Laced With Grace

“I will extol Thee, my God, O King; And I will bless Thy name forever and ever.  Everyday I will bless Thee, and I will praise Thy name forever and ever.  Great is the LORD, and highly to be praised; and His greatness is unsearchable.  One generation shall praise Thy works to another, and shall declare Thy mighty acts.  On the glorious splendor of Thy majesty, and on Thy wonderful works, I will meditate.”  Psalm 145:1-5

When do you take down your Christmas tree and decorations?  For many, it all comes down this week.  We pack them all up and we put Christmas back in the box.

I don’t like packing Christmas away for another year.  But I also don’t like keeping Jesus as a baby and in a box.

Yes, there is something simple about the birth of Jesus. We think of this story and it somehow feels safe and warm. Visualizing Him as helpless and small makes Him easy to be controlled.  I don’t need to deal with His majesty and power.

Jesus doesn’t want to remain a baby in our lives, nor does He want to be put into a box.  He grew up and delights in being the God we can trust and follow through every circumstance of our lives.  He came to be our Savior and He desires for all of us to see His majesty and awesome power, to fall to our knees and worship Him as our Lord.

Each year I like to keep one Christmas decoration or ornament out of the box and place it somewhere where I least expect it as a reminder to myself to not put Jesus in a box. But to see Him for Who He truly is, our Savior and Lord.

Prayer:

Lord, I love the presents and the lights and I’m not looking forward to taking it all down, but I’m most grateful for You sending Your Son as Light of the World.  The decorations gently reminded me I don’t have to be all decked out in beautiful array to come before You; You are more concerned with what’s inside.

I don’t ever want to put You into a box.  I pause right now and recognize you as my grown-up Lord and Savior, out of the feeding box and on the throne of my heart.  Please help me to always keep You there.  My I continually mediate upon Your glorious splendor and wonderful works.  In Jesus Name, Amen.

Visit Marsha @ Marsha’s Musings.

One of my all time favorite Christmas songs is “Mary, did you know?” Every time I hear that song, it just tugs at this mothers heart. Have you ever considered what that question is asking?

I don’t know about you, but each and every time I gave birth (4x) – my heart was filled with so much love, excitement and anticipation of what the next 18+ years would hold for me and for the child that was just entrusted to me. What an awesome responsibility motherhood brings.

Many times I have wondered what joys, disappointments and challenges would come to my children as they grew up. I always prayed and envisioned my kids to become strong, dependent and successful. But nothing was more important to me than to know that my children were walking in Gods will and making an impact in their world for the cause of Christ.

Considering how my mothers heart has leaped for my children’s triumphs in life, I have often wondered what it must have been like for Mary. Knowing ahead of time that she would be the mother of not just an ordinary baby, but a savior.

Did Mary know the suffering that lay ahead for her baby?

LUKE 2:11 ” For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, Who is Christ the Lord.”

• Did Mary know that her baby would be King of Kings?
• Did Mary know that her baby was sent to save the world?
• Did Mary know that her baby would suffer and die?
• Did Mary know that her baby would impact her world and the world of many for years to come?

I wonder … just how much DID Mary know?

Have a very Merry Christmas and a blessed New Year!

You can visit me daily over at my personal blog: Women Taking a Stand

Words escape me this morning as I think about the upcoming celebration of Christmas, the birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus. No words can adequately describe the joy I feel. Jesus has taken my darkness and brought me into His everlasting light. Without Him, I am nothing.

When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “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(NIV).

Night comes earlier this time of year. I prefer the bright and long days of summer. However, the Christmas lights throughout the city serve as a sweet reminder of God’s greatest gift to the world.

God’s love in the flesh, Jesus. Sweet Jesus!

Our everlasting light…

Come, Jesus, shine Your light in our hearts today. We need You. Your love changes everything. Nothing or no one compares to Your great love. Thank You, thank You. Thank You for choosing love.
**********

Merry CHRISTmas!

Love,

Tiffany at Tea with Tiffany