“Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men” (Luke 2:14)

As you prepare for this beautiful time of year we call Christmas, take a moment to slow your steps. Put your “to do” list aside, give yourself the gift of pause, and find a quiet corner to reflect. Let your mind and heart be present as you take the time to stop and remember the true reason for this glorious season… the greatest story ever told, the greatest gift ever given.

A gift that came to earth over 2,000 years ago in a little town called Bethlehem. A gift that came on what seemed to be another ordinary night in an ordinary town but turned into a night of miracles in a town that would forever be remembered as the birthplace of the greatest gift.

A gift given freely from the Creator himself, wrapped in the beauty of unconditional love, grace and mercy. More valuable, more beautiful, more amazing than any ever given or ever received in all of time. A gift like no other… so miraculously wonderful.

No gift has ever been more meaningful or more impactful. None has ever been more precious or perfect.

This present came to humanity at the perfect time… not a second too early or a second too late. Heaven reached down, and God so lovingly presented His answer of rescue to fix a fallen, broken world.

From the beginning of time, this was His plan. He knew when it would happen and fashioned every detail. He set the backdrop and chose the little town of Bethlehem to present his gift to the world. He placed the star in the sky that shined brilliant and bright and sent his angels to triumphantly announce the birth of his Son, our Savior. He made sure the shepherds tending the sheep heard the announcement that the King had come so they could go and worship in awe and wonder. He chose a humble manger for the King to rest his head. Not a detail was missed… not one. Everything went according to plan. All designed by a loving, all-knowing, all-powerful, all-wonderful heavenly Father.

It must have been amazing… beyond words to have witnessed that spectacular event. How blessed hearts must have been to be in Bethlehem that night. And what God must have thought and felt when watching it all unfold. How he must have smiled.

An event like no other before or since had come to mankind. God’s Son came to earth, presented as a beautiful baby, born in a stable, placed in a manger beside his earthly parents, Mary and Joseph, whom God selected for such a time as this.

And while watching His precious little Son, God knew what the future held. He knew what had to be done. He knew the sacrifice that would have to be made. His precious Son… his one and only Son, would have to endure an excruciatingly painful death on a cross to pay a debt he did not owe because of a price humanity could not pay. His life would be given so lives could be saved. His blood would be shed so rivers of forgiveness could wash sins white as snow. He would have to be beaten, his body broken and given, so a bridge could be built. All planned before the beginning of time… a rescue mission to save humanity.

His presence became the greatest present ever given… the greatest gift ever received.

From the very beginning, a plan was put in place. And in that very moment… during that very night, God said, “It is time.” With unconditional love, He sent His Son to give hope, to show the way, to bring salvation and life… all to provide a bridge back to the Father.

It is the only gift able to reach past the external and touch the internal. It creates miracles, opens hearts, transforms minds, and changes lives. It cleanses, rescues, forgives, loves, offers hope, and provides peace. It is the only gift able to save and bring an eternity bright. It came packaged with the greatest of care and came wrapped with the purest of love.

It was all a part of God’s great plan to save His creation. He did it for YOU. He did it for me. He did it for all of us.

Amazing!

As you celebrate this Christmas, take to heart, as Mary did, all that God has done. Rejoice in the birth of the Savior! Make the focus of your season, the very heart of your celebration, about Jesus. Cherish all He gave. Appreciate all He continually gives. Make it your mission to keep Him close to your heart this Christmas and every day of every year.

Jesus is the reason for the season. He is the reason we celebrate.

Share His love and His story.

He truly is the greatest of gifts.

Praying God blesses each of you in many beautiful ways this holiday season. Sharing a video I recently created… hope you enjoy it. https://youtu.be/UkO87qso2Xw

Merry CHRISTmas to you all!

Holly

spate.holly@gmail.com

 

 

Psalm 100:4 “Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name.”

As Thanksgiving Day approaches, let’s bow our heads in gratitude. Let’s take time out to contemplate all we truly have in which to be grateful.

As believers in Christ, we have so much. There’s absolutely nothing this world can provide that can top or satisfy as that which God has already provided.

God wants His children to always have a heart of gratitude… to forever be mindful of all we have because of all He so lovingly gave.

1 Thessalonians 5:18 reminds of this truth: “In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.”

Psalm 106:1 says, “Praise ye the LORD. O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever.”

In our imperfect nature, it is easy to give thanks when everything is sailing along and going smoothly, but it takes much more effort when things aren’t going as planned.

This life, this world in which we’re living, has no shortage of problems. Anyone paying attention can see that sin is running rampant, and love is waxing cold in many. This world has become a very strange, crazy and dark place in many ways. Those keeping an eye on things all seem in agreement… we seem to be quickly approaching the end of the age of grace. And as we do, we can expect more of the same from the world as we await the arrival of our wonderful King and Savior.

However we find our world or our circumstances, we are called as Christians to continually trust and be ever thankful.

I admit I struggle with being thankful 24/7. Perhaps others out there do too. Some days I’m excited and feel hopeful. Some days I feel especially blessed and thankful. On other days I take my eyes off Jesus and look around and become stressed and a little panicked at all I’m seeing. I find myself complaining instead of counting my blessings. I suddenly forget how blessed I truly am when I allow the fog of frustration, fear, or complaining to take root.

It is during these times when I’m not focused on what I need to be focused that I have to stop and remind myself of this truth:

I have so much to be thankful for. I am in the best hands possible. God loves me and promises to watch over me, provide for me, help me and walk beside me. He promises He will never leave me or forsake me. My life is precious to Him.

Even more importantly, He is King of Kings… Lord of all! There is nothing that is outside his control… nothing. He has proven himself trustworthy and is deserving of my gratitude and praise.

When I respond to life and all I see from the right perspective… focused on Him, I suddenly begin to remember… the blessings begin to flood my mind and memory, and I realize my frustrations and lack of thankfulness have once again clouded my view. I really hate to admit it, but this has been a pattern in my life.

I want to live out Ephesians 5:20 every day, which says, “Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

I want to put Colossians 3:17 to daily action: “And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.”

It is definitely a work in progress (I am a work in progress), but with God’s help, I can improve; I can do better. Apart from Him, I can do nothing, but with Him, nothing is impossible.

When I decide to put my life in God’s trustworthy, capable hands, I can rest in His love and care. I can have peace that passes understanding and joy if I keep my focus centered on Him.

Through various lessons in my life, I’ve realized trust and thankfulness are key in maintaining joy. Trusting in Christ and being thankful always helps bring calm and sets my heart, mind, and steps on the right path.

When we really stop and focus… when we turn our eyes toward Christ, we are quickly reminded how much we have in which to be thankful.

As Christians, we can look to the cross and remember all Christ did so we could be saved from a life apart from our Creator. Christ provided the sacrifice, which affords us everything we don’t deserve, but everything God wanted to give. As Christians, we know wholeheartedly that…

Because we are His, we have assurance of provision.

Because we are His, we never walk alone.

Because we are His, we can experience joy in the midst of sorrow.

Because we are His, we can trust the plan He has for our lives.

Because we are His, we know He will work out everything for our good and His glory.

Because we are His, we are saved by grace through faith and have been rescued.

Because we are His, we are promised a bright and beautiful eternity.

Because we are His, we have everything because He gave everything.

I could go on, but you get the picture.

The reality is, no matter how dim the world may become, no matter what’s going on from a personal level, God is bigger. He is trustworthy, He is perfect, His ways are always perfect, and He is worthy of our consistent adoration, praise and thanks.

It’s been said, “There is always something to be thankful for.”

Yes… there is always something to be thankful for.

As Christians, a heart of thanks is not beyond our reach. We have an endless list of blessings in which to be grateful. And we owe it all to our heavenly Father.

Happy Thanksgiving!

spate.holly@gmail.com