Christmas Eve

Happy Christmas Eve!

It feels strange to type that because it doesn't feel like Christmas Eve.

Normally, I would be up early baking and getting the food ready for our family Christmas Eve dinner.  I might be helping prepare things for our church service tonight.  And I would be drinking coffee from my Christmas mugs! :)

However, this year it's all been knocked out of wack.

I'm sitting here this morning drinking my coffee in my daughter's apartment...trying to be quiet so she can get the sleep she has been lacking....trying to decide when to wake her up for her next pain meds.   I am separated from the rest of my family.  

I don't have a church to help get ready.  

Things just aren't the way I would have planned.

I have been sitting here thinking how I can make it "feel" like Christmas.  Alyssa doesn't feel up to leaving the apartment yet, so no Christmas Eve service.  She can't eat anything that is not pureed or liquid, so no Christmas dinner or fun foods.  

And then it hit me....

....are these things REALLY what makes it feel like Christmas for me?

No.

It doesn't matter where I am or what I am doing, on this day......Christ, my Savior, was still born.  On this day, I was given the BEST gift that I could ever receive.  On this day, Jesus gave up all the comforts of Heaven to take on the constraints of a human form....for me.....and you.  On this day, God  initiated the plan that would pay for MY sins and ultimately provide me with eternal life.  The plan that would provide me with HOPE and PEACE even a mist the troubles of life.

And though I will be missing these other "things" today, I will be rejoicing and celebrating and being forever grateful for this GIFT.  

34 years ago, I accepted this free gift.  

I realized I could not navigate this life on my own. 

I asked Jesus to forgive me for trying.

And I accepted the gift He held out to me....

Salvation.

I opened the door of my heart and asked Him to come in.

What a GREAT day that was!!

So, this morning I celebrate that GIFT.

Those other things, though wonderful, pale in comparison.

And I pray, as I type, that each of you that reads this can also celebrate the BEST GIFT you've ever been given.  And no matter what your circumstance is right now....maybe you've lost a job like us, or maybe you've lost a loved one or something else incredibly important to you.....you are celebrating because THIS GIFT can NEVER be taken away!!!  

And if you have never placed your faith in Jesus Christ.....won't you consider it now?

What better time?

And if you are unsure....won't you email me?

I would love to talk to you about it.

And share with you where my JOY and PEACE come from..

...and how you can have it too!

Merry Christmas friends!

Enjoy your celebrations, church services and family....but don't forget to celebrate the BEST gift...

...the birth of JESUS.