JOY

Christmas Gifts

     Through the years I have received many wonderful gifts. As a child Santa left me a really cool Barbie RV. I really enjoyed taking Barbie, Ken and Skipper on imaginative camping trips. In third grade Santa brought me a red and white flowered bedspread. In fifth grade my Dad got me my first 10 speed bike (a big step up from the purple banana seat one I had). My Dad has shared with me the story of how one year he went to every store, both near and far, to find the highly- in-demand, pop- up tree house play set I had asked for.  I know what this frantic search for the perfect gift feels like. One year I wanted to get my son the Little Tykes climbing structure for Christmas. I checked with all the stores around and finally located one quite a distance from home. I drove there to pick it up, full of satisfaction at a mission accomplished. All of these gifts are a wonderful symbol of the love and thought behind them.

     Today I received a different kind of gift. It is the gift of peace and joy that come as I step out of myself and look to the needs of someone I don't even know. Today at church there was a guest speaker who shared about the extreme hardships all around the world. From what I see, these hardships begin even in our own neighborhoods. As I got in my car after service, I took some money out of my wallet with the intention of giving it away. I knew God would place someone in my path that could really use it. I went to a nearby coffee shop to get myself a treat. As I was exiting the parking lot I saw a man standing at the exit. I had seen him there before. I had also seen him at church before.  As I was approaching him, I rolled down my window. He came toward the car as he saw me leaning over to talk to him. As I handed him the money, I said, “Hello sir, I’d like to buy you lunch today”. He was so gracious as he thanked me. We introduced ourselves. He asked me if I was a spiritual person. Remembering that I had seen him at church I told him yes, that I was a Christian. I let him know that I had seen him at Calvary. He told me that he usually sits outside of the sanctuary and watches it from the T.V. screens because he knows that it makes some people uncomfortable to see him inside. He knows they judge him and think he must be a boozer. He doesn’t blame them, but it is not the truth. He used to work on Wall Street, but something happened and now he is on the streets asking for help. He commented on how much he enjoys the teachings at Calvary. He said it really helps him dive deeper in his understanding of scripture. He referenced the teaching on Joseph, which was today’s teaching. So I knew he had just come from church.  He told me he grew up a Jewish boy and had become a Christian. As a boy he moved here from Europe. It was because of the Boy Scouts that he accepted Jesus. God had also placed Christian women in his life to lead him on the path to Jesus. God places people and circumstances in our lives to guide us to Him. He said he knows God has a purpose for everything and he had asked God why he was standing here on the corner. God told him it was to learn humility. He said God had a reason for me stopping that day; to help him out, but mostly just to talk to him. I told him it was also so he would recognize a friendly face at church. He has a girlfriend who is dealing with some health issues. She is not a believer, but he is hoping. He knows God is the one to change her. I told him that his job is to pray and that God will handle the inside job. I told him I will be praying for her as well. I was pulled over to the side of the lane, out of the way of traffic with plenty of room for people to go around me. One man though, must have thought we were still in his way. He gave a little honk. I leaned out my window and gestured for him to go around. I was in the middle of a conversation with a wonderful person. I look forward to seeing him again. God calls us to go out of our comfort zone and bless each other; which usually results in our own blessing. So that was the wonderful gift I received today. It is not for us to judge, only to love; in Jesus’ name.

Mark 9:41

 I tell you the truth, anyone who gives you a cup of water in my name because you belong to Christ will certainly not lose his reward.

Christmas JOYS

            I love all things Christmas!!! The season brings joy everywhere I turn (except in the long lines and parking lot). I love watching all the old Christmas shows. Last night we watched Rudolph, my favorite one of all. I remember when the abominable snowman used to scare me; and I have always felt bad for Rudolph and Hermie the elf/ dentist. Charlie Brown is also a favorite of mine. I can even dance like one of the kids in the pageant. Tonight another favorite of mine is on, Frosty the Snowman. My boys will be out at a football game so I will have to record it to watch this weekend.  My favorite, more contemporary Christmas show is Elf. I love Buddy the elf’s child-like excitement and honesty. I love the way he pours maple syrup on everything and the way he runs through the rotating department store doors.  This may sound strange, but I still get excited when I see Santa.  I love seeing the lights on all the houses, having the scent of a pine tree in my home, getting out all of our favorite decorations, the yummy treats that fill our tummies, listening to Christmas carols and dancing around the house. I love the pretty packages under the tree. There is an amazing sense of wonder that comes with the Christmas season.

            Years ago my grandparents would open a seasonal a Christmas store. It was named “Christmas JOYS”. MY grandma told me that it stood for Jesus, Others, Your Self. That is the true Spirit of Christmas and our priorities of the season should be in that order. One year I had the blessing of working in the store with my grandparents. It was so fun to be surrounded by Christmas at work each day and working alongside two of the most important people to me. They lead me to Jesus when I was about 12 years old.  The love of Christmas runs in my family.

         Of course, my favorite part of Christmas is Jesus. For, He is the true meaning of Christmas.

           When I was in third grade I was the narrator in the church Christmas play. I was given the privilege of reading one of the best passages in all of scripture, the one proclaiming Jesus’ birth.

Jesus’ Birth

Luke 2:1-21, ¹ In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. ² (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) ³ And everyone went to his own town to register.

⁴ So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. ⁵ He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. ⁶ While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, ⁷ and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

The Shepherds and the Angels

⁸ And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. ⁹ An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. ¹⁰ But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. ¹¹ Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ  the Lord. ¹² This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” ¹³ Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,

¹⁴ “Glory to God in the highest,
and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.”
¹⁵ When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”
¹⁶ So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. ¹⁷ When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, ¹⁸ and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. ¹⁹ But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. ²⁰ The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.

   Every time I read or hear this passage read it brings tears of joy and gratitude to my eyes. This joy is a gift that is available “to all the people”.

Knowing that God loves me (and you) so much that He sent His Son to be our Savior fills my heart with a joy that lasts all year long!

Celebrate the CHRIST in Christmas, now and all year long!

 

Thanksgiving Celebration

       Thanksgiving is a wonderful time for reflection and gratitude for all that God has blessed us with over the past year. There is so much to be truly grateful for in each and every day. But, this is a special day set aside for gratitude. What an awesome occasion to come together with family and friends… just to be thankful!

      This year for Thanksgiving we traveled up north to stay at my Mom and Stepdad’s for the weekend. They live in a cute little town, with beautiful wineries all around; there is a quaint town square park that is lined with fun shops. Their home is on the outskirts of town, with a very small lake in the backyard. So it feels like we do drive “over the river and through the woods, to Grandmother’s house”.

       Thanksgiving dinner was held at my Aunt and Uncle’s home nearby. We drove straight there and arrived about an hour before dinner time. We were greeted with lots of hugs and kisses from Grandpa, my Aunt, my Uncle, cousins, babies, parents, my Sister and friends too. Everyone was hanging around the kitchen visiting and snacking on yummy appetizers.  As dinner time approached many of us jumped in to help out. My job was the gravy; making sure it was lump free and had the right amount of flavor. Saltiness is key- not too much, not too little. As I stood at the stove whisking I could hear the bustling going on behind me. My Aunt commented on how wonderful it is when everyone pitches in and how the work load is so much lighter. She actually told me this would be a good story for my blog. So here it is. Working together is so much fun as it joins us together in our tasks. Another benefit is that the food is all done at once so everything is hot! And no one is stressed.

Ecclesiastes 4:9,  Two are better than one,
because they have a good return for their labor.

My aunt had asked me to say “Grace”, which I felt greatly honored to do.  We all gathered together with our heads bowed and hearts humbly grateful as we asked God to bless our food and our time together.  Then the feasting began.

      After dinner we continued our visiting. Some of us played games; some watched football on the couch, some of the kids went downstairs to watch Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. One of my cousins (a fun 18 year old) had the idea for all of us to make a family music video. She made a list grouping us together in pairs of who we wanted to dance and lip sync with.  She then called us down a pair at a time to the craft room where she had her computer set up to record us. My husband was my partner for the performance. Over the weekend we actually made two videos. My cousin is very talented at editing and mixing it all. We all had a good laugh watching the final productions. Even my Grandpa got “Jiggie with it”. He is a really good dancer.

       Nothing beats getting together to celebrate with family and good friends. Our time together gives us even more to be thankful for.

Ecclesiastes 3:13, That everyone may eat and drink, and find satisfaction in all his toil—this is the gift of God.