51 results for tag: Holidays

Motherhood and My Years of New Year Reflections

For the past couple of years, I have decided not to focus on trying to accomplish resolutions for the year but rather reflect on my year and find a focus word or phrase as a theme or point of focus to bring before the Lord during the upcoming year. I was first encouraged, through a friend, to ask the Lord for wisdom in reflecting on my year and insight into what I should focus on bringing before the Lord during the next year. She told me about her experience with trusting the Lord with a phrase or thought throughout the year and how she wanted me to join her. I don’t always approach new ideas with the best attitude so I walked away unsure how to ...

6 Questions for the New Year

There's just something about this time of year that has everyone thinking about all the improvements they want to make in their lives. We set goals for our health and finances. We determine to be more creative, more adventurous, or more engaging. We ponder what new habits we would like to form and what old habits we would like to overcome. We make lists and promises, and determine to become a better version of ourselves over the course of the year. Self-reflection and goal setting are admirable, necessary, and biblical practices. When God's people had grown careless in their relationship with God, He rebuked them through the prophet Haggai and ...

A Release from Remembering

November arrives and as the holidays come within reach, I feel a near physical ache. Holidays have a built in nostalgia—have you ever noticed that? Reflection is inherent in the joy of a holiday celebration. We look back on the year and remember its highs and lows; we take pictures to capture our family and friends as they are right now, so we can remember in years to come. We reflect and remember, and for grievers there is an inescapable wondering that happens at the holidays. We remember what we have lost. What would she have wanted for Christmas this year? How big would I have been with the baby by now? These are questions that linger in my ...

To Gaze on the Christ-Child

One silent night, over 2,000 years ago, God came to the earth as a baby. Immanuel. God with us. A baby who came to live so he could die, and would die so we could live. This is the hope of Christmas. This is the hope of Christ. But when your heart is broken and bleeding and the sting of commercial holiday cheer intensifies it all, that hope may not bring much comfort. Not because the Christ-child is not enough, but because we push what is offered away. The lights glisten on the tree. The stockings hang over the fire. Familiar tunes are sung about joy and being merry. While the world is writing lists long with desires of the newest ...

Light in the Darkness

“The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them has light shown.” Isaiah 9:2 Does it feel as though God is silent or distant? Does it seem like the Christmas season only reminds you of the ache in your heart for the ones you wished were with you? Do you wonder if God will breathe life into the broken places of your heart, or if there will ever be a day where it won’t feel so dark? You are not alone in those questions, fears, and silent cries for God to not feel so silent. In fact, for 400 years the people of Israel felt those same questions stirring in their souls. The God who ...

Christmas Day – Reign

“For to us a child is born, to us a Son is given; and the government shall be upon His shoulder, and His name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” Isaiah 9:6 Our sovereign God preordained the birth of a Savior to a virgin; He has preordained your first breath; and He has preordained the precious—yet short—life of your child. Today, you will mourn the missing piece of your heart. You, loved one, desire to hear those tiny feet pad to your room bright and early, long to listen to the miniature voice praise “Glory! Glory!”, so deeply want to watch small fingers pull on the festive ribbon, ...

Christmas Eve – Rain

“… the virgin’s name was Mary. And he came to her and said, ‘Greetings, O favored one, the Lord is with you!’ But she was greatly troubled at the saying, and tried to discern what sort of greeting this might be. And the angel said to her, ‘Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call His name Jesus.’” Luke 1:27-31 Mary was chosen by God to be the mother of Jesus, our Savior. She was called to carry, birth, and mother the Messiah. What a weighty responsibility that is to uphold. Her graceful response to His calling on her life is one ...

Because He Lives

“And He who was seated on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” -Revelation 21:5 Go back and read that verse again and again and again.  Our Great God is making ALL things new.  This, dear one, is the message of Easter.  This is what we have to look forward to.  This is the hope we have been given through the death and resurrection of our Lord, Jesus Christ.  Everything will be new and perfect.  Nothing will be damaged or spoiled or blemished by the darkness of sin.  The splendor of heaven is truly beyond the scope of our comprehension.  And anything less magnificent and unfathomable wouldn’t be heaven, would it? ...

Giving Thanks With An Aching Heart

Simeon was due in the middle of November, the day after his big sister’s birthday. It seemed so special to me that the two of them would be born so close together. I imagined with excitement how much fun it would be, albeit a bit overwhelming, to have back to back birthday celebrations right at the start of the holiday season. There would be so much to plan. So much to celebrate. But Simeon wasn’t born in November as we had expected him to be. Instead, he was ushered into the arms of Jesus at just 14 weeks gestation. Rather than preparing for our daughter’s birthday while cradling our sweet babe in my womb, or making final arrangeme...

Christmas Joy

I spent some time this week looking over all of the Christmas decorations that are scattered throughout my home. The word "joy" appears at least a dozen times. The holidays are characterized by joy. For the entire month of December, families are driving around to stare in awe at marvelous light displays, everyone's kitchen smells like peppermint as preparations are make for an annual cookie exchange, wishlists are created or updated in anticipation of traditions of gift-giving, and playlists are curated so that the songs of the season are always ringing through the air. But, it can be so difficult to participate in the joys of the Christmas ...