Hi everyone!
This has been a crazy, tough year for many of us.
As we reflect on what we’ve all been through this year, I wanted to give you my perspective on the holiday season that is upon us.
We still have much to celebrate, and much to be grateful for. I am someone who believes that no matter what we are dealing with, we can always find something to be grateful for. I know without asking that there are some of you that believe in Christmas, and in our Lord Jesus Christ, and there are some of you that are not believers. My hope and prayer is that ALL of you are able to find peace and love in your lives no matter where you are in your spiritual journey and no matter what the adversity, whether you are Christian or not. As Americans and as people in this world, we all need each other as we strive for “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness”.
Our nation was founded on a list of Constitutional freedoms, among which is freedom of religion. That freedom is so integrated into the fabric of our country and its founding that all of our money still has the phrase “IN GOD WE TRUST” engraved on it.
For those of us that are Christians I hope that you will find time, even if it’s just a little bit of time, to remember the birth of the Love and Truth that inspires us. For us, that Love and Truth is reflected in Jesus Christ. The gift of His Love is a miracle to be cherished for all time, and until the end of time. It is what trumps all of the slings and arrows of adversity, and all of the evil in this world . . . as Jesus once said, “In the world ye shall have tribulation. But be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”
I want to share a couple of verses that continue to inspire me. These are not necessarily Christmas verses, but they are biblical verses that meant so much to me that I had them read at my wedding thirty-two years ago. So, from First John, Chapter 3, verses 1-3, “Behold what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not because it knew him not. Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that when he shall appear, we shall be like him: for we shall see him as he is. And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure”(King James version: italics mine).
Give a gift of love to someone this season, but especially give that gift to the One who loves us unconditionally in spite of all our failings. Love Him back a little . . . and while you’re at it, don’t forget to love and forgive yourself.
Blessings and Merry Christmas
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