Once AFIt’s quiet in our house.
My eyes drift down the hallway, where past shadows float on the edge of consciousness.
Laughter echoes.
I catch a whiff of Christmas scents: clove, cinnamon, allspice, and nutmeg.
Hot chocolate with marshmallows or whipped cream. How about both?
“Mom, can I pleeease have a candy cane?”
Gentle smiles crease my face as the memories drift across time. I miss those days.
The crackling fire waves shadows and iridescent light.
Christmas Truth #1
In the quiet, God reminds me his promises always come true. God remains nearer than my breath. Once more, I pause to listen for God’s promise:
Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give
birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.
As he [Joseph] considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream.
“Joseph, son of David,” the angel said, “do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife.
For the child within her was conceived by the Holy Spirit. And she will have a son,
and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.”
For to us a child is born,
to us a son is given,
and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Of the greatness 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.
For we did not follow cleverly devised stories when we told you about the coming
of our Lord Jesus Christ in power, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty.
He received honor and glory from God the Father when the voice came to him from
the Majestic Glory, saying, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him, I am well pleased.”
We ourselves heard this voice that came from heaven when we were with him
on the sacred mountain.
Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.
No one will be able to stand against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses,
so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you.
Christmas Truth #2
As I breathe in the truth of these Scriptures, God whispers, “You can trust me.” He reminds me that every promise about Jesus came true—over 300 of them.
Sipping the hot cocoa in my mug (yes, it has whipping cream. ☕️ After all, it’s time to celebrate!), praises flow from my heart and lips.
No matter the current circumstances, God remains faithful. His promises always come true.
The fire embers urge me to add more wood.
With gratitude, I celebrate Christmas Past and welcome Christmas Present. Different yet precious. Simple and exquisite.
Christmas Truth #3
God is good. Jesus came as the baby who changed eternity for all of us.
God, I praise you. You planned from eternity past to send Jesus
to redeem this world from the mistakes, sin, and chaos we created.
Jesus was born to a humble mom and dad, in a nondescript town,
in the hills of Israel; the baby who was born to die.
The miracle of Jesus’ birth astounds us today because you didn’t have to do this.
Yet I can’t imagine this life without your redemption.
You changed my life. Praise your name for eternity.
‘Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain,
to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength
and honor and glory and praise!”
Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth
and under the earth and on the sea, and all that is in them, saying:
“To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb
be praise and honor and glory and power,
for ever and ever!”’
We give gifts because God gave us the greatest gift—Jesus, the author of our salvation and perfector of our faith.
This Christmas, I pray you will take the time to reflect, remember, and revel in God’s goodness to you. Although life probably isn’t perfect, God remains the same.
