Thursday, December 16, 2010

JOY TO THE WORLD

In Tucson, you really never know for sure what the weather will be like for Christmas.  One Christmas Eve, many years ago, it snowed after we all went to bed.  When we awoke, Jim and I were blessed to be able to share snow with our children.  We even made a snowman. Yesterday, I think it was almost 80 degrees outside!  I have my sweaters neatly folded.  I have even worn one or two for a few hours. 

But where Jim and I grew up, you could count on snow for Christmas. I recall having to lift my feet way up high to walk down the sidewalk in someone else's footsteps, knee deep in the snow.   And snow made Christmas so magical!  Buffalo, New York is famous for snowy winters and some of our fondest memories are of making forts, breaking huge icicles off the eves of houses, snowball fights, sledding down the middle of our street, or sneaking under the chain link fence around the domed water tower to climb and sled, climb and sled, over and over until our feet were numb and our cheeks were red. going inside periodically for cookies and hot cocoa.  

This Christmas season has been special to me.  I am uncharacteristically calm in spite of the many things I have to do at home and at work that I am not getting to yet.  I watched precious Vanessa become a nurse; kissed the soft cheeks of my mother and father; decorated our (fake) tree with joyful Emily; posed for photos with handsome Jim -- our Rachel behind the camera smirking at our jokes; played all day with our 4 grandchildren; was entrusted with Isabel's first haircut ; spent $115 and saved $113 coupon shopping with Kelly one day and  helped plant in her lovely yard the next. 

(Today I whispered to God that it really isn't fair that I get to have so much joy and love in my life -- " but can I keep doing this, Lord.?..this is what I love...")

"Thank you, Father for all these people and their various extensions, for the beautiful friends and faithful customers you have provided.  And thank you for sending your Son to the cold world to warm it with love"

Maybe it is my old eyes putting it all together like a batch of sugary Christmas cookies, but this holiday I see God's love everywhere, even in the plastic trees, the plastic lights, the stores displaying the wares that bring salaries to the people working there.   His love and peace surround us like the deep snow that blankets Buffalo.    Bare trees and sleepy, scrubby desert both promise to awake in spring  The joy of his coming reflects in even the poorly decorated yard.  He loves us! He gives us good things, undeserved goodness. 

 Winter, Christmas, love snow, gifts, lights, carols...Jesus...  JOY TO THE WORLD !

Oh, and just as I finished this post, it started to rain and the tinted leaves began to blow off my Pistachio tree.  If I squint, it sorta looks like snow!
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3 comments:

  1. Your life is beautiful. A work of art. Thank you for sharing it here. I needed this bright seeing by faith tonight.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Awww so sweet. I love this post! And I love reading about childhood memories!

    ReplyDelete

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Precious Readers

My Father's Words

"Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud, it is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices in the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres." Love never fails

Father's Love Letter

An Intimate Message from God to You:

My Child,

You may not know me, but I know everything about you. Psalm 139:1

I know when you sit down and when you rise up. Psalm 139:2

I am familiar with all your ways. Psalm 139:3

Even the very hairs on your head are numbered. Matthew 10:29-31

For you were made in my image. Genesis 1:27

In me you live and move and have your being. Acts 17:28

For you are my offspring. Acts 17:28

I knew you even before you were conceived. Jeremiah 1:4-5

I chose you when I planned creation. Ephesians 1:11-12

You were not a mistake, for all your days are written in my book. Psalm 139:15-16

I determined the exact time of your birth and where you would live. Acts 17:26

You are fearfully and wonderfully made. Psalm 139:14

I knit you together in your mother's womb. Psalm 139:13

And brought you forth on the day you were born. Psalm 71:6

I have been misrepresented by those who don't know me. John 8:41-44

I am not distant and angry, but am the complete expression of love. 1 John 4:16

And it is my desire to lavish my love on you. 1 John 3:1

Simply because you are my child and I am your Father. 1 John 3:1

I offer you more than your earthly father ever could. Matthew 7:11

For I am the perfect father. Matthew 5:48

Every good gift that you receive comes from my hand. James 1:17

For I am your provider and I meet all your needs. Matthew 6:31-33

My plan for your future has always been filled with hope. Jeremiah 29:11

Because I love you with an everlasting love. Jeremiah 31:3

My thoughts toward you are countless as the sand on the seashore. Psalms 139:17-18

And I rejoice over you with singing. Zephaniah 3:17

I will never stop doing good to you. Jeremiah 32:40

For you are my treasured possession. Exodus 19:5

I desire to establish you with all my heart and all my soul. Jeremiah 32:41

And I want to show you great and marvelous things. Jeremiah 33:3

If you seek me with all your heart, you will find me. Deuteronomy 4:29

Delight in me and I will give you the desires of your heart. Psalm 37:4

For it is I who gave you those desires. Philippians 2:13

I am able to do more for you than you could possibly imagine. Ephesians 3:20

For I am your greatest encourager. 2 Thessalonians 2:16-17

I am also the Father who comforts you in all your troubles. 2 Corinthians 1:3-4

When you are brokenhearted, I am close to you. Psalm 34:18

As a shepherd carries a lamb, I have carried you close to my heart. Isaiah 40:11

One day I will wipe away every tear from your eyes. Revelation 21:3-4

And I'll take away all the pain you have suffered on this earth. Revelation 21:3-4

I am your Father, and I love you even as I love my son, Jesus. John 17:23

For in Jesus, my love for you is revealed. John 17:26

He is the exact representation of my being. Hebrews 1:3

He came to demonstrate that I am for you, not against you. Romans 8:31

And to tell you that I am not counting your sins. 2 Corinthians 5:18-19

Jesus died so that you and I could be reconciled. 2 Corinthians 5:18-19

His death was the ultimate expression of my love for you. 1 John 4:10

I gave up everything I loved that I might gain your love. Romans 8:31-32

If you receive the gift of my son Jesus, you receive me. 1 John 2:23

And nothing will ever separate you from my love again. Romans 8:38-39

Come home and I'll throw the biggest party heaven has ever seen. Luke 15:7

I have always been Father, and will always be Father. Ephesians 3:14-15

My question is…Will you be my child? John 1:12-13

I am waiting for you. Luke 15:11-32

Love, Your Dad.... ...Almighty God

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