It is a rough analogy, but as we made Christmas cookies this year I thought of how God made us. He created us in his image, each unique and loves us steadfastly. He is our Creator and our Redeemer. He loved me enough to give me the choice to love Him. He loved us knowing our need for a Savoir because of our choice to sin. He loved His children so much He kept His promise of a Savior for generation after generation. He loved us enough to humble Himself to a manger and become the incarnate Christ as a baby. He loved us enough to accepted suffering. Even though He knew the cost, He was willing to sacrifice for me. His love is eternal and unconditional. Even now He is preparing a place for us to live with Him and worship Him.. We love Him, because He first loved us! This is the love we celebrate at Christmas. Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. 1 John 4:10 Long before He came, His birth and life was foretold! This was a source of hope and rejoicing even before the promise's fulfillment! The Lord encouraged His people that He would send the Messiah, and we can trust His promise that He will come again.
In the same region there were some shepherds staying out in the fields and keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord suddenly stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them; and they were terribly frightened. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people; for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” And suddenly there appeared with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased.” When the angels had gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds began saying to one another, “Let us go straight to Bethlehem then, and see this thing that has happened which the Lord has made known to us.” So they came in a hurry and found their way to Mary and Joseph, and the baby as He lay in the manger. When they had seen this, they made known the statement which had been told them about this Child. And all who heard it wondered at the things which were told them by the shepherds. But Mary treasured all these things, pondering them in her heart. The shepherds went back, glorifying and praising God for all that they had heard and seen, just as had been told them.
RugelachA family favorite: a mini pastry-like raspberry treat! Dough:
2) Heat oven to 350. It's is best to line the cookie sheet with parchment paper as it makes clean-up so much easier! 3) Working quickly, roll out one disk at a time to 14" circle. Mix cinnamon and sugar, set aside 2Tbsp for later. 4) Spread circle with 1/4c. preserves leaving 1/4" border. Sprinkle with cinnamon sugar, raisins, and nuts. 5) With pizza wheel, cut circle into 16 wedges. Roll up wide from wide end to center point. Place 2" apart on cookie sheet and sprinkle with reserved cinnamon sugar. Repeat with remaining dough. 6) Bake 18-22min. unto bottoms are light brown and tops are golden. Remove to cool on rack and freeze up to 3 months. Yum! You know you have been in nursing school when... you make EKG cookies. This is what happens when you have red icing... and just finished a series of lectures on the heart :) Lest anyone think there is not a mess behind the cookies... Mom appropriately got this apron for me. It says "Making a Moose in the Kitchen!" :) ~ Merry Christmas! ~ I was reminded this Sunday how thankful I am for my mom. She is so many things to me - including a voice of reason and common sense. But more than that I cannot think of my salvation, without remembering how she walked me through the plan of salvation and prayed for me to accept Christ at an early age in spite of my stubbornness. She and Dad also showed me what serving the Lord looks like. As I got older I looked forward to every Wednesday night, because it was my time to help mom get ready to teach the preschoolers. From the littlest things like fixing snacks to teaching, and puppets, and crafts, her love for the Lord and burden for the kids shone and still shines in my mind. Seeing her teach this children's class again brought back a wave of these memories. Mom told the story of the Red Sea parting to K4-5th graders. She might not have intended it for me, but the message came through loud and clear to my heart. She had the kids imagine what it would have been like to have brought 2 million people out in the wilderness following a cloud only to be led to the sea with Egyptians chasing you... crazy! It doesn't make any sense. Why would God do that? And as mom said, the Israelites had no other options. When facing the Red Sea, they couldn't turn back (it would have meant certain slavery or death) and there was no way of going around - they had to go through it. Granted, we may not be facing a literal body of water with our former slave owners within sight - but what are you afraid of? What is something you are battling? What decisions are hard right now? What deadline or bill is quickly approaching that is requiring you to trust God? This is a Red Sea. We can not go around it, avoid it, or give up; we must go through it. Likely the Israelites were confused about the future, concerned for their families, tired from utter exhaustion travelling and overworking as slaves, and afraid; they were even complaining for being there. I am ashamed how often this could describe my response.
So why where the Egyptians even chasing them? Pharaoh had already let the Israelites go. Yet, God who hardened Pharaoh's heart again because he wanted the Egyptians to see the glory of God.
WassailAlso in honor of mom and her recipes... This has newly become my current favorite holiday treat :) Yes, I know there are way too many modifiers in that sentence.
Here is a glimpse of my family... our time together is always an exciting adventure! They are the best family a girl could ask for and such a blessing to me :) You can see who is the center of attention... the cutest little cousin ever :) Really enjoyed walking across the bridge in downtown Chattanooga! For fun, we walked through the gardens of Gaylord Opryland Resort ... absolutely beautiful! It was definitely worth staying after dark, the Christmas lights were amazing! Lastly, we went in the 9 degree freezer to see the ice sculptures. So thankful for the parkas!
From our family to yours, Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! |
AuthorI will be the first to admit that I am not a writer, but have a sincere aspiration to articulate Truth with grace, in love, seasoned with salt. Here is a journal of sorts, or photo documentations of a journey - one currently around the world in Papua New Guinea working at the Kunai Health Center. Thanks for visiting and your support! Archives
May 2019
Categories
All
|