Christmas quoteFor there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.

-Luke 2:11

Those words in the above scripture, in all their glory, remind me the reason peace resides deep inside my soul.

Last Thursday, my neighbor passed away. As I spoke with her three children, who are all still in their 20s, my heart was heavy.

I choose to remember that God is God and He holds us in the dark – even when parents pass away right before Christmas.

I watch families struggle through another year without those closest to them. I think of those who are facing their first Christmas’ without their loved ones. My family is one of “those.” My uncle won’t be joining us around the Christmas Eve table this year. Who would have thought last year would have been our very last holiday dinner together? Not me.

I choose to remember… God is God and He holds us in the dark- even when our loved ones are forever absent from their seat at the table.

And then I listen to children sing carols. I watch them laugh and play in wonder. They dream of sugar cookies and new toys on Christmas morning. My heart refills with joy.

Now more than ever,  I’m convinced brand new joy is birthed from pain. With new joy comes life and hope. And where there is life and hope, there is Christ.

There is an old quote that says, “Where there’s life, there’s hope.” I love those words so much because I know Christ is life – eternal, unending life. And because of His life, there is hope for ALL.

As you watch your children unwrap their gifts this year, choose to unwrap joy.

As you eat your Christmas meal with an empty seat at the table, choose joy.

A new year is coming, and I pray new joy over you. I pray you find yourself covered in the love of a savior who holds us in the dark yet pours a continuous stream of light and joy inside the soul – even when that joy resides in the deep, deep, dark and takes time to reach. If you’ve welcomed Him inside your heart, you’ll find it. I know you will.

May you allow Him to be the Keeper of your heart.

Merry Christmas from my family to yours…

Family Christmas photoYou might not hear from me again until after the New Year. You are a gift to me. Thank you for reading!

Be blessed!

Love,

Jennifer

 

 

 

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