On the 24th my family will celebrate the birth of the Christ Child once again. The tradition has been that we attend the Christmas Eve service at our church, then come home and feast on a turkey dinner. Another tradition is my making rice pudding and hiding one whole almond in it. My kids are not especially fond of rice pudding, but brave it in quest of finding that one almond in their bowl because if they find it they get the “almond gift”…usually a chocolate treat that they may share or hoard for themselves. We will then all take up our designated places in the livingroom and my husband will read the Christmas Story with all three of our children curled up beside him on the couch.
At least that is what we have done in the past.
With grown children who must juggle their time between our festivities and their in-laws, not to mention spending time with friends over the holidays, our Christmas Eve this year may be very quiet…the two “Empty Nesters” curled up by the fire dreaming of Christmases past. We may not all be together over Christmas but our hearts are full. My husband and I will take some time to reflect on how God has once again poured out His blessings upon us this past year, and then we will sit on the couch, sigh contentedly and bask in the soft candlelight glow to experience the peace of Christmas.
The peace of Christmas. Peace. Hope. Joy. Love. Wouldn’t it be wonderful to experience that all year round?
Our Pastor says we can experience “Christmas” all year long. In fact, everytime someone prays to receive Christ as their personal Savior, our Pastor says we have just experienced, “Christmas”.
“The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned…For unto us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever.” Isaiah 9:2,6-7
Hebrews 13:21. “It is written” – Jesus has equipped me and every good thing to do His will, working in me that which is pleasing in His sight.
James 1:5. “It is written” – God has generously and without reproach given to me wisdom if I asked Him.
James 1:12. “It is written” – the Lord has promised to give the crown of life when I persevere under trial.
1 Peter 1:3. “It is written” – in His great mercy, I had been born again into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.
1 Peter 1:4. “It is written” – I have obtained an inheritance which can never perish, spoil or fade away, reserved in heaven for me.
1 Peter 1:5. “It is written” – I am protected by the power of God through faith until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time.
1 Peter 1:16. “It is written” – because He is holy, I am holy.
1 Peter 1:18-19. “It is written” – I was not redeemed with perishable things like silver or gold, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect.
1 Peter 1:23. “It is written” – I have been born again, not of seed which is perishable, but imperishable, that is, through the living and abiding word of God.
1 Peter 2:5. “It is written” – I am a living stone being built up into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.
1 Peter 2:9. “It is written” – I am a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a person for God’s own possession, that I, may proclaim the Excellencies of Him who has called me out of darkness into His marvelous light.
1 Peter 2:10. “It is written” – I am part of the family of God and have received mercy.
1 Peter 2:24. “It is written” – by His words, I am healed.
1 Peter 3:18. “It is written” – I have been made a life in the Spirit.
1 Peter 4:14. “It is written” – the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon me.
2 Peter 1:3. “It is written” – His divine power has granted to me everything pertaining to life and godliness, through the true knowledge of Him who called us by His glory and excellence.
2 Peter 1:4. “It is written” – He has granted to me His precious and magnificent promises, in order that by them I might become a partaker of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world by lust.
2 Peter 1:9. “It is written” – I have been purified from my former sins.
2 Peter 3:9. “It is written” – the Lord is patient toward me.
1 John 2:12. “It is written” – my sins are forgiven me on account of His name.
1 John 2:27. “It is written” – the anointing of which I received from Him remains in me, and I have no need for anyone to teach me; but as His anointing teaches me above all things, and is true and not a lie, and just as it is has taught me, remains in me.
1 John 3:2. “It is written” – I am now a child of God.
1 John 3:22. “It is written” – because I keep His commandments and do the things that are pleasing in His sight, whenever I ask, I received from Him.
Rev. 3:20. “It is written” – He is knocking at the door of my heart and if I will hear His voice and open the door He will come in to me and we will dine together.
Rev. 22:12. “It is written” – He is coming soon and I will obtain my reward accordingly.
Amen and Amen!
All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.zondervan.com The “NIV” and “New International Version” are trademarks registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by Biblica, Inc.™
Lynn Dove's Journey Thoughts 