THE COUNTDOWN BEGINS

By Vernalee

New Year’s Eve begins the countdown to 2023. Without question, in 2022, we were dealing with the tail end of the pandemic and the continuance of social injustices. 2022 was a year of paramount uncertainties. The assurance of it all is that God is still on the throne! Isiah 41:10 tells us that “Don’t be afraid, for I am with you.

Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God.

I will strengthen you and help you.

I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.” Indeed … As we enter 2023, I praise God for another year and his Blessed assurance! Photo credit: pininterest

CHRISTMAS IS HERE

By Vernalee

It’s here! The day has finally arrived! All of the traditional gentleness and happiness of Christmas permeates throughout the air. Some celebrate the “White Christmas” that they dreamed of having. Peppermint candy canes, yummy gingerbread houses, glowing scented candles, and stuffed Christmas stockings are everywhere. The house smells of love! Gift wrapped presents with decorative bows are marvelously scattered under the Christmas tree. Family and friends are displaying bountiful love. Children are thrilled at what Santa brought them. With Rudolph and his reindeer companions parked in a sleigh on top of the roof, some of the younger ones claim they saw Mr. Claus easing down the chimney! Oh my!

The kitchen is filled with the aromas of Honey baked ham, turkey and dressing, home made rolls, sweet potato pies, chocolate cake, egg nog, and countless flavorful delectable dishes. “Joy to the World” and timeless Christmas carols are heard In the background. (”Silent Night” by the Temptations remains my favorite). A galaxy of colorful scenic lights and nativity scenes are on every street corner and fill every room of our homes.

Yes, Christmas is a day of giving; a day of love; but more importantly – the day that we celebrate the birth of the Messiah, Jesus Christ. He is the reason for the season! “O come let us adore him.” Let’s rejoice and give thanks as we pray for our well being and that of our loved ones/families, the less fortunate, the lonely … and for a better world. Let us show immense thoughtfulness, incredible caring, and bountiful love to one another! Let us remember and never forget the memories of those that we love who are not with us in the flesh, but who are smiling as they watch us from the Heavens! Their love for us and ours for them is forever and a day. As “Hark, the Herald Angels” sing “Glory to the new born king” – “Let there be peace on earth!” Merry Christmas! Blessings!

Photo Credit: time.com

CHRISTMAS EVE

By Vernalee

Christmas Eve! We are in the gift giving spirit feeling joyful and thrilled! We are sharing time with loved ones, but some of us have gotten lost in the commercial aspect rather than being indulged in the true meaning of Christmas, namely the birth of Jesus Christ!

Matthew 1:18-25 recounts the birth of our Messiah.

18 “This is how the birth of Jesus the Messiah came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be pregnant through the Holy Spirit. 19 Because Joseph her husband was faithful to the law, and yet did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly.

20 But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. 21 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.”

22 All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: 23 “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel” (which means “God with us.“

24 When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife. 25 But he did not consummate their marriage until she gave birth to a son. And he gave him the name Jesus.” Let us never forget the true meaning of Christmas as we remember - Jesus is the reason for the season!

As we listen to my favorite Christmas carol, Silent Night … Happy Sunday and Blessings!