Give the Gift of Hope- Give Jesus

 Dear Blog,
I am so sorry that I have neglected to give you the attention you deserve.  Please don't think my absence is a statement that I have failed to find a good thing in everyday.  I have been so busy filling my days with good things that I failed to share them.

Lets move forward because I am smart enough to know that my memory would fail me if I attempted to recall everything I could have shared in all those missed posts.

We are fast approaching The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year however what constitutes the wonderful? Is it the twinkling lights that adorn our trees? I love to sit and look at the tree and squint my eyes and for some reason it brings instant Christmas memories from my childhood.  On my mantle sits two reindeer that Were in my family home before I was born and while this holds very dear memories for me it is not the most powerful memory I should have.

Is it the Holiday baking?  I use some of the same cookie cutters my mother once used and they are especially dear to me because she is no longer with us and using them brings forth a flood of memories of the endless cookie baking she did.  While that is a warm memory that can bring a smile to my face, it is not the most important memory I should have.

Let's not forget the the Christmas smells, the fresh scents of pine, cinnamon, wassail, and burning candles.  The nose is a powerful thing in that smells often trigger memories for us.  I can smell jello, and instantly recall that every Sunday morning I would waken to that smell and know that mom was in the kitchen preparing dinner before church.  The pine trees bring forth numerous years full of memories of prodding through the woods to cut down our tree.  These are great memories but not the greatest memory I should have


  The endless hours of shopping choosing that one gift that will be loved.
 The parties, choir musicals, children programs, Holiday traditions that may include a trip to the zoo to see all the lights, a production of Nutcracker, or The Living Christmas tree. 

Unfortunately we live as though the song is "The most busiest time of the year" when in fact it truly is "The most Wonderful time of the year."

Not because of the baking, lights, celebrations, or traditions but because of our Lord and Saviour. 

I understand that Christmas is a season of pure enchantment, where toy lands and fantasies fill the minds of our little ones and we find joy in fulfilling those dreams . Let us not forget though that it is a time of Hope, of new beginnings .  It is a time of angles announcing glad tidings of great joy to Shepherd's in a Field , and Wise men following a star to bring gifts to this child.  This memory, this here is the most powerful, the most important.

It is a time to focus on the importance of delivering this message more than delivering gifts, that when we are shopping for that "special" gift we think of the Christ Child because there is no greater gift to give or receive.

Can you balance family traditions with celebrating the Birth of this King?  Would your family celebrate your Birthday without you?

This season remember that long ago The Virgin Mary had a baby boy and his name is Jesus.
 
 The Birth of Jesus Christ
"And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed. And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, to be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child. And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord". — Luke 2:1-11

May you have a Blessed Christmas