Did the weather not get the memo??

In case you're not in Houston this Christmas Eve, it's 80 degrees today.  The news bulletin on TV this morning said that today might be the "warmest Christmas ever" with people all over the country experiencing historically high temperatures for this time of year (somewhere Al Gore's head is exploding).  Did the weather not get the memo that it's Christmastime?  Maybe not, but Christmas is here anyway.  Fortunately for us, God's providence does not depend on the weather.

Maybe the weather isn't your issue this season.  Maybe your mood didn't get the Christmastime memo either.  Maybe your checkbook missed it as well.  Maybe your children aren't old enough to understand "peace on earth" and are currently in the other room taking turns shoving each other off the couch until someone cries.  (No??  Just mine?  Huh.)

But Christmas has come anyway.  "It came without ribbons, it came without tags!  It came without packages, boxes or bags!"  Despite our circumstances Christmas comes anyway.  CHRIST comes anyway.

"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.  For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him."  John 3:16-17

And saved we are!  Saved from the darkness, the evil murmurs in the shadows that tell us we aren't good enough, don't have enough and aren't doing it right.  Saved from the burden of having to produce a perfect holiday and instead just rejoicing that we have perfect Savior.  For the fullness of God's love comes to us anyway, wherever we are, in whatever state our hearts might be in. 

Warm Christmas wishes to you, sweet family and friends....literally! 

XOXO....Kelly

 
 

Donald, the Large Inflatable Dachshund

Joy is a 6.5' inflatable dachshund left anonymously in your front yard by a wonderful friend.  I mean, seriously, whose spirits could not immediately be lifted when driving by our house?!  Flamingos, a pink moose, a manger silhouette and now this.

You're welcome, next door neighbor, whose house is currently on the market.  Just a little something extra to offer prospective buyers....us as neighbors.  I really should charge you some commission, but I won't.  It's the holidays after all.  It is in giving we truly receive....

A few years ago, the evening following the Sandy Hook shooting in CT, someone knocked on our front door.  It had been a horrible long and sad day, every news story on the TV, radio and internet related to the unspeakable tragedy.  The sorrow was unshakeable.  When I opened the door I found a note card that simply read, "Thank you for being such a blessing by displaying your nativity scene!"  We have a family in the neighborhood that distributes these notes each year.  I don't know if they had planned to do it this evening or if the events of the day caused them to make a last minute decision. Either way, that knock on the door, that note, that message....they will forever remind me of the importance of hope. 

I've said it before....YOUR FAITH DOES MATTER.  And that others see it matters even more. 

"THE PEOPLE WALKING IN DARKNESS HAVE SEEN A GREAT LIGHT;
On those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned....
For unto us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there will be no end.
He will reign on David's throne over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever.
The zeal of the Lord Almighty will accomplish this."  Isaiah 9:2, 6-7

The whole great light part kind of reminds you of my front yard, right?  Ha!  No, seriously.  Maybe a little.  I won't get to talk to every single person that drives by my house, so something's got to carry the message for me.  Why not my yard display?  Why not the way I greet people when I walk into a store or order food at a restaurant?  Why not the message on my Christmas cards?  Why not hope, hope, undeniable, unshakeable, unending hope in Jesus Christ everywhere I go, in everything I do every day of my life!

Don't let a single moment go by today that wastes the hope of Christmas.  Don't miss the chance to show others that in this dark, dark world a Light is still shining.  From a manger in Bethlehem so long ago to the streets and homes in your neighborhood today, hope is still alive and well and it is catching.

And if Donald the Large Inflatable Dachshund has anything to do with it, that's exactly how it shall be.

XOXO....Kelly