Christmas began with a birth of a baby boy who was the promise of hope for all man kind. A birth, new beginnings, hope, all that good stuff! We tend to get wrapped up in Santa, what to get for our ungrateful Uncle so and so, and fret over how to pay for all of it. Have you ever really thought about the real first Christmas? I often think of Mary, a young girl, some believe to be around 15 years old. Can you even begin to imagine what it must have been like for her to deal with all she dealt with? I'm thinking she was probably dealing with a lot of rejection, persecution and who knows what else! What an amazing young woman to just push through her trials, because she knew that she knew she had a special calling from God on her life. Thank goodness Mary didn't just give up when things got hard!
Then I think about Jesus. Do you ever wonder what kind of child he was? Did he ever get a spanking for getting into things as normal children do? Was he full of curious questions or was he the one offering incredible wisdom to his parents as a young boy. Let's fast forward to Jesus at about the age of 33. The bible says he was a "man of sorrows". Here Jesus came to do great things for mankind, and man was terrible to Jesus. Though I'm sure at times Jesus was very broken hearted, he knew that he knew that God had a special overall plan for his life, so he just kept pressing forward. What an amazing person!!! He fullfilled his purpose because he loved us, regardless of our behavior, our stupidity, regardless....he loved us.
I encourage you to not just think of the presents and the Christmas tree this Christmas, or even for just the baby in the manger. Think about Mary and what an amazing woman she must have been, think about Joseph and what a good guy he had to be to just stick with Mary because he knew that he knew that God was doing something mighty. Think about the baby Jesus, the boy Jesus, and the man Jesus who probably lived more heartache than anything because he was just trying to love us, and we rejected him. Remember Jesus is still with us every single second, guiding our steps (if we'll let him), forgiving us, loving us....just because. That's precious.
I hope you all will have the best Christmas ever this year. I am so incredible thankful and full of joy for 2009. Granted there was a lot of hurt this year, but I am happier than ever FINALLY. God took everything out of my life that was (though I couldn't see it then) not for my very best. I am so excited to start 2010! God has made some amazing promises to me that I can't wait to see come to pass! Thank you Lord for putting me where I am right now! God is good. Merry Christmas friends!
Gracie enjoying a snowball fight in Chattanooga recently!
Below, Gracie and her friend Caleb with their school project where they had to invent a toy.
My Christmas tree in my office.
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