It's Advent but it doesn’t feel like Christmas yet. But how is Christmas supposed to feel? Perhaps it’s different for everybody.
I usually enjoy the peace and quiet later on Christmas Eve after it’s gone dark and all the shops have shut and the traffic on the road outside is down to a bare minimum, when the TV is showing ‘Carols From Kings’ and there is an air of anticipation. But what am I waiting for? Is it for what I hope Christmas day will bring in the way of gifts or is it for what I hope it will be like as I spend it with family.
I’ve been thinking about these things this morning and I think it must all be a pot-pouri of remembered feelings from right back over the years since I was a child.
Being without my tree and other Christmas trimmings last year has had the effect of making me think less about the preparations and more about Jesus and his place in my life:
I feel a true peace in my heart as I sit here and I hope you will all enjoy a peaceful and joyful Christmas however you spend it. And I hope the best gift you will receive is a new gift from God; perhaps a word of encouragement or a new insight or a greater awareness of his presence.
God bless.
Love, Pat xx
I usually enjoy the peace and quiet later on Christmas Eve after it’s gone dark and all the shops have shut and the traffic on the road outside is down to a bare minimum, when the TV is showing ‘Carols From Kings’ and there is an air of anticipation. But what am I waiting for? Is it for what I hope Christmas day will bring in the way of gifts or is it for what I hope it will be like as I spend it with family.
I’ve been thinking about these things this morning and I think it must all be a pot-pouri of remembered feelings from right back over the years since I was a child.
Being without my tree and other Christmas trimmings last year has had the effect of making me think less about the preparations and more about Jesus and his place in my life:
- I don’t need fairy lights when I have the Light of the World.
- I don’t need evergreens to remind me of the hope of everlasting life in Christ.
- I don’t need chocolate when I can feed on the Bread of Life
- I don’t need booze when I can drink the New Wine or the Water of Life.
- I don’t need gifts when I already have the best gift of all – my new life in Christ.
- I don’t need fancy festive food when I can feast on the abundance of God’s house and drink from the river of delights.
God bless.
Love, Pat xx