Waiting…..
With only three more days until Christmas Eve, my thoughts go to Mary. The couple was on their way to Bethlehem….three days away. Was she nervous? Did she wonder if she would make it? Did she fret about the birth? Was the journey hard…uncomfortable….treacherous….emotionally and physically painful? I couldn’t imagine riding on a donkey being nine months pregnant.
With Christmas Eve only three days away, I think about my own “worries”. Should I still attempt to send out Christmas cards? Do I have the “perfect” gifts? Will I have time to wrap? Should I still try to make cookies? Oh, we haven’t made our gingerbread houses yet…..
As Mary contemplated giving birth to the Savior of the world, the Messiah, do we fret over silly things at Christmas? Have we become distracted by the details, instead of focusing on the Christ child?
This Christmas is very different for me. I am remembering (and missing) my father-in-law who went home to be with the Lord last month…
And, while I am so sad, I have reason to rejoice. I remember what the true meaning of Christmas is…
The “true” meaning of Christmas is not the pretty paper, the lights, the Christmas cards, the presents… The true meaning of Christmas is Jesus Christ. Jesus, the Son of God, choose to come to earth as a humble babe in a manager. He knew He would grow into a man to become sin, to die on the cross, to be our Savior, our Redeemer, our Messiah. He came to earth to fulfill the promise of everlasting life. He offers us hope, peace, love, and joy.
I pray this Christmas you will take a few moments to experience His love. I pray that you will ponder what Christmas means to you and your family. Remember that Christmas is the gift of eternal life.
“Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights…” James 1:17
Merry Christmas!
Please stop by my personal blog, Thirsty for Him.
Sorry for the loss of your dear friend. But, praise God, she is celebrating Christmas with Jesus.
I’m so sorry for the loss of your dear friend, but praising God with you that she is completely whole now. Great devotion, Tracy! Thanks so much for sharing.
Tracy, thanks for sharing with us today. I am sorrowful for your friends family but rejoice that she is having the best Christmas ever – in the presence of our Lord! Merry Christmas! -Laurie
Thank you for sharing this. I like the verse you ended with. My prayers are with the family at this time of loss.
I’m so sorry to hear about Jamie! I’m not sorry for her because I know she’s celebrating Jesus today. I’m sorry for those she’s left behind, especially her precious babies and hubby. They are all in my prayers.
I am so sorry for the loss of such a special person. It is because of that little baby whose birth we celebrate that you can rejoice in the midst of such sorrow.
Oh, Tracy, I am so sorry to hear of the home-going of such a young wife and mother. But like you said, she will be celebrating Christmas with our Lord and Savior.
Yes, I think we sometimes get all caught up with all the preparation that we forget the true meaning of Christmas.
So sorry for your loss this year. Yes, we should focus on the real reason for the season. Our Savior. Amen.
So sorry for your loss Tracy. I’m Praying for you.
Thank you for sharing