This is Christmas

I had a really, really, great week recently.  One of those weeks where you look back and see God's hands all over each day.  The three biggest highlights....

1.  I heard the testimony of some new friends' marriage, how God met them, redeemed them and turned their lives around.  It was amazing!

2.  I watched a sweet little friend ring the bell at Texas Children's Hospital, a symbol of the end of her cancer treatments.  She is officially "no evidence of disease"!!

3.  I celebrated with friends who finalized the adoption of their precious baby daughter.

I share these joys with you for good reason.  For in celebrating in these ways with these families, you can not overlook the struggle it took to get them there.  These people--all so dear and precious--have fought, and fought mightily.  They have fought temptation and pride.  Illness and disease.  Doubt and unrest.  Their roads have been long and bumpy and dark.  And yet.....

"The people walking in darkness have seen a great light.  On those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned."  Isaiah 9:2

Advent is a season to prepare our hearts to celebrate the coming of Christ.  It's a season to embrace traditions and have (the best we can muster!) a bright and merry spirit.  But it is also a time to understand what Christ's coming means.  To look around on the roads we're traveling.  To see the bumps and the deep darkness and to feel those struggles AND YET! ....to know a light is coming.  To know the hope of Christ.  

Because Christ does come to us.  From the manger to the cross, and from the grave to life again, Christ comes again and again and again to us, with hope, with salvation, with victory.  This is Christmas, friends.  This is hope.  This is Jesus.  May we know it in the deepest way.

XOXO....Kelly