Christmas from a Woman's Perspective

The birth of Christ is certainly something to celebrate. The Incarnation...God come to earth and became flesh - came to earth to make his dwelling among us.   A miracle!

He allowed Himself to be subject to Mary - a very young, first-time mother, and Joseph a first-time dad.  Risky stuff if you ask me..

Let me ask you a question: Do you stand in the awe a wonder of that? I must admit sadly that mostly I stand in awe & wonder at all I have to do!

We are women and we know how to celebrate a holiday!  Tell me honestly...can you picture what Christmas would be like if all the prep was left up to the men??  (At my house, if there was a tree at all, it would likely be strung with one set of lights stretched sparingly across it, we would have burgers for dinner, and there might be plain, white envelopes under the tree with cash inside..)

 We decorate our homes, we bake special goodies, we send cards with loving sentiments, we host family and friends for delectable meals, we sing in choirs and we shop, and shop and shop! We lavish loved ones with gifts galore!  (I'm exhausted just thinking about it..)

But as much as I enjoy the celebrations of the season, I find myself in the midst of a dilemma:  how do I participate in the wonderful traditions of Christmas without becoming so distracted that I disregard or ignore the very One I am celebrating?  I have lists upon lists of things to accomplish in a very short amount of time!  And after all - it won’t be Christmas if I don’t serve the old favorites to the family, or have the house looking festive, and won’t people be offended if they don’t receive a card from me?  And then there is the shopping...sales on items that I simply must purchase or certain people won’t be satisfied...stores crowded, traffic, rude people to deal with...and deadlines!  I am challenged by all of this every year.

I don’t know that I have ever truly asked the Lord how HE would have me celebrate His birth, but I think it’s a good idea.  The shepherds were so excited after hearing of the birth of the Savior that they hurried off to find Mary, Joseph and baby Jesus.  They didn’t seem to be too concerned with the sheep & other responsibilities.  God took care of them and he will also take care of ours if we be sure to put Him first. “Seek first the kingdom of God and all these things will be added to you as well.” (Matthew 6:33)

A picture just came into my head - In it I am celebrating my husband’s birthday with family & friends, food & gifts, but he is sitting in the back of the room in a corner by himself...

John 1:1 “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.  He was with God in the beginning...The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us.  We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and Truth.”

Isaiah 9:6,7 “For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given, and the government shall be upon His shoulders. And He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace.  Of the increase of His government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever.  The zeal of the Lord Almighty will accomplish this.”

He is awesome and amazing! He loves us so much! So let’s take time with the One we are celebrating and bless those with whom we celebrate!  For we are WOMEN and we know how to celebrate our Savior and King!

May your Christmas celebrations be filled with joy and may you take time every day with the One you are celebrating!  That's how to have a truly "Merry" Christmas!

I know it's early - but Merry Christmas!!

Just a Simple Girl

Well, let me start off by saying I'm not really a "girl" anymore since I'm beyond the age of "girl-hood", but inside my head I am still a girl.  :)  So, that being said...I am not fancy, I'm not beautiful, I'm not rich, I live in an average home in an average neighborhood. I don't have great ambitions - never have - but I do want to make a difference in this world.  And that is actually a huge ambition, and yet each and every one of us can attain to it!

How?  Just by being you and using the talents and personality you've been given...that's how!  It doesn't take a great ability or beauty or money to start a chain reaction of blessing in this life.  A smile.  A helping hand. A prayer. A thoughtful note.  Some people call this "random acts of kindness."  I call it bearing fruit for God.  It's what we're called to do.  We all have our "sphere of influence" - people in our lives that no one else can reach but us.  This is important to realize because when we do, we understand the importance of showing them Christ's love that they may not get to       experience anywhere else.          

One of the keys to success in bearing fruit for God in this life is not comparing yourself to ANYone else!  One side of comparing is pride and on the other side is depression.  Neither are healthy or productive.  So we accept ourselves as God made us, with whatever gifts he's given, and we go forth in His name to just love on people.  And everyone can do that!  Just be a simple girl-or guy. Be who you are and let God show you how you can make a big difference in someone's life today.

The pics I've added show ways to be simply "you"....make muffins for a neighbor, invite someone over for a visit, give flowers, sew a tablerunner or something else for someone - or just smile!

 Just go out there and be simply, beautifully YOU! And let the love of God flow...

"I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing." John 15:5