Joyful Heart

In December, as Christmas day draws nearer, there is an anticipation.

Each December, we enjoy our activity countdown to Christmas- sometimes on a countdown chain, sometimes tucked inside our advent nativity calendar. 

We look forward to crafts…

an annual family game…

singing carols…

completing our nightly star chart…

and making yummy Christmas treats!

Is our family simply looking forward to the gifts, the special holiday treats, sights of Christmas lights strung from the housetops and on trees, a time off from regular school work, enjoyable activities and crafts as a family, a chance to be with family and friends? 

Those are all good things.  And so, from the outside one might say, ‘Yes. They are just making memories!’  We do pray that these young minds and hearts are developing precious memories to carry with them as they age, but also SO MUCH MORE.  We desire for there to be depth to our childrens’ memories – looking past the actual crafts with the shimmering glitter and splattered paint, through the yummy Christmas treat experiments, around the daily countdown, over the gifts that begin to appear beneath the tree ….. and straight to the cross.

For, in the midst of all the activity, we try to focus on the ‘why’ of the season. 
Why do we celebrate Christmas? 
Why is there so much fuss over the coming of one certain day each year? 

Because in the midst of a dark world, God chose to send His Son to bring us Light
– to BE the Light.
While we were darkened and trapped by our rebellion and sins,
God sent His One and Only Son into the world to redeem us
– to save us from our sins.

No, the Bible doesn’t tell us that Jesus was born on December 25.  But, we take this time to reflect on the humble birth of our heavenly King, the LIGHT of the world.  He is the GIFT, the PROMISE that everyone in the Jewish world was anticipating, and the HOPE that our hearts and souls desperately need. 

The Light for a dark world…

1 John 1:9
The true light that gives light to every man was coming into the world.

 
May we set our hearts on Him.

Isaiah 60:1-3

Arise, shine, for your light has come,
   and the glory of the LORD rises upon you.
See, darkness covers the earth
   and thick darkness is over the peoples,
but the LORD rises upon you
   and his glory appears over you.
Nations will come to your light,
   and kings to the brightness of your dawn.

HAPPY FATHER’S DAY!!!!

From your beautiful 9 year old…
Thank you for giving the best hugs ever!
Thank you for taking me out to lunch.
Thank you for spending time with me.
Thank you for loving me.
Thank you for doing morning devotions with me.
Thank you for praying for me.

From your lovely 7 year old…
Thank you for all the things you do!
Thank you for playing with us.
Thank you for giving hugs and kisses.
Thank you for teaching me to ride my bike.

From your handsome 5 year old…
Thank you for being my daddy – because I love you!
Thank you for giving me hugs.

From your energetic 3 year old…
Thank you for being my daddy.
Thank you for playing trains and Super Why with me.
Thank you for reading to me.

From your adorable 1 year old… (Well, what we thought he might say =) )
Thank you for playing trains and ‘cooking’ with me.
Thank you for giving me food.
Thank you for encouraging me to walk.

From your bride…
Thank you for your love and dedication to our family.
Thank you for being an example of grace to the children and for pointing all of us to our Heavenly Father.

We love you!!!!

I snapped this photo as two of our girls were joyfully singing parts of ‘Christ is Risen’ after they retold the Easter story with the felt pieces.  Priceless!

portions of ‘Christ is Risen’ by Matt Maher…
Christ is risen from the dead, trampling over death by death.
Come awake. Come awake.  Come and rise up from the grave.
Christ is risen from the dead.  We are one with Him again.
Come awake. Come awake.  Come and rise up from the grave.

Oh death, where is your sting?
Oh hell, where is your victory?
Oh church!  Come stand in the light!
Our God is not dead.  He’s alive! He’s alive!

For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance:
that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures,
that he was buried,
that he was raised on the third day
according to the Scriptures
(1 Corinthians 15:3-4)

Jesus said to her,
“I am the resurrection and the life.
He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; 
and whoever lives and believes in me will never die.
Do you believe this?”
(John 11:25-26)

Happy Easter!

I’ve recently posted about our family memorizing Luke 2 and the birth of Christ which are great ways to look past the shopping, the gifts, and the food to prepare, in order to just slow down and focus our hearts and mind on the true meaning of Christmas.  However, it seems as though the older I get, the more I see Christmas not so much as the miraculous birth of Christ (which it definitely is), but more of the unfolding of God’s great plan and His deep love for us.

At this time of year, the question begs to be asked, ‘Why did God send His Son into the world?’  This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.  (1 John 4:9-10)

Yes, Jesus had a miraculous coming into this world, but He was born to die…for us.  Christmas is so much more than the birth of the baby.  It is about the cross that Christ grew up to carry.  His obedience to the Father.  His deep love for us, even while we were still sinners.  Jesus willingly left His heavenly throne to redeem His people.

Praise be to the Lord, the God of Israel, because he has come and has redeemed his people. He has raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David…  (Luke 1:68-69)

When we celebrate Christmas — the birth of Christ and God’s great love for us, I can’t help but also reflect upon Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection.  At Christmas, we are truly rejoicing in the birth of our Savior – the One who has come to save us from our sins,  the Almighty, All powerful, King of  Kings, eternal God.  To Him belongs all glory, honor, and praise.

Wonderful Cross
Lyrics and song by Michael W. Smith

When I survey the wondrous cross
On which the Prince of Glory died
My Richest gain I count but loss
And pour contempt on all my pride

See from His head His hands His feet
Sorrow and love flow mingled down
Did ever such love and sorrow meet
Or thorns compose so rich a crown

Oh the wonderful cross (2x)
Bids me come and die and find
that I may truly live
Oh the wonderful cross (2x)
All who gather here by grace
draw near and bless your name

Were the whole realm of nature mine
That were an offering far too small
Love so amazing so divine
Demands my soul, my life, my all

Love so amazing, so divine
Demands my soul, my life, my all
and the beauty and the shame
in the glory of His name

I saw this video shared on Facebook the other day and hesitantly clicked on the link.  I was skeptical at first, but as I watched I began to get goose bumps.  It is based off of the accounts in Matthew 1 and Luke 1-2 from the Bible.  It was very creatively done, taking the account of the birth of Christ and all the related events -bringing them to life with the likely real emotions  that accompanied each.  The joy at the end with the typing of  “It’s a Boy!” and “His name shall be Jesus.” are overpowering. 

Rejoice!  For our Savior has come!

This is just one of several Christmas videos that Igniter Media has created.  The ‘Paradox of Christmas’ and ‘Retooning the Nativity’ are two others that I thought were well done also.