Unwrappings

It's the day after Christmas and many experience a let down after the holiday is over. The presents are unwrapped and perhaps strewn around the living room floor. For some they are back to the regular grind again.

I typically don't face these emotions since my husband and I were married the day after Christmas - 26 years ago. While others are returning gifts they didn't want, some are out shopping for those post-season discounts, my husband and I typically have a quiet day together. Often we go to a movie and go out for a nice dinner together.

How about you? Do you have a let down after Christmas is over? How do you spend December 26th?

Thanks for being a part of the Holly Jolly Blog Hop. Praying you have a blessed 2014.

Adoration

O come, all ye faithful,
Joyful and triumphant,
O come ye, O come ye to Bethlehem.
Come and behold Him,
Born the King of Angels!

O come, let us adore Him,
O come, let us adore Him,
O come, let us adore Him,
Christ the Lord.
(Words to O Come All Ye Faithful)


When was the last time you stopped and adored Him?

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HOPE

I put my hope in You, Lord - Psalm 38:15a

Now, Lord, what do I wait for?
My hope is in You. - Psalm 39:7

Israel, put your hope in the Lord.
For there is faithful love with the Lord,
and with Him is redemption in abundance.
8 And He will redeem Israel
from all its sins. - Psalm 130:7-8

For I know the plans I have for you”—this is the Lord’s declaration—“plans for your welfare, not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. You will call to Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. - Jeremiah 29: 11-12

Because of the Lord’s faithful love
we do not perish,
for His mercies never end.
23 They are new every morning;
great is Your faithfulness!
24 I say: The Lord is my portion,
therefore I will put my hope in Him. - Lamentations 3:22-24


OUR HOPE IS IN THE LORD. HE IS THE REASON WE CELEBRATE CHRISTMAS.


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ADVENTure

As we begin the Advent season, I thought it would be fun to start the month with an ADVENTure as we tune our hearts toward the true reason why we celebrate the season.

Adoration
Two groups of people came to adore and worship the baby Jesus.

The shepherds, after hearing this proclamation from the angels:

I proclaim to you good news of great joy that will be for all the people:Today a Savior, who is Messiah the Lord, was born for you in the city of David. This will be the sign for you: You will find a baby wrapped snugly in cloth and lying in a feeding trough.” Suddenly there was a multitude of the heavenly host with the angel, praising God and saying:

Glory to God in the highest heaven,
and peace on earth to people He favors! (Luke 2:10-14)

They did this:
They hurried off and found both Mary and Joseph, and the baby who was lying in the feeding trough. After seeing them, they reported the message they were told about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them.(Luke 2:16-18)

The wise men also came to adore the new child:

Entering the house, they saw the child with Mary His mother, and falling to their knees, they worshiped Him.Then they opened their treasures and presented Him with gifts: gold, frankincense, and myrrh. (Matthew 2:11)

When was the last time you stopped and adored Christ?

Devotion
Here is the protection of the Most High when we choose to devote our lives to Him.

Because he is lovingly devoted to Me,
I will deliver him;
I will protect him because he knows My name.
15 When he calls out to Me, I will answer him;
I will be with him in trouble.
I will rescue him and give him honor.(Psalm 91:14-15)

Are you fully devoted to the Lord?

Victorious
Jesus Christ is victorious. He will defeat Satan.

Then one of the elders said to me, “Stop crying. Look! The Lion from the tribe of Judah,the Root of David, has been victorious so that He may open the scroll. (Revelation 5:5)

You have nothing to fear because the Lord is victorious.

Encourage
Many people are hurting, particularly around the holidays.

Therefore encourage one another and build each other up as you are already doing. (1 Thessalonians 5:11)

Who can you encourage this Christmas season?

New
You have this promise if you have given your life to the Lord.

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away, and look, new things have come. (2 Corinthians 5:17)

Have you made your life new in Him?

Testimony
We each have a testimony or story of how we came to salvation in Christ Jesus.

The Apostle Paul said:

When I came to you, brothers, announcing the testimony of God to you... (1 Corinthians 2:1)

When was the last time you shared your testimony with someone?

So are you ready to go on an ADVENTure this Christmas?


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Waiting

Waiting....waiting...waiting for Emmanuel to appear
Always believing the Savior will soon be here.

These were the words to one of songs, in one of the many Christmas cantatas I've participated in over the years.

Many years passed between the Old Testament and the New Testament.

Many years of waiting for the promised Messiah to come to earth.

Years with no word from the Lord.

As you think about and anticipate the Christmas season, what are you waiting for?


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P for Preparation - Christmas Blog Hop

In just a short time my husband and I will be starting an advent devotional as we prepare for Christmas. I find it hard to believe that it's only one week until Thanksgiving, and Christmas just about a month away. This year has sped by in so many ways.

Typically I prepare for the holiday season by decorating the house and front yard. We bake cookies and prepare special dishes that we only make one time a year. We have special traditions.

I have one thing prepared already - our Christmas tree. Actually it's been in place since last year. :) I did add a new ornament though - a blue ball with the word Navy written across it. My son recently graduated from boot camp with the Navy so it has a special significance to us of his achievement.

I don't know how much decorating I'll be able to do since we may be facing a major renovation project in our home, but I still can be preparing for the holiday. I can ask God to sweep away the cobwebs of doubt that may have accumulated in the recesses of my heart, to scrub away the stain of sin that darkens my steps, wipe away the smudges of ungratefulness.

What are you doing to prepare your heart for the holidays?


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