Preparing for Christmas

 

"Christmas contains many spiritual truths,

but it will be hard to grasp the others unless

we grasp this one first. That is that the world

is a dark place and we will never find our way

or see reality unless Jesus is our Light.”

~ Tim Keller

 

 

Let the lights remind you:

darkness doesn’t win.

A Savior has come.

~ Shameka Daniels

 

 

“Don’t let hurry rush you past

the holy of this sacred season.”

~ Patsy Clairmont

 

 

“Believe like Mary

Trust like Joseph

Hope like Shepherds

Seek like Wisemen

Praise like Angels

Love like Jesus”

 

 

“Advent teaches us to wait

well, not passively, but with a

heart anchored in hope.”

~ gatheredhomeandkin

 

 

“The good news of

Christmas is that the God

of the Bible is the God of

grace, who comes into

the darkness and

emptiness of our hearts

to bring His light, His joy,

and His peace.”

~ Alistair Begg

 

 

“Christmas is God

giving us

a piece of His heart –

His own son,

Jesus.”

~ Stacy Sanchez

 

 

“Christmas is the story of

God’s perfect love – a love

so deep, He sent His Son

to be with us. In a world

searching for hope, His

love is the gift that

changes everything.”

~ Faith,Grace,Truth

 

 

“Christmas is the season

where hope takes root in

the waiting, reminding us

that the same God who

sent a Savior will fulfill

every promise in His

perfect time.”

~ Faith Grace Truth

 

 

“IN THE QUIET OF ADVENT, MAY WE

HEAR THE WHISPER OF HEAVEN:

‘Love is on its way.”

~ Jennifer Dukeslee

 

 

Each of us is an innkeeper

who decides if there

is room for Jesus.

~ Neal Maxwell

 

 

“We aren’t called

to just hear about Jesus;

we are called

to come and see.”

~ heartprintsofGod

 

 

During these days, may we take the time to remember and celebrate that Jesus is the reason for the season and the greatest gift of all.

 

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Romans 15:13 

Thoughtful Deeds in Action

Ms. Doris lives in a memory care home near Wylie, Texas. Recently, Ashley and Nathan Dame took their A Cappella Choir to places around Dallas to sing carols and visit with the residents. At the last center, as the choir began to sing, they noticed Ms. Doris was lightly conducting the students from her walker. After the song, Nathan asked her if she had been a choir director. When she said she had, he offered for her to direct the singers in their next song. Doris was so excited for the opportunity to direct again. Afterwards, Ms. Doris told the choir and directors, “I’ll feel this moment for the rest of my life. I may not remember from day to day, but I’ll remember in my heart and my arms.”

While shopping at Dollar Tree, Robyn Arnold was behind a lady, with three carts full of toiletries, in the checkout line. Out of curiosity, Robyn asked the lady about the items. She mentioned that she was filling care packages to send to Kenya. Robin gave the woman $20 and asked if she could take her picture to show her third-grade students, in hopes that they would be encouraged to do random acts of kindness, too.

 

Michelle Stephenson’s mother-in-law spends hours, throughout the year, collecting and buying baby dolls. She cleans them and then sews new clothes for the dolls. During December, she donates the dolls for little girls in need. This year Mrs. Stephenson will gift over 200 dolls.

 

Morris kept an old rusted umbrella stand outside the barbershop entrance. Beside it was a sign stating, “Take one if it’s raining. Return it when you can. Or don’t.” Morris’ customers and the people in town warned him that the umbrellas would be stolen. They were right. The first week all were taken. Morris bought six more. After a few months, something changed. A businessman returned the umbrella he had borrowed and added two more to the stand. A grandmother donated four. A student returned the one he had used with a thank you note. There were now over thirty umbrellas in the stand. People now took time to speak to each other around the umbrella stand. Last month Morris had a stroke and had to close the barbershop. The umbrella stand stayed. The people in town have repainted the sign and are keeping the stand well stocked. At 72, Morris is recovering and making a difference in his community, one umbrella at a time.

 

Especially during this busy season, may our thoughts and intentions turn into action.

 

And as for you, brothers and sisters, never tire of doing what is good.

2 Thessalonians 3:13

Warm Hearts

 

An early snow was expected. Amanda’s son had outgrown his coat, even though he wore it that week. Tuesday would be his first time to wear his new jacket. When Amanda picked up her children, her older daughter, Jozlynn, mentioned that another boy was wearing Adam’s coat. She assumed it was one that looked like her son’s coat. Later that evening, her daughter commented again about the coat. Jozlynn said Adam had given it away. When questioned, Adam stated, “My friend did not have a warm enough coat to play outside.” Since he still had his old coat in his locker, and it fit his friend, he told him to keep it so he wouldn’t be cold while he waited for the bus. Amanda said, “This story is not about judging anyone. It is about celebrating how our children care for each other.”

Marshall is 70 years old and for the past 13 years he has delivered propane for Mountain Gas Company. Customers call in, order, pay, and then Marshall delivers. As he drove by, he realized that the older couple that lived in the farmhouse on Miller Road had not made a recent order. Marshall stopped, checked the tank, and it showed zero. With the snow and freezing temperatures, he knocked on the door. The older lady came to the door shivering, with blue lips. She explained that their check didn’t come for three more days. It would cost $640 to fill the 20- gallon tank. That’s when Marshall announced that, “The system shows you prepaid. Must’ve been last month’s payment. Computer glitches happen.” The lady cried as he began to fill the tank. That’s when Marshall began checking the tanks for the family with a sick child and the disabled veteran. His savings account was taking a hit as he would “Prepay” their accounts. It wasn’t long before the dispatcher noticed, “Marshall, six deliveries show prepaid but no payments received.” He thought he was going to lose his job, even though he had made the payments. The dispatcher handed Marshall an envelope. “Drivers took a collection. My grandmother froze to death in her home. Couldn’t afford fuel. Keep people warm.” The company started a fund, “Marshall’s Warmth,” to help when needed. The community also contributes. Last week the elderly couple called. “Marshall, we saved up.” They handed him $640 “For your next family facing the cold.”

 

Whatever the season, may we have warm hearts that look for and find ways to help others.

 

Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.

Philippians 2:3-4