"The "perfect" Christmas isn't about presents, but about His Presence."
As soon as I read that I realized that I had the perfect Christmas. Holidays are always a difficult time for me. My life is so very far from perfect and there is often a strong sting in my heart during holidays.
The Christmas message preached at church the Sunday before Christmas was Do Not Fear, based on what the angel said to Mary when he delivered the news that she would carry the Christ child. The message spoke a lot to my own heart about my own personal circumstances.
On Christmas morning, I turned on my computer to check my email. I had received my daily devotion from Today's Turning Point with David Jeremiah. The title was No More Fear, followed by this scripture...
Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand. Isaiah 41:10
I didn't realize until that moment, how much I needed to hear that from Him but as soon as I did I broke down in tears. Tears of joy not sadness, because I had His Presence, and His Presence stayed with me throughout the day and into the night.
Yes, I had the perfect Christmas. Did you?
Oh Lord forgive me that I am not always seeking to be in your Presence as I should. Thank you for revealing yourself to me on the day I would celebrate your Birth. You are an Amazing God. I love you with all that is within me. Please help me to live my life to bring glory to your Name. The Name above all names, Jesus Christ. My Lord and my King. - Amen
Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind ~ Luke 10:27
29 comments:
AGAIN, I ask you...Are you talking to me? SO many of your posts speak to me. I, also, am not at my best during holidays. Between the typical holiday stress and the worry that things at home won't go well....I end up feeling the opposite of what the holiday should bring.
I'm glad you had your presence. May we all remember that He is there just waiting for us to look to Him.
Wow, I just noticed that Lea commented on your last post 3 minutes after you posted it, and I did the same on this.
Do you feel like we're stalking you?? lol
Hi Edie!!
I know exactly what you're talking about!!
I spent a portion of CHRISTmas Day in tears also, and thus the tears of joy!!
It has not always been this way though. Many years of pain, turmoil and sadness until I got to this point.
Do the tears of sadness still come? Sometimes--but not as frequently or as overwhelmingly as before. Instead of crying to myself, I cry out to Jesus, and He is my comfort.
Sometimes I forget and have a little pity party--oops!! But, they don't last nearly as long now, and that in itself is a blessing!!
Beth
Hey fellow pilgrim!
Just wanted to comment on here in case you missed the comment on my blog...Happy New Year to you as well!! Love ya!
Edie,
Hi! I love that Isaiah verse. It is always good to remember that God is over us, one hundred percent, all the time. I am glad that God gave you that special present of himself this year. As for the ornaments I talked about earlier, I found out what their names meant and then put the key word into the BibleGateway word search and picked the best verse that went with it : my name means Messenger of God, so I did "How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news", although I knew that verse already. It was a fun project. I love Chip Ingram. Have you ever done a study by him or have you just heard him speak? His radio ministry was a big part of what God used to bring me to him. Well, I hope you have a good day!
Angela
Funny, God was talking to me about fear today. I'm glad you had an awesome Christmas. I pray that carries over into the new year!
BTW, Tammy's blog looks great.
Our message was; where is the peace on earth? It goes along with your message about fear. People are in fear these days because of all of the violence in the world. Everywhere you look there is violence and chaos. Everywhere but one place. Inside us. And to keep the peace inside us all we have to do is let Jesus come inside too. So even if our world is crashing down around us we can have inner peace by accepting Jesus.
Try it, it works.
Edie, it is always about His Presence. God with us. Sometimes...ok...many times I see circumstances instead of Him. I did have a good Christmas. The tea party was a big part of it for me. Please pray for direction for me. I am a little fuzzy on some things. Thanks, you are a light to many. B
A beautiful post. May your New Year be blessed and filled with the peace of God all year long.
AliceE.
There is plenty to fear in our world today apart from Christ. Take away all the glamour and glitter of Christmas but please leave me Christ. Truly the perfect Christmas.
I'm so glad God spoke to you just when you needed it most. He is so awesome. I think we'll find that most people don't have the "perfect Christmas" that we think they do. We just all think everyone else does, so we pretend we do too.
Thanks for being transparent and letting everyone know that there is Peace on earth...and his name is Jesus.
Praise the LORD!
Yes, with JESUS as our gift I had the perfect CHRISTmas.
Bless you and Happy New Year.
Yes, our Christmas was perfect because we also experience the presence of Christ. This past year has been rough for us, but we are learning not to fear - because God has never let us down.
That's a cause to rejoice. I'm glad you found the peace that surpasses understanding on Christmas.
I prayed so hard for strength for Christmas. I had some rough weeks before, missing my husband. I had a good Christmas, as my prayers were answered and the Lord was at my side!
Edie,
Sometimes I read what you posted and I go to comment and I erase everything I wrote to you....why? I think you and I have somewhat parallel thinking/lives/something...see I want to erase that. I'm going to try and send this comment.
This spoke to my heart again. The post where you talked about your sibling spoke way way way to me. There were many years where I raised my younger siblings.
And I have a great sense of loss around this time of year through February...for many reasons...I have to press in close to the Lord to let Him cover me to survive it.
I truly don't know how people survive without Him. Blessings to you. I'm so glad He spoke to you and gave you comfort...only He can.
Hugs to you, my friend.
Hi Edie, thanks for visiting my blog and again for the free scripture tag!
I am so happy and blessed to hear that the little bit of my story touched you in some way... and although what ever your heart was or is going thru doesn't relate to my current fertility issues I can't help but to smile & giggle just a bit.... because only God can do something like that.... to bring two unrelated stories together yet still touch His children's hearts with the same message.
He is so very good to us. And tho I do not know your details, I rejoice for you as you listen to Him and take His comforts to the center of our being- the heart.
May the Lord bless you this night!
Thanks again :O)
Because of our family history (which you're on your way to reading in my other blog) I use to live in fear every Christmas season, it always lasted for well over a week.
But no more. Thank God that was removed from our family's life so we could all have a perfect Christmas. It sure feels good to wake up on Christmas morning knowing, God is in control and no one else.
Great post Dear Edie :)
Love
Sharon
What a precious gem of a reminder, my friend. He never is old hat, is He? Fresh and new every day. What a sweet Blessing He gave you.
I love the presence/presents analogy. Perfect. :-)
Hey Sistah!!
You are such a blessing and I wanted to wish you a Happy New Year and I know the best is yet to come for you and the enemy cannot consume you with fear because greater is he that is in you than he who is the world. Keep saying.. Victory is mine in 2009 *smile*.
Luv Ya Lorie
I love this post, and I think you wrote this to me.
Happy New Year my friend looking forward to sharing more of God's word with you next year
God Bless
Sharon
Hi Edie,
It's a beautiful post and full of His Presence....
Love, Debra
Hey Edie,
HIS presence....
I was thinking about what we talked about and then reading this post ...
well; it brings clearer vision even this morning.
His presence, and His will...
That's what we want... and need.
L
Hey Edie,
Just stopping by to wish you and your family a HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!
So blessed I've met you here.
Great word on fear, I will overcome!!!
Blessings♥
Hi Edie!
Thanks for adding me to your blogroll.
I will email you about some blog work.
Melanie@Bella~Mella
I just wanted to wish you a HAPPY NEW YEAR!!
I'll talk to you NEXT YEAR!!! Wooo!
I loved this blog... Thank you Edie... And thank you for being open...
Love,
Tracy
hi; just found your journal! I like your insights given to you by the Lord! I did have a perfect Christmas! it was a different Christmas from years past but it was the bestest of ones!
looking forward to reading more of what the Lord has in store for you in this new year!
betty
Edie, As my daughter and I watched "Facing the Giants" for the umpteenth time last night, UGA football coach Mark Richt reminds fictional SCU football coach Grant Taylor that "Fear Not" is recorded in the Bible 365 times.
Now, I haven't confirmed that myself with a manual count, but my daughter turned to me with wide eyes and said, "Mom, every day of the year, God is reminding us not to be afraid!"
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