Christmas List

I was about to start putting up my Christmas decorations and it's been a crazy kind of day!  The kind of day when in the middle of it all I wonder 'what is the point of today?' and then at lunch a read a post like this.

I go to the gym and inspired by my friend Becky, I start the You Version Rediscovering Christmas Plan.  I started it at the gym (no point in waiting until tomorrow), and I read about an old lady who worshipped God in the temple... she never left (Luke 2:37).  And even though I can't spend all day, every day in the temple, I know that I am the church, and how I long to bring Jesus to others, to my mission field, sometimes it is work, sometimes it is someone's house, Target... wherever God has called me.  I fail so much!  I wish I was so much better at living out His love....

When I got home, I pulled out this one Santa/Reindeer moving thing...  Anyone who tells me that God isn't in Santa & Reindeer just might get a 'what for'... because I see God in that Santa & that silly reindeer.  You see, Phyllis got that when she was in the hospital in 1997.  She was 4, diagnosed with JRA.  December 5, 1997 to be exact.  That was a rough few days... and the days ahead.  I can't even put it into words.  My dad got it for her while she was in hospital. I only left once in the days we were there, to go take a shower.  That was such a long time ago... and in the middle of those days, I don't know how I made it...  And in that time I wondered... what is the point of all this?

That time seems like a lifetime ago.

I think about this Christmas season and why God has given me such a giving heart.  Anyone who knows me knows I'd much rather give than receive.  It's because I know what it is to be in want and in need.  I know what it is to have and have not.  I know.  I know what it's like to have a sick child, and a healthy one.  I know how our lives can change in an instant.  

I also know the love and grace of Jesus Christ, my Lord and Savior.  I know it because I've lived all those things.  Pastor Chilly asked what was on our lists...  Really... nothing.  I don't need anything.  And that makes me so happy, it fills my heart with joy!

I turned on Pandora to play 'CHRISTmas music' which just was the Hillsong United Channel.  Mighty to Save...  My God is mighty to save.  I don't need a thing.  A Lord, A Savior, He came!  He came to give us live, to give us peace, to give us Joy.  He came so that we could know the greatness of True Love.

It's a crazy thing this holiday season, I see His provision all over it.  I see it in coffee mugs, in Santa& Reindeer lighty things, I see it in face, I see it in my life, in my meals, in the daughter that I never deserved.  I see it in my home, and plastic window stuff, I see it all over the place. I see it in my friends that I don't deserve.  I see Him.  

I want to be like that woman. I want to worship all the time.  I want to love God so much, that He is all I see!

Join me in the reading plan.  Tell me how He's changed your life.  Whisper to me a story of His amazing grace and love in your life!  

Luke 2:21-40

On the eighth day, when it was time to circumcise the child, he was named Jesus, the name the angel had given him before he was conceived.

Jesus Presented in the Temple

22 When the time came for the purification rites required by the Law of Moses, Joseph and Mary took him to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord23 (as it is written in the Law of the Lord, "Every firstborn male is to be consecrated to the Lord"t),24 and to offer a sacrifice in keeping with what is said in the Law of the Lord: "a pair of doves or two young pigeons."t

25 Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was on him.26 It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord's Messiah.27 Moved by the Spirit, he went into the temple courts. When the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what the custom of the Law required,28 Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying:

29 "Sovereign Lord, as you have promised,
you may now dismisst your servant in peace.

30 For my eyes have seen your salvation,

31 which you have prepared in the sight of all nations:

32 a light for revelation to the Gentiles,
and the glory of your people Israel."

33 The child's father and mother marveled at what was said about him.34 Then Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, his mother: "This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against,35 so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your own soul too."

36 There was also a prophet, Anna, the daughter of Penuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was very old; she had lived with her husband seven years after her marriage,37 and then was a widow until she was eighty-four.t She never left the temple but worshiped night and day, fasting and praying.38 Coming up to them at that very moment, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem.

39 When Joseph and Mary had done everything required by the Law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee to their own town of Nazareth.40 And the child grew and became strong; he was filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was on him.