Tuesday, December 19, 2006

Merry Christmas!

How can it be that we're celebrating Christmas already?! I know it's cliched, but it is so true that the older we get, the faster time flies!

I pray that you're celebrating Christmas for the right reason: the Celebration of the birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. I don't know about you, but when I think about Jesus' birth, His ministry on earth, and most importantly, His sacrificial death and resurrection, I'm awed . . . and humbled. I certainly don't deserve what He did for me.

I was rereading some of my journals, and I came across this entry from February 9, 2002, that describes how this makes me feel:

Who am I, Lord, that You love me? Who am I that You stayed with me even when I turned my back on You and willingly sinned against You and took Your name in vain? Who am I that You willingly died for me, Jesus, even though You knew that I would choose to so drastically rebel? Who am I that now I am washed clean, that I am now righteous in Your eyes, Father? Who am I that You continue to bless me beyond my need, beyond my desire, beyond what I deserve? Who am I? I am Your child. I am Your beloved daughter. I am Your joy and pleasure. How can that be? How can that be? It is so far beyond my comprehension, so far beyond anything I deserve. But I am so grateful, Lord. I am so blessed and humbled and awe-struck. You are so much more to me than I could ever put into words. I can only give You my love, my praise, my worship, myself. It is all You, Lord, and I am all Yours. I thank You, and I love You.

May I encourage you to focus on God's gift to us this season. May I encourage you to take a moment to express your thanks to Him.

And may you and yours enjoy the most blessed of Christmases and a wonderful 2007!