Celebrate~Jesus

Luke 2:6-7

While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.

As an American consumer, I used to make Christmas way too complicated. The shopping, the decorating, the baking exhausted me. For the past several years, I've stepped back and made an attempt to simplify. Less presents, decorating with the items I hold dear, and more focused time in the kitchen. I confess—I love Christmas. But what I love the most about this beautiful holiday has less to do with the gifts, baubles, and cookies and more to do with the people.

First being—Jesus—the babe in the manger who grew to be a King. Even as King, he lived a simple existence as he walked this earth. His life reflects the love and grace he gives. I praise God for sending his son to us.

Second being—my husband—we go through this life together encouraging and loving one another. For this I am so thankful.

Third being—our family—our children and their families, my mom, our siblings, and the many who connect, love, check in on, and surround Tim and I with their love. I appreciate them so much.

Fourth being—friends—dear friends I've reconnected with from college and the many friends made through the years. Our neighbors who wave a friendly hello when we walk the neighborhood. My writing friends I've met on social media from all over the world. The church filled with folks who walk with us on our spiritual journey. Thank you.

Fifth being—the folks we are yet to connect with—those God will place in our path.

All these people bless our lives. I thank God for each one.

As I reflect on this strange, stressful year, I thank God for Jesus and for you.

May the New Year bring joy, peace, and hope as we celebrate the babe in the manger and look forward to a new calendar filled with wonder and adventure.

Here's to a Happy New Year!

Celebrating Christmas ~ Shepherds

Luke 2:15-18

When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”
So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. 

Have you ever seen an alpaca?

Sometimes confused with a llama—their ears are more rounded, their bodies are smaller, and their fur is shaggier. In October, Tim and I visited an alpaca farm. The comical looking creatures, with their floppy hair, stood in the field beside the Alpaca Meadows gift and wool shop. A lovely lady greeted us and welcomed us into her store. After a little too much shopping, she offered to show us her animals. If it hadn't been so muddy, we could have taken one for a walk, instead, we tromped through the water-logged field for a close-up experience. One of the alpacas, who is blind, came right to her caretaker. She trusted her and allowed us to pet her fuzzy head, because she knew her shepherd.

In Luke chapter two, sheep trusted their shepherd and the shepherd trusted the Lord.

When the angels appeared to the shepherds, fear struck them, until the angel told them not to be afraid, but to trust. Once the shock of seeing and hearing the angels sunk in, they hurried off to see the baby the angels proclaimed. Imagine—they arrived at the manger, a tiny baby lay in the arms of his mother, and he is proclaimed the Messiah, the one they'd been waiting for. No doubt the shepherds stood in awe. They'd heard God's promise of a Savior but never expected to have the honor to be chosen to see him.

When they left the manger, they didn't jog back to their hill. Instead, they shared the good news—a Savior is born—the Messiah is here—we've seen him with our own eyes.

Jesus came to the world to save us from evil and sin. He entered this world as a babe in a manger. Smelly, stinky shepherds visited first, not kings or priests, but everyday workers who spent time tending. And they spread the word "Jesus is born" to everyone they saw.

From the beginning of Jesus time on earth, God used ordinary men and women to spread the gospel. He still does today. We don't need a fancy degree or title to be a shepherd for Jesus. We just need to know how much he loves us.

Go tell everyone that Jesus lives and loves them. He wants the world to know.