The Between Times

“Happy day after Christmas

Merry rest of the year

Even when Christmas is over

The Light of the world is still here”

Song by Matthew West

“When the song of angels is stilled

When the star in the sky is gone

When the kings and princes are home

When the shepherds are back with their flock

The work of Christmas begins

To find the lost, to heal the broken

To feed the hungry, free the prisoners

To rebuild nations, to bring peace among brothers

To make music in the heart”

            Poem by Alfred Thurman

It may be time to put away the Christmas decorations, but DO NOT put away your Christmas spirit.  Keep it all year!

~Aging Gracefully

This is a time I look forward to each year.  The week between Christmas and the new year is one to reflect, remember, prioritize, complete projects, pack up decorations, clean, organize, and prepare for a new year.  There is something refreshing about having a clean slate to begin a new year.  It is a reminder that as the calendar is beginning to fill in that before I commit to saying “Yes” to something I consider what I am saying “No” to in the process.  In gratitude to God for His indescribable gift of Jesus, may the work of Christmas not be lost or forgotten as we intentionally prepare for and live out a new year.  May it be a priority that all we say and do be for His glory.  And may we live with the spirit of Christmas all year long.

Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.

Psalm 90:12

May these words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.

Psalm 19:14

So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.

1 Corinthians 10:31

Not to us, Lord, not to us, but to your name be the glory, because of your love and faithfulness.

Psalm 115:1

Savoring the Savior of the Season

The perfect motive is that

God so loved the world.

The perfect gift is that He

gave His only Son.

The only requirement is

to believe in Him.

The reward of faith

is that you shall have

Everlasting Life!

~ Corrie ten Boom

In addition to the regular activities and events of the days and weeks, people have been busy decorating houses/offices, sending cards, shopping for the “right gift”, wrapping presents, attending parties and programs, and giving gifts.  Because of the hustle and bustle of these days, our full attention and desire are needed in order to keep CHRIST the focus and center of Christmas.  We’ve been reminded of the reason of the season with programs at our grandchildren’s schools, messages and music at church, books we’ve read, conversations, and intentionally taking and making the time to slow down and reflect on the purpose of celebrating Christmas.  It has been a blessing to see our grandchildren being taught and experiencing the joy of giving as well as receiving gifts. Gifts from the heart are the best.  God gave us the best gift of all by sending His Son Jesus to be the Savior of the world.  As we respond in worship and praise to God for His goodness, may our gratitude spill over to others in the giving of our time, attention, service, actions, and love.  And may the Savior and memories of these days be ones we treasure every season.

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

John 3:16

“She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.”

Matthew 1:21

Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.

James 1:17

Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!

2 Corinthians 9:15

For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

 Romans 6:23

Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.

I Peter 4:10

…remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: “It is more blessed to give than receive.”

Acts 20:35b

To Ponder, Take to Heart, and Apply

Sometimes a few words can cause one to ponder, take to heart, apply the lesson learned, and make a difference in thoughts, words, actions, and reactions.  

“Christmas begins with CHRIST.”

“At Bethlehem, He is God WITH us.

   At Calvary He proved that He is God FOR us.

      At Pentecost, He became God IN us.” ~ Mark Batterson 

“Each of us is an INNKEEPER who decides if there is room for JESUS.”  Neal A. Maxwell 

“Wise men still seek him.”

“Follow your heart, but take your brain with you.”

“Sometimes the greatest gift you can give another person is to simply include them.”

“The son of God became a man to enable men to become sons of God.”  C.S. Lewis 

“Make your life not about achieving a certain list of things by a certain age, but about bringing glory to God in whatever you do with whatever doors he opens.”  #QWCDEVOS 

“Don’t ask God to guide your footsteps…if you’re not willing to move your feet.”

“If you want God to close and open doors, let go of the door knob.” ~ TOBEYMAC#SPEAKLIFE 

“Leaves on trees aren’t the only thing to change.  We, too, need to change and bring God glory.” Dr. Duane Brooks 

“A child is going to remember who was there, not what you spent on them.  Kids outgrow a toy & outfits but they never outgrow time and love.”   Minion Top Quotes 

“Life is not being rich, being popular, being highly educated or being perfect.  It is about being real, being humble and being kind.”

“Don’t count the days.  Make the days count.”

“Our wreaths and ribbons and colored lights, our giving of gifts, our parties with friends – these have never been ends in themselves.  They are but small ways in which we repeat that sounding joy first proclaimed by angels in the skies near Bethlehem.  …As we decorate our tree, as we feast and laugh together, we are rehearsing our coming joy!” from “Every Moment Holy” 

“May we never forget WHO Christmas is really about.”

“The voice of peace is the voice of truth.  Know the truth and the truth shall set you free.”

“While you are wrapping your presents, remember you are wrapped in His presence."  

 Dr. Duane Brooks 

“Thank you Jesus for coming to us as a baby that first Christmas Day.  Help us to remember your birth so that we may share in the song of the Angels, the gladness of the Shepherds, and worship of the Wisemen.” 

No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love him.

 1 Corinthians 2:9 

Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free. 

John 8:32 

Praise the LORD, my soul,

     and forget not all his benefits. 

Psalm 103:2