I heard this song a few days ago and wanted to share. It's from one of my favorite Christian artisits, Brandon Heath. It's called "The Night Before Christmas". It gives me chills every time I hear it! Be sure to listen to the words.
Hope you enjoy it! :)
www.brandonheath.net
Friday, December 18, 2009
Monday, December 14, 2009
Tidings of Comfort and Joy
I can't believe it's December already! Where are the months going? I took a brief hiatus from my blog for the past few weeks on account of several reasons. One being that life has just gotten in the way and I haven't had the time to sit and write. Another reason.....I've been feeling a little like the Grinch lately.
I have always heard that the Holidays are never the same after you've lost a loved one, but I never thought I would get to find that out for myself so soon. As someone who has always been enthralled with Christmas, I can't exactly say that I've been all that excited this season. My tree is still not up, I don't have a single present wrapped, and my kitchen doesn't have the usual aroma of fresh-baked cookies like it normally does this time of year. Everywhere I go, it feels like it's all about seeing Christmas through the eyes of a child. There are the festive decorations....the sparkling lights... the tree.... the wrapped presents.....Santa.....all of the things that bring delight to the eyes of a small child. I have been missing my baby boy so much these past few weeks and I am constantly thinking about what we would be doing if he were here with us. I think about what our family Christmas card would like, what presents I would've bought him, and the "Baby's First Christmas" ornament that would hang on the tree.
I placed a Christmas wreath I had decorated with ornaments on Landon's grave last week. As I sat there beside his grave, I thought "How foolish of me to think that Christmas on earth could even compare to Christmas in Heaven. He has angels singing him Christmas carols and heaven's lights that glimmer and shine way beyond what we can even imagine."
A friend sent me a card a few weeks ago and she must have been reading my mind because it read "The joy is in the birth of our Savior, not the circumstances we find ourselves in." God knew I needed a reminder of what this season is all about. On the days I find it difficult to muster the strength to keep going, I reflect back on the birth of our Savior and the gift of life that He brought for all mankind. I also wonder what His young mother, Mary, must have thought while she carried her child in her womb. Did she know how great of an impact her son would one day make on the world? Did she know that she would out-live her son and that one day she would have to witness Him suffer on the cross? Did she give up her son willingly?
Our greatest tests come when we cannot see positive results from our faith and obedience. When faith doesn't see results it challenges what we believe. Mary may not have anticipated just how much her son's life would mean to this world, but she was steadfast in her faith and allowed God to use her. We must pray as Job prayed: "Teach me what I cannot see" (Job 34:32). God says there is a purpose in everything we go through. While it is important for us to remain faithful, we must also remember that God is faithful and He is so much bigger than Satan's afflictions.
I have always heard that the Holidays are never the same after you've lost a loved one, but I never thought I would get to find that out for myself so soon. As someone who has always been enthralled with Christmas, I can't exactly say that I've been all that excited this season. My tree is still not up, I don't have a single present wrapped, and my kitchen doesn't have the usual aroma of fresh-baked cookies like it normally does this time of year. Everywhere I go, it feels like it's all about seeing Christmas through the eyes of a child. There are the festive decorations....the sparkling lights... the tree.... the wrapped presents.....Santa.....all of the things that bring delight to the eyes of a small child. I have been missing my baby boy so much these past few weeks and I am constantly thinking about what we would be doing if he were here with us. I think about what our family Christmas card would like, what presents I would've bought him, and the "Baby's First Christmas" ornament that would hang on the tree.
I placed a Christmas wreath I had decorated with ornaments on Landon's grave last week. As I sat there beside his grave, I thought "How foolish of me to think that Christmas on earth could even compare to Christmas in Heaven. He has angels singing him Christmas carols and heaven's lights that glimmer and shine way beyond what we can even imagine."
A friend sent me a card a few weeks ago and she must have been reading my mind because it read "The joy is in the birth of our Savior, not the circumstances we find ourselves in." God knew I needed a reminder of what this season is all about. On the days I find it difficult to muster the strength to keep going, I reflect back on the birth of our Savior and the gift of life that He brought for all mankind. I also wonder what His young mother, Mary, must have thought while she carried her child in her womb. Did she know how great of an impact her son would one day make on the world? Did she know that she would out-live her son and that one day she would have to witness Him suffer on the cross? Did she give up her son willingly?
Our greatest tests come when we cannot see positive results from our faith and obedience. When faith doesn't see results it challenges what we believe. Mary may not have anticipated just how much her son's life would mean to this world, but she was steadfast in her faith and allowed God to use her. We must pray as Job prayed: "Teach me what I cannot see" (Job 34:32). God says there is a purpose in everything we go through. While it is important for us to remain faithful, we must also remember that God is faithful and He is so much bigger than Satan's afflictions.
To the brokenhearted, the downtrodden, the grieving, and the discouraged, I wish you tidings of comfort and joy. Comfort to get you through the difficult times and joy to overwhelmingly consume your hearts.
In His Love......
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