This year is somewhat different for Eddie and me. For starters, we are "HOME", where we are surrounded with family and friends. What a huge blessing! However, this year has been challenging for us financially. Our income sort of took a plunge with the move....and it's definitely been a "period of adjustment" for us.
With that in mind, we warned the kids some time ago that this would be a lean Christmas. And, in the back of my mind, I allowed myself to harbor negative feelings about the "lack" of presents. Every time I was out and about shopping, it seemed, I would see something that would the perfect gift for someone...and I had to pass it by.
But, as I was listening to Christmas music last night, I was struck by the words to the Steven Curtis Chapman song, "Our God Is With Us". The sheer power of the Message in this classic song struck squarely at my hurting, resentful heart....
"And in one glorious moment, all eternity was shaken
As God broke through the darkness that had kept us apart
And with love that conquers loneliness, hope that fills all emptiness
He came to earth to show our worth.
And our God is with us, Emmanuel
He's come to save us, Emmanuel, and we will never face life alone
Now that God has made himself known
As Father and Friend, with us through the end, Emmanuel
So rejoice, oh rejoice, Emmanuel has come."
For the greatest gift of all is not any gift that appears beneath the tree, no matter how grand it might be. The greatest gift of all was given on the night when Jesus humbly entered this world.
It was as if a bright light was turned on and I saw with clarity all the blessings bestowed upon me, and my family. And, in that moment, I was able to let go of the negative feelings that I was allowing to stifle Joy in my heart and truly rejoice at the beauty of this season.
I hope you will click on the link below and listen to this beautiful song. I don't know who put the video together and, yes, I know it is over 6 minutes long. But, the music and the message are worth every second of your time!
My prayer for you this Christmas, dear Friend, is that you will be filled with all the Joy that comes from accepting the greatest gift of all. Let us not forget the wondrous gift of that first Christmas or the comfort of knowing that our God is with us!
I am linking with Robin over at "ALL THINGS HEART & HOME" because she asked us to share about something that inspires us at Christmas....and even though there's not a Christmas decoration or recipe to be found in this post, it's all about INSPIRATION for me to share of the miracle of Jesus' birth!
Blessings to you and those you love...
Jane
Merry Christmas!
ReplyDeleteSherry