What Christmas Means To Me [A Group Project]

Feeling the urge to do something more collaborative for a Christmas post this year, I asked a few friends of mine for the help by sharing what Christmas means to them.  Thank you each for your help on this, I appreciate each of you very much!

What Christmas Means To Me

By Aubrey, Destinie, Gina, Spencer & Yvonne

I've been thinking about this a lot: there are so many contemporary songs out there that pine away longing for the joys of Christmases past. From memories of lost love, to wondering why Christmas isn't the way it was when we were children, to longing for loved ones who have passed. I don't mean to be critical, because those feelings are very real. I could and do feel the same way for any number of reasons. Missing my mom. Missing my dad. Even missing friends that I enjoyed celebrating Christmas with last year.

However, I also rejoice over watching my children grow, seeing Wesley for the first time truly excited about Christmas, his understanding growing because he remembers last year. Remembering my beautiful baby girl last year, and now seeing her, a toddler, not understanding and yet enchanted by all the beauty of the glistening lights and the joyful church music which radiates the same spirit of joy which God has placed within her. It was last Christmas that God began to show me that "joy" was going to be the word He would give me for her.

But I have really been thinking about how God never changes. And how often we forget because we get focused on how things have changed, or how we are in the midst of change, or how big changes lie ahead. Even Christmas, that special time that comes around every December, changes with every year that goes by. This beckons to us, to bring the focus of Christmas back to God, not just to Jesus coming as a little baby but everything before and after that moment in time, because Jesus, being God, is eternal and immutable. The great mystery of Christmas is how all that holiness and glory and eternity came clothed in the helpless human form of a little baby.

Another thing about Christmas that is mysterious to me is how everyone, believer and non-believer, seeker, atheist, and skeptic alike, we all feel something special this time of year. People's hearts are open. Differences are, at least for a moment, overlooked or even reconciled. And yet Jesus wasn't even born on December 25th.

I'm striving with my kids to keep the focus on eternal things as much as possible. People probably think we're miserly because of how little money we spend on our kids at Christmas time. They probably also think we're party poopers because we don't want our kids to believe in Santa Claus. Maybe we are those things, but it also helps steer the focus away from the presents and back toward what is really important: the only part of Christmas that will never, ever change, and will even outlive the very need for Christmas itself. Jesus is called the Word because He communicates to us everything that God, the incomprehensible, Holy, Perfect Being that we cannot see, wants to show us about Himself. Jesus came as a baby to communicate that to us on a level that we could understand. He lived among us so we could see firsthand all that God is in a way we could comprehend. And so that He would feel and experience everything we do, yet without sin, making Him the perfect sacrifice to reconcile us to God, and also the perfect High Priest to stand before God and intercede for us, because He experienced firsthand the pain of being clothed in this frail human flesh.

We definitely decorate our house and have big family gatherings and enjoy some of the more secular trappings of Christmas. We play Christmas music, secular and Christian, from Thanksgiving to New Years. We LOVE this time of year as much as any other family. And I think that many of those things can and should be enjoyed in their rightful place. It just breaks my heart when those are the first and only reasons for celebrating this time of year. – Aubrey (Rochester, NY)

Christmas means family: lots and lots of family. I have over 20 first cousins, so whatever house we've chosen to gather in is always full. To me, Christmas has never really been about gifts and lights or physical things, but about coming together to fellowship with each other in memory of Christ and what he did, and still does for us. And of course, no Christmas is complete without coma-inducing, rich foods. – Destinie (Planet City, FL)

There is something very magical about Christmas. The hope of our Savior coming to dwell with us, the opportunity to bless others, the anticipation of a day filled with warmth & love. Many complain that it has become materialistic or that it has become a secular event. I don't feel that way though. I believe many still hold on to the true meaning of it. You see it as you pass people's houses and churches, and the nativity is on full display. You see it as you scroll down social media pages and people are celebrating Advent, stirring themselves up. You see it as people make the effort to volunteer at shelters or rush to an angel tree to pick out a child to bless.

Though the season begins with a Black Friday, the true spirit of Christmas is alive & well in the hearts of men. Let us not become discouraged or doubt motives, but remain focused on the lights in the world that are shining brighter in the dark. – Gina (Plano, TX)

What Christmas means to me is a time for miracles and a time to fall in love. Christmas brings people together and makes the impossible possible in some way shape or form. People say Santa isn't real but I believe he is real still to this day. The only difference from when you were a kid to now is that if you're good he'll bring you a miracle. – Spencer (Lawrenceville, GA)

It's another year gone by and the anniversary of our dear Saviors birth comes around again. Growing up in a large family (there were 8 of us kids), was always fun and innovative. Christmas was no exception. Today, I hold dear those many memories. Both secular and religious. I am so glad I went to Sunday School as a child. My parents did not attend church but they made sure us kids went every Sunday. But they always came to the Easter and Christmas programs our Sunday schools put on. The early foundation of my church years gave me the promise that Christ was born for a reason. I learned that early and know today that many people celebrate for different reasons. But not me. Jesus is the Reason for the Season!. The Christmas Carols in the hymnal, remembered forever on my mind will never fade. Today in the hustle and bustle of Christmas as the commercialization takes a front door. I read the gospel over and over. I sing the hymns over and over.( I can't sing on tune so I sing by myself.) and I keep adding to my nativity collection. I also keep some of the fun stuff, Santa Claus, Frosty, and Jingle Bells. This year, I am keeping Christmas simple. Easy on the gifts, lots of family, and comfort foods. Fellowship with friends and remembering good childhood memories. Midnight Church service on Christmas Eve. How can I forget? Candles lit each window in the church with a calming glow. Silent Night, Holy Night. Sung by the choir in perfect pitch. The Christmas tree all lit aglow under twinkling lights. Christmas to me is all these things. I have taught my children that Christmas is Jesus' birthday, a day to celebrate the wonderful gift from God to us.  That we have a way to come to him for an eternal life and Jesus is the answer for the world. Merry Christmas! – Yvonne (Vancouver, WA)

I Am Second - Anne Rice

If you knew me during my teen-age years then you knew one thing about me for sure, I loved Anne Rice. I consumed her vampire novels one after the other, having my parents sometimes pay top dollar for the hardcover version the first day it was released. To my delight today I found that she made a "I Am Second" video. While listening to her, as she speaks about what it was she was going through while she penned down her famous works is quite interesting and amazing. They are both of those (interesting and amazing) as I recollect what I was going through, what I felt and was dealing with in my own life at the times when I read them. Not to mention as I near my 30th birthday, and it was been almost a decade since I have picked up one of those books (albeit I have read her Christ The Lord novels since). It is when we look back, we can see how far we have come ... how far God has lead us into the greatness He has in store. 

I recommend you to listen to her story, if you have a spare ten minutes or so. 

Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Romans 8:37-39

Mother Teresa [Let's All Take Some Notes]

It doesn't take a Catholic to realize that Mother Teresa is/was the BOMB DIGGITY! I admire her faith and her service. So in honor of the legendary lady, here are some of my favorite quotes from her. 

• If you can't feed a hundred people, then feed just one.
  
• I alone cannot change the world, but I can cast a stone across the waters to create many ripples.
  
• I know God won't give me anything I can't handle. I just wish He didn't trust me so much.
  
• Intense love does not measure, it just gives.
  
• It's not how much we give, but how much love we put into giving.
  
• Kind words can be short and easy to speak, but their echoes are truly endless.
• I'm a little pencil in the hand of a writing God, who is sending a love letter to the world.
• I can do things you cannot, you can do things I cannot; together we can do great things.
  
• The fruit of faith is love, and the fruit of love is service.
  
• The hunger for love is much more difficult to remove than the hunger for bread.
  

Gift This.

While recently doing some of the LoveIs work stuff (God has given us second location to start helping – YAY) a young girl gave me a gift in return for us coming out. It was a gift I most assuredly already had (of sorts) but by her giving it to me brought some sort of full circle significance to all that God has made real in my life over the past almost three years … it was a Bible. How funny that she, this girl who I have never seen - never had very any conversation with (other than the chat about 15 minutes before about who we are and the work we do in L5P), before I left to leave ran to give me a KJV Bible and speak with me on the comfort of Crocs (admittedly, I just don’t get them people.. but are they REALLY as cloud-like as everyone says?).

It reminded me of the scripture in Isaiah …

The word had been given out through-out the years to the people on the corner, and it was coming back to me in a simple gesture by whom might all accounts be an angel is disguise (yes, I totally believe in that sort of thing) by someone in locale 2 (it was our third time serving there).

We, as believers of Yeshua, all have been given a gift and have therefore have a gift to share …

So, Merry Christmas, as those who see me on the day to day hear so often. You’ve gotten your gift, now it is time to share it with the world!

Tick Tock On The Clock

As I am nearing my 30^th birthday (which is a lot less scarier then I imagined it would be 5 years ago), in combination with hearing multiple tales of young lives lost due to various tragedies recently, and a few other things the Lord has REALLY been pressing upon me the importance of time.

Recently, I saw a church sign in Cedartown, GA that read, “The only thing you can’t get back is time”. Which is so very true, but not something we really think about as we are sitting in front of a computer or television watching meaningless programs or playing attention grabbing video games as the clock hand continues to move on around. Of course we do all need downtime, to recharge, regroup and rest, but we shouldn’t trade chilling for getting stuff done that has to be done … or that which has been given to us as extra work from God.

If it sounds as if I am getting a little bit personal I am, with myself. Years ago (if you have ever heard one of the interviews that have been done for the blog you know this) I began writing devotionals in response to lessons that God was teaching me. I figured that if I had to learn, others did too. I had the curl of a hardheaded, independent teenager/young adult at that time, but through the years I have learned that it is valid, as we are all to grow together as a family of believers. So if you feel any conviction, don’t look to me to – look to the one who is steadily working to transform us into more holy (like Yeshua) people all the time.

For me, I began getting convicted when I received an answer to a prayer. Though I had been given this blessing, it did require work on my part, but I was not putting forth the time in order to enact this gift to its potential. As I pondered this blessing, wondering how I was going to get it done in the time I had while sleepily closing my eyes this verse came upon my audio bible, Proverbs 20:13 “Love not sleep, lest you come to poverty; open your eyes, and you will have plenty of bread”. I realized in that moment that for weeks, sleep had become my priority; this is why I felt like I had no time anymore to get things done. I was closing my eyes to the world almost to equal (if not more-so) to the amount in which they were open. Face palm!

So to finish were we started, we only have so many seconds, minutes, hours, days, years, etc. on this Earth until the Father calls us home. No one knows the exact time they will be here, but we must make the most of the time we have been given. We have all been born with a plan and purpose for our lives, and it is up to us to make sure we are available to carry out that, whenever our instruction(s) is given.

As I recently heard from someone, “There are days I long to go home to Heaven, as I dislike this world, but I think about all of the people who are lost, what if was able to go home earlier and because of me they didn’t get shared the gospel?”

Check out some other verses on time and time-management.

May you all be blessed as you go through-out your days, ever living for and showing the love of our Savior, Yeshua – Jesus Christ.

My Love Story [A Testimony] by Grace Rabia Wood Smith

I am delighted to call this woman a sister in Christ, uplifter and friend, and additionally that she allowed me to share this here. You can find this lovely lady on Facebook, if you would like to reach out to her directly. SIC!

My love story

I was born and raised in Durban, South Africa into a very strict Islamic household. My mother was and still is the religious leader in our community. She converts people to Islam and runs a Madrasah (Islamic school) out of her home.

One of my earliest memories is being at Islamic school, covered from head to toe, reading the Quran. I remember distinctly sitting on my mother’s lap reciting the Quran and every time, I got to a particular phrase that I could not remember, and I was beat continuously. That’s when the fear began. I had to be perfect. Because I wanted to please my parents, I became one of her best students. My mother was so proud of me and there was constant chatter that I would continue this family legacy when she passed away.

In 1995 I came to the United States to attend University. In 1998 I had my first supernatural experience with God that completely transformed my life. That is the day that I realized that Jesus maybe more than just a Prophet. (In Islam Jesus is revered as of the Major Prophets.) I remained in a state of confusion and turmoil for 8 years. Could my entire life be a lie? I kept asking myself how this could be. I didn’t know who I was anymore! I had to find out! But, I was afraid to denounce Islam because of my family. Fear and loyalty had been imputed into me. As I child I would always say, “I was born a Muslim and I’ll die a Muslim.” I struggled to wrap my head around the fact that Jesus was God. It was against everything I was ever taught! Deep down inside, I knew that Jesus was way more special than what I was taught. He just felt right! But fear had a stronger hold. This was the beginning of my spiritual journey.

In June of 2006, I had another experience with God and He revealed to me in a vision: Proverbs, 3:5-6 5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; 6 in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight. [a]. There was no more doubt! I believed with all my heart! I wanted the world to know On June 13th, 2006 I was baptized.

My life has changed drastically since I have been born again! Has it been a smooth transition? Absolutely not! Was my family accepting of my conversion? No, they were not. During the early years, did I ever consider going back to Islam? NO! Never entertained that thought! You see, God became a very close companion. He was so real to me! He delighted in me! I did not know much back then, but I was certain of one thing: He loved me! I had never experienced a love like this! He was always near! We were in constant fellowship. I fell madly and deeply in love!

I began to meditate on the WORD of God and my mindset began to change. I learnt my rights in Christ! I became Christ conscious! I knew my identity! My mind was renewed! The fear that had bound me my entire life; left me! I knew who I was and the more I studied the Word, the stronger I became. The Word had taken root in my Spirit. I began to eat the Word veraciously! My thirst for the Word became unquenchable! I simply CAN NOT get enough!

One of my favorite scriptures is Hebrews 4:12, “that the Word of God is alive and active, sharper than any two edged sword, it penetrates even dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart”. This scripture really touches me deeply. You see no matter what walk of life you come from or what your past looks like, you are now a new creation in Christ. This Word of God, builds, breaks, removes, cleans, fixes, empowers, transforms and molds you into who God says you are. When this Word gets into your spirit, remnants of your past will not be visible. Your life becomes a wonder! No longer will you be bound by the opinion of man. The Word of God establishes you! I am unashamedly in love! A woman after Gods own heart, just like David. I would change nothing, irrespective of all the relationships I’ve lost. I’ve gained so much more!

The Verse That I Didn't Know Existed ...

Admittedly, I haven't read all of the Bible. As I typed that I could almost hear a gasp from some readers, but alas it is - what it is. However, a week or so ago I was pinning my heart away (seriously, Pinterest is the bomb) and stumbled across one that made me give this in real life O_O. Of course, I have listened to all the Proverbs (the Bible app from LifeChurchTV is also the bomb), so I know it is one that I must have heard, but it didn't resonate with me.. until now. This verse was from Proverbs 29:11 and read...

A fool vents all his feelings,

But a wise man holds them back.

Ouch! I would be a liar - liar pants on FIRE if I said this verse didn't cut to the core of me. I am guilty of it, I admit it. I have "talked about it, more than praying out it" before. However, to be called a fool just struck a cord with me. I mean who wants to be a fool? Ummm, it is one thing to get a baby child like chatty with your bestie, it is another to be called out for being well stupid by the word of God, eh? 

However the core message of this is simple, why talk about it with people who can't do ANYTHING, when there is one (the Father) who is capable of handling any and all situations? Or at least that is my take on it. I am  going through some of my own lessons at the moment about the importance of prayer / i.e. communicating with the Father, so I know it was He who ultimately brought this verse across my pinboard. 

Yet, that is all I will say on the verse, here is the entire chapter for your review. May you be enlightened, encouraged and enriched as you read it. 

Proverbs 29

¹He who is often rebuked, and hardens his neck, Will suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy.

² When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice; But when a wicked man rules, the people groan.

³ Whoever loves wisdom makes his father rejoice, But a companion of harlots wastes his wealth.

⁴ The king establishes the land by justice, But he who receives bribes overthrows it.

⁵ A man who flatters his neighbor Spreads a net for his feet.

⁶ By transgression an evil man is snared, But the righteous sings and rejoices.

⁷ The righteous considers the cause of the poor, But the wicked does not understand such knowledge.

⁸ Scoffers set a city aflame, But wise men turn away wrath.

⁹ If a wise man contends with a foolish man, Whether the fool rages or laughs, there is no peace.

¹⁰ The bloodthirsty hate the blameless, But the upright seek his well-being.

¹¹ A fool vents all his feelings, But a wise man holds them back.

¹² If a ruler pays attention to lies, All his servants become wicked.

¹³ The poor man and the oppressor have this in common: The Lord gives light to the eyes of both.

¹⁴ The king who judges the poor with truth, His throne will be established forever.

¹⁵ The rod and rebuke give wisdom, But a child left to himself brings shame to his mother.

¹⁶ When the wicked are multiplied, transgression increases; But the righteous will see their fall.

¹⁷ Correct your son, and he will give you rest; Yes, he will give delight to your soul.

¹⁸ Where there is no revelation, the people cast off restraint; But happy is he who keeps the law.

¹⁹ A servant will not be corrected by mere words; For though he understands, he will not respond.

²⁰ Do you see a man hasty in his words? There is more hope for a fool than for him.

²¹ He who pampers his servant from childhood Will have him as a son in the end.

²² An angry man stirs up strife, And a furious man abounds in transgression.

²³ A man’s pride will bring him low, But the humble in spirit will retain honor.

²⁴ Whoever is a partner with a thief hates his own life; He swears to tell the truth, but reveals nothing.

²⁵ The fear of man brings a snare, But whoever trusts in the Lord shall be safe.

²⁶ Many seek the ruler’s favor, But justice for man comes from the Lord.

²⁷ An unjust man is an abomination to the righteous, And he who is upright in the way is an abomination to the wicked.