go and tell it on the mountains-
Jesus is born!

as i sit here and try to pen down my Christmas thoughts, my heart is overwhelmed. i picture mary and joseph in that damp, dark manger on that first Christmas night as they cradled their newborn baby with only a single stream of light from that special star. a multitude of the heavenly hosts sang an angelic chorus that night. glory, hallelujah, peace on earth, goodwill to men. wise men came from afar with gold, frankincense and myrrh. the shepherds came and fell down at the feet of this one, small child. and i think of how this one child bore the weight of the world on his shoulders. in the words of simeon, when he saw baby Jesus He praised God and said "my eyes have seen Your salvation."

isaiah 9:6 is the verse of the day on Bible gateway. Pastor's msg today revolved around this verse - 'unto us a Son is born.' what a precious, precious, special thought. every Christmas is different, and yet the same. as i grow older each year, the reality of the Lord's promises become even more evident to me, and i am seeing His hand of providence in so many aspects of my life. as i get older, life gets SO much more complicated. people change, and they fail you so very, very often. and i was reminded of my perspective of life [which is also thea's perspective (haha)] that every man is an island. and while i still do struggle with allowing the Lord to be my sufficiency now and then, to be content in Him gives a peace that is unattainable any other way.

'I am with you.' this phrase becomes even more special on Christmas day. for God became a Man. riches to rags. throne to a manger. and i do believe.

my heart is filled with a mix of fear and excitement as the new year draws near. fear because i dont know what to expect, but excitement as i embark on a new year of ministry and learn to serve in different ways. this year has taught me many lessons. ive learnt not to lean on the unreliable. ive learnt to guard my heart. ive learnt to seek the special presence of the Lord. im learning to cultivate a big heart. and all these lessons have steeled me to face what lies ahead.

as i prepare to step into the new year, i am reminded yet again of how blessed i am. good family, great church family, the Lord and my faith. i am living a life much fuller than many people ive met, a life that is constantly rejuvenated by hope. and though sometimes people damage you, at the end of the road He is standing, with arms open wide, and light to overpower the darkness. (:

dont sleep like Bethlehem did that first Christmas night when they failed to recognize their Savior.
see this little baby boy that was born to live, suffer and die, and save humanity.
merry Christmas, friends. (: