderness, wouldn’t you leave the ninety-nine others to go and search for the lost one until you found it? 5 And then you would joyfully carry it home on your shoulders. 6 When you arrived you would call together your friends and neighbors to rejoice with you because your lost sheep was found. 7 ‘Well, in the same way heaven will be happier over one lost sinner who returns to God than over ninety-nine others who haven’t strayed away!'” Luke 15:1-7 TLB
“The Son of Man came to find lost people and save them.” Luke 19:10 ERV
“ But God showed how much he loved us by having Christ die for us, even though we were sinful. 9 But there is more! … 10 Even when we were God’s enemies, he made peace with us, because his Son died for us. Yet something even greater than friendship is ours. Now that we are at peace with God, we will be saved by the life of his Son.” Romans 5:8-10 CEV
We were all lost and Jesus went searching for us. He found us, picked us up, carried us home in His loving arms, presented us to His Father and then had a party!
We are invaluable to Christ. So priceless that He willing died to save us!
One of the gifts of Christmas is the lost becoming found and finding peace with God! It’s a gift that needs to be shared.
“The virgin will be pregnant and will give birth to a son. They will name him Immanuel.”(Immanuel means “God with us.”) Matthew 1:23
” But the Lord will still give you proof. A virgin is pregnant; she will have a son and will name him Immanuel.” Isaiah 7:14 CEV
God with us – in the car going to work; in the kitchen baking cookies; helping our kids with their homework; Christmas shopping; sitting beside the bed of a sick friend; sitting alone looking at the checkbook and the bills that need to be paid.
God with us – His purpose in coming was to be “with us”. In fact, Hebrews 13:5 tells us that He will NEVER leave us or forsake us.
We are also told that He promises to provide all our needs, heals all our diseases and forgives all our sins. Psalm 103
He always causes us to triumph in Christ Jesus. II Corinthians 2:14
Can’t say that’s the way it’s always been in my life but I can say that when I realized that “God with us” it has certainly changed the outcome for the better – the best.
When we focus on all “we” have to do and how it’s “All” up to us, we become self absorbed. We make a very small package. But when we realize, truly realize, that God’s purpose is to “Be with us”, when we unwrap the present of His presence in our daily lives our world changes dramatically.
” What can we say about all this? If God is on our side, can anyone be against us? 32 God did not keep back his own Son, but he gave him for us. If God did this, won’t he freely give us everything else?” Romans 8:31-32 CEV
“Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.” Psalm 16:11
God’s present to us is His presence today. It fills us with joy!
We used to live near the artisan community of Tubac, AZ. Dave and I loved shopping there – so many beautiful handcrafted items – silver, copper, terracotta and talevera pieces.
One shop we frequented had lovely nativity sets. My favorite.
Most of my decorating at Christmas is done with nativity sets and angels. I would study each figure in the set; their smiling faces, their clothing, the shape of the stall and then I realized there was no baby Jesus! Where did He go? What happened to Him?
In this shop all the Christ child figures were missing. And then I saw the handwritten sign…If you buy a nativity, ask for Jesus.
Ask for Jesus!
Wasn’t that the Father’s intent from the beginning? He wanted us to recognize that our lives were not complete without Jesus.
Ask for Jesus?
When I asked the shop owner why there were no baby Jesus figures he told me this. We never have any problem with theft in this shop except for the baby Jesus. We keep Him in the back until a nativity is sold and then bring Him out and add Him with the rest of the pieces.
Who would steal the baby Jesus? That is completely counter to the reason He came. When Jesus was born, the angels filled the heavens with the announcement. The shepherds were told to go find Him. The wise men saw and followed His star. Everyone was welcome to come see Jesus!
Jesus came to forgive the sins of all men, even the ones who would steal the baby Jesus. Jesus wasn’t born in a palace where only a few of the elite would be allowed to enter. He wasn’t born in a monastery where only the religious and the holy would be. No, He was born in a barn; anyone – man, woman, child, elite or poor, educated or unlearned was welcomed at the manger.
“Today your Savior was born in David’s town. He is the Messiah, the Lord. 12 This is how you will know him: You will find a baby wrapped in pieces of cloth and lying in a feeding box.” 13 Then a huge army of angels from heaven joined the first angel, and they were all praising God, saying, 14 “Praise God in heaven, and on earth let there be peace to the people who please him.”
15 The angels left the shepherds and went back to heaven. The shepherds said to each other, ‘Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this great event the Lord has told us about.’ 16 So they went running and found Mary and Joseph. And there was the baby, lying in the feeding box.” Luke 2:11-16 ERV
I want to encourage you to put Jesus on display. Don’t hid him, let the world see that He lives in you. Love the way He did; reach out to everyone the Father brings your way. The sign on our lives should be “if you want Jesus, just ask”.
Merry Christmas to you all!
Twas the morning of Christmas and all through the house, the only creatures stirring are Dave & I.
The coffee is brewed, and my cup is full but not nearly as full as my heart which is overflowing with love and appreciation for each of my family and friends who are reading this non-rhyming message.
A world changing event transpired over 2000 years ago when the sky was filled with an angelic chorus. A baby born affected the whole human race by introducing unconditional love in human flesh to reconcile us to a perfect and merciful God the Father.
Our prayer for you and your families this morning is that you know Him personally and that you have allowed Him to change your life. This is the life He modeled and the life He gives to us.
“Now you are wearing a new life, a life that is new every day. You are growing in your understanding of the one who made you. You are becoming more and more like him. 11 In this new life it doesn’t matter if you are a Greek or a Jew, circumcised or not. It doesn’t matter if you speak a different language or even if you are a Scythian. It doesn’t matter if you are a slave or free. Christ is all that matters, and he is in all of you.
12 God has chosen you and made you his holy people. He loves you. So your new life should be like this: Show mercy to others. Be kind, humble, gentle, and patient. 13 Don’t be angry with each other, but forgive each other. If you feel someone has wronged you, forgive them. Forgive others because the Lord forgave you. 14 Together with these things, the most important part of your new life is to love each other. Love is what holds everything together in perfect unity. 15 Let the peace that Christ gives control your thinking. It is for peace that you were chosen to be together in one body. And always be thankful.” Colossians 3:10-15
I woke up this morning thanking the Lord for coming as a baby, living a perfect sinless life as an example for us, dying in my place for sin and then rising to life again so that I could have new life in Him.
Christ is all that matters, and He lives in us!
“This is what God commands: that we believe in his Son Jesus Christ, and that we love each other as he commanded. 24 All who obey God’s commands live in God. And God lives in them. How do we know that God lives in us? We know because of the Spirit he gave us.” I John 3:23-24 ERV
May we all live a life reflecting Him and His great love!
Be merry for Christ is born!
This past summer it seems that the whole world was sharing a marvelous experience. For nights the sky was filled with the beauty of the aurora borealis.
The pictures of the northern lights saturated social media, local and national news reports and other media outlets. The lights in the summer night sky were gorgeous, awe-inspiring.
Now imagine if when you saw those lights they were accompanied by an angelic choir. Can you place yourself with the shepherds outside of Bethlehem? Sheep resting peacefully on the grassy plain, a warm fire burning and the quiet. Aahhh, the quiet.
“That night in the fields near Bethlehem some shepherds were guarding their sheep. 9 All at once an angel came down to them from the Lord, and the brightness of the Lord’s glory flashed around them. The shepherds were frightened. 10 But the angel said, “Don’t be afraid! I have good news for you, which will make everyone happy. 11 This very day in King David’s hometown a Savior was born for you. He is Christ the Lord. 12 You will know who he is, because you will find him dressed in baby clothes and lying on a bed of hay.”
13 Suddenly many other angels came down from heaven and joined in praising God. They said:
14 “Praise God in heaven! Peace on earth to everyone who pleases God.”
15 After the angels had left and gone back to heaven, the shepherds said to each other, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see what the Lord has told us about.” Luke 2:8-15 CEV
A Savior was born for you!
This story…this miraculous birth is one I have heard and told for many years. Does its familiarity and tradition dull our senses? Do we lose the wonder of that connection between God and man? Have our souls been calloused to the fact that Jesus, Immanuel (God with us) changed the course for all the world?
I hope not.
May our hearts always be stirred, may hope always rise, may faith always increase and may we always be filled with wonder!
Merry Christmas to all.
My oh my this has been a busy week. Four full days of baking and candy making, three days of our son visiting, two Christmas parties and one family night. Every day was a delight!
I’m normally one of the first to get my annual Christmas letter and cards in the mail but not this year. I just finished the Christmas letter yesterday so it will arrive late. I told Dave yesterday that I just needed to sit by the fire last night and relax. Friends dropped over and although our conversation was short, it filled my heart with love and gratitude.
Then the evening ended with us enjoying my favorite Christmas movie, White Christmas, for the 51st time as a married couple. It’s what we do!!
With every activity, every cinnamon roll and banana bread made, I have been grateful for the Father’s wonderful love and our many, many blessings. I’m thankful that He has given us breath for this life and provided us with eternal life to follow.
This morning I am recycling and regifting a writing from years ago. I hope its meaning touches your heart.
I saw a segment on the news about re-gifting and it got me to thinking. Have I ever re-gifted? There have been more times than I would like to admit over the last 50 years that I have certainly been tempted too but to actually do it – yes, I have!
But then I realized that every day I live should be an act of re-gifting. My life is a precious gift from the Father. But even my life is a “re-gift”. Jesus came to give us the gift of life – He gave His life for us.
“I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.” Galatians 2:20 KJV
I want my life to be a re-gifting of what Christ has given me – forgiveness, love, joy, peace. Then I want others to re-gift those same things as many times as they would like.
“And so faith, hope, love abide [faith—conviction and belief respecting man’s relation to God and divine things; hope—joyful and confident expectation of eternal salvation; love—true affection for God and man, growing out of God’s love for and in us], these three; but the greatest of these is love.” I Corinthians 13:13 AMP
Let’s all take the gifts that we have received from the Father and re-gift them to others.
I saw an image similar to the one I’m using this morning on a friend’s FB page yesterday. I had never seen this verse like this before.
“For unto us a child is born, and unto us a Son is given.” The reason the Son came was to forgive!
As I lay in the dark this morning so many thoughts came swirling through my mind.
“In Christ, he chose us before the world was made. He chose us in love to be his holy people—people who could stand before him without any fault. 5 And before the world was made, God decided to make us his own children through Jesus Christ. This was what God wanted, and it pleased him to do it. ” Ephesians 1:4-5 ERV
In Christ we were chosen by God the Father before the world was made! In Christ, we can stand before the Father and He sees us as faultless. We are forgiven.
“And I will forgive the wrongs they have done, and I will not remember their sins.” Hebrews 8:12
“ Because we broke God’s laws, we owed a debt—a debt that listed all the rules we failed to follow. But God forgave us of that debt. He took it away and nailed it to the cross.” Colossians 2:14 ERV
“Christ died for us when we were unable to help ourselves. We were living against God, but at just the right time Christ died for us. 7 Very few people will die to save the life of someone else, even if it is for a good person. Someone might be willing to die for an especially good person. 8 But Christ died for us while we were still sinners, and by this God showed how much he loves us.” Romans 5:6-8 ERV
In God’s eyes I have no past. He has forgotten my failings, my sins. He sees me completely cleansed by the shed blood of Jesus.
“His love for his followers is as high above us as heaven is above the earth. 12 And he has taken our sins as far away from us as the east is from the west. 13 The Lord is as kind to his followers as a father is to his children.” Psalms 103:11-13 ERV
Completely cleansed, forever forgotten.
That’s the message of Christmas. “For unto us a child is born, and unto to us a Son is given.”
We are forgiven and our sins are forgotten because of Christ. His gift to us is forgiveness. I pray you have received it and are sharing this wonderful gift with others.
Have you had those moments when a simple conversation has become a profound lesson?
We had moved back to Arizona from Montana, and we lived close to a small artisans’ community called Tubac. It became my favorite place to shop. We were decorating our home, and I found so many unique pieces there.
For years, I have collected angels and nativities. The shops had a myriad of those two items, but I found one thing very strange. In one particular shop there were nativities from around the world but there were no baby Jesus’.
Then I saw a small handwritten sign. “Please ask for the baby Jesus.” So, I did. I asked Max, the shop keeper, where’s the baby Jesus? He told me they had to keep them under the counter and in the back area of the store because people would steal the baby Jesus.
Steal the baby Jesus! Yes. Who would steal the baby Jesus? I couldn’t imagine that.
“ While they were there in Bethlehem, the time came for Mary to give birth to her baby. 7 Her first son was born. She put cloth around Him and laid Him in a place where cattle are fed. There was no room for them in the place where people stay for the night.” Luke 2:6-7 NLV
I was taken back by the thought of someone stealing Jesus but I shouldn’t have been. Remember, that first Christmas when Jesus was born? There was no room for them except in a stable.
If the Innkeeper had known that Mary was carrying the Messiah would he have evicted one of the other guests and given her a room? But there was nothing about this young expecting couple that set them apart as holy and God-chosen. They were just weary travelers.
No room.
A stolen baby Jesus.
People have been taking Jesus out of the picture for years. He’s been replaced by Santa, stolen from society by the Grinch and an Elf. Yet, He still comes to each heart looking for a place to stay.
“See! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and we will eat together.” Revelation 3:20 NLV
Don’t let Jesus be stolen from your Christmas celebration. May we always have room for Jesus!