My Christmas Letter...

It's Christmas time!  Everywhere you go people are rooting around for gift giving, holiday baking and party planning.  I really feel like something is wrong with me this year. My melancholic other side has really kicked in. Normally I am the sanguine, dress me in red and send me off all smiles and laughter...this year is different.  Oh, I don't think I am depressed, just rather reflective.  This year I am peering hard into the nativity, listening to the various teaching programs present the story of Christ's birth and well, really soaking it in.  Can it really be that after 27 years as  a believer that it has suddenly hit me...that the baby born in a manger...God's only son...came to die for me and I am just getting it?  No, I know these things, however this year it is remarkably different as I just seem to be looking beyond the surface, pondering the very stark reality of this event that we make fuss over year after year.


Lately, God has been helping me see just how very teeny tiny I am in light of who He is.  I am barely capable of even trying to comprehend this God that I am somehow deeply in love with.  Itsy, bitsy me knows that the Maker of heaven and earth loves her, desires her affections, and continually walks with her to bring her His very best, every day.  Not only that, the King of the universe, the One who hung the stars in the sky even sings over her when she is sleeping.  I can barely contain myself when I think of that!

The very understanding of these verses in John are so remarkable as they reveal Christ Jesus to us from the first five verses in the book of  John:


"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.  He was in the beginning with God.  All things came into being through Him, and apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being.  In Him was life, and the life was the Light of Men.  The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it."


These verses are proof that the Majesty came to invade our world of darkness so that we would no longer be in darkness.  He came to provide  life where there was only death!

When we read the Christmas story and get to the part of shepherds witnessing the revelation of the birth of Jesus in Luke 2, I am in awe!  


"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 heavenly host praising God and saying, "Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased."


I listened as the Bible teacher from a program we carry on the radio talked about the fact that these shepherds who received this revelation were really the lower class of society in that day.  Dirty, stinky, sweaty and probably pretty course in their language, yet God made them privy to the realization of a story told hundreds of years before.  They were some of the first to witness this baby born in a disgusting cave filled with animal refuse  and dirt.  How can it be?  And how can it be that God has allowed one like me or even you, to come to know Himself as Trinity?  This amazing event gave us the reality of the Creator Himself!  If that doesn't humble you just a bit then pinch yourself to make sure  you are really here!


My past has been an ugly stumbling block to receiving God's amazing grace.  It has held me captive with unbelief that God could love me because of _________ (you can fill in the blank if you can identify.)  Maybe this Christmas of 2011 is a year where after almost 27 years of having known "Christ as my savior", that I  am able to freely receive what was given to me over 2000 years ago.  Not because of something I have done, but because I now realize that my Creator invaded my messy life and pierced my heart with His love.  Like the unlikely shepherds who were given the revelation of Jesus birth, I too am the unlikely to receive this gift of love.


It could be that you have gone through the motions year after year like me without really internalizing the actuality of God becoming flesh, to dwell among us, then to die so that we might live.  It is simple yet complex and as one song puts it "what a strange way to save the world"!  I have looked at myself as the most unlikely and accepted His love which completely invaded my messy life and this has given me hope for my tomorrows!  Peer deeply into the manger scene and ask God to give you His perception of what this "Christmas celebration" is really all about.  Then like me you can truly rejoice in the Savior that has come.  May His Christmas blessing be yours!

"Glory to God in the highest,

And on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased."

A Passion to Serve

Upon entering the building--a rather newer structure of a good size and modern layout--you could hear the more classical sounds of stringed instruments playing Christmas carols.  As I looked around the room, which was the sanctuary with all the pews or chairs removed so accommodate many tables, I was struck by the beauty of the room.  Each table painstakingly decorated in a unique and festive decor' as the table host desired and they were all gorgeous!  To the rear or entry area of the large room were many tables laid out with many items that were anything and everything, for every occasion, young and old, to be bid on by the guests.  What?  An auction in the sanctuary?  Yes!


This was an evening of firsts for me.  I had never been to an auction in a church before.  After getting my bearings and changing into my dress for the occasion I perused the items for silent auction and although I could have bid on many wonderful things I only chose one set of items.  I entered my bid and proceeded to browse and visit.


Another fun item was that each guest was presented with the gift of a small wooden Ukrainian hand painted egg.  All in such varied and beautiful colors.  Mine was yellow with beautiful colored markings on it.  You will see some elaborate samples here.  If you read the history you will find that the meaning of this egg has been redeemed for the Christians instead of its pagan roots.  


It was time to open the evening and the delightful emcee/host, Kathy, was sweet, charming and quite humorous in her presentation.  She got the evening started as the men who weren't parking cars were in the kitchen dishing up lovely plates of Chicken Fricassee and the trimmings then delivering them to the tables.  I thought to myself 'what a lovely event and how special that the men would serve in this capacity!'  


There were Christmas readings by Kathy interspersed with some special numbers like two darling girls who sang and played violin to Everlasting God.  And another first was to be able to see dancing in a Baptist church!  Tap dancing to boot!  Three women and the young violin player tap danced to a Christmas song and it was fascinating!  When they were finished, Kathy looked at me and said, "Kim, are you a believer now that you have seen dancing in a Baptist church?"  I laughed and said, "now this is sanctified tap dancing!


Now in between these things I had the pleasure of visiting with the pastor's wife and another saint who began to unfold what this event was really all about.  I would have to say that I was moved by the love for the Ukraine people that this church not only has but demonstrates!  This auction and dinner--their tenth--was to raise money to send to their sister church in Dumatsi, Ukraine.  I also learned that yearly there is a trip taken by several church members to visit and encourage the church over there.  A church of very poor believers who have nothing but the love of Jesus to see them through.  What a privilege to partner with these women and to get their heartbeat of love for these people.


It is a breath of fresh air when I see people openly loving God and then in turn loving others.  I would imagine that the church in the Ukraine finds these saints a great encouragement to them also!  They have many difficulties which includes having very little food and very few jobs.  Yet I am told that the Christians have joy.  Amazing, to be poor, without food yet filled with the joy of the Lord!  


From Paul's words in 2 Corinthians 9:12-15 (NASB)

"For the ministry of this service is not only fully supplying the needs of the saints, but is alo overflowing through many thanksgivings to God.  Because of the proof given by this ministry, they will glorify God for your obedience to your confession of the gospel of Christ and for the liberality of your contribution to them and to all, while they also, by prayer on your behalf, yearn for you because of the surpassing grace of God in you.  Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!"

For the sake of Christ I pray that these friends of the believers in Dumatsi, will maintain their fervor and devotion as they lend their support to these precious Ukrainians!  Thank you for allowing me to have an inside look at your love for God and then for others!

Merry Christmas!

Holiday Madness!

It is Christmas time and for most of us the season begins around Thanksgiving.  We typically shift gears right after the turkey dinner to Christmas.  Of course if you are a television person you may have the tradition of watching the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.  (A tradition since I was a young girl.)  I was nine when I moved to New York City and on my first Thanksgiving there I was treated to getting to see it personally!  That was exciting and chilly as I stood there watching, feeling quite small as I tried to see the floats go by.  So I have sometimes had that on in the morning background while cooking in the kitchen and specifically when my grandsons are home.  It truly jump-starts our holiday celebrations and makes me feel like decorating!

Yikes!

I can remember the days of late night baking, making and decorating that although nice to have, thoroughly exhausted me by the time Christmas actually came.  No wonder I would put on several pounds throughout the end of November and month of December!  No surprise that when the day came I was cranky and lacking energy from all the late nights and poor diet.  Then the new year comes and we have to make all those resolutions that end up getting tossed aside after a few weeks or months if we are really diligent.

So how can we be kind to ourselves and those we love without over-taxing, over-spending and over-indulging ourselves?  It is hard and I will be the first to admit that my will power is weak and wimpy this time of year!  I guess one could shop and bake throughout the months leading up to Christmas but that typically doesn’t happen!  So as I have been thinking about this I have some thoughts to share.

Over-taxing ourselves can lead to physical fatigue and then we succumb to sickness if we are around it.  It is vital to keep the immune system boosted and fighting all those ickies that float around in the air and are on things we touch in public places!  Sure we can carry our sanitizer with us but if we are taking care of ourselves then our immune system is able to do what God created it to do and ward off the ‘stuff’ that wants to invade our bodies.

Take care of yourself during this stress-filled time of year!  It seems that everything is heightened and emotionally we become drained.  I am trying to make sure that I get lots of rest and that I eat healthy.  I am using a bit more vitamin C and love that 1000 mg dose in an easily consumed package!  Stir into a little water and voila, it will go a long way throughout your day. (Just don’t take it too late in the evening or you won’t sleep!)  Also, stay hydrated.  Winter is always dry and most of our homes are more so in the closed winter months.  Unless you live in the south!!!  I struggle with consuming water throughout the day but try.  How is it that we know what is good for us but struggle to do it?  Sounds like the familiar words of Paul, "...for I am not practicing what I would like to do, but I am doing the very thing I hate..." Even Saint Paul struggled to do the right thing. It is sometimes just a simple, 'right now, I am going to make a conscious effort to do what is right' kind of thing! You will be encouraged when you do.

We all know that over-spending this time of year is typical.  I don’t know about you but a gift-giving budget is just hard for me!  One of my love languages is gifting so it is extra hard for me to reign in.  However it helps to have a husband who is ultra conservative on matters like spending and so we are back and forth as I try to show him the “somewhere in the middle” range of spending:0)  I have started to ask my kids and grandsons for a list.  That way I can have a choice pricing-wisely and yet be able to gift them with something that they really would like to have.  It is also nice if one can put funds aside throughout the year to use toward the gifting fund.

Gifting is a wonderful thing and we know that Jesus himself said in Acts 20:35 “that it is more blessed to give than to receive.”  A few years back we decided that we would let our grandsons see giving done in the spirit of blessing those who don’t have.  We looked through our Samaritan’s Purse catalog and let the boys choose a gift to give like a dozen ducks or chickens and we even purchased a goat to be given in their name another year.  The whole gift thing should be focused on the fact that we give because God first gave to us His Son Jesus!  We have certainly carried that to the extreme!

Then the over-indulging issue!  This tends to be one of my worst sins.  I have been completely defeated in this area for way too long!  However I had my best year ever a couple of years ago and I am hoping to continue it this year.  I confess my besetting sin is gluttony! Not a very nice word to admit to but I am going to call it what it is!  

Author Dee Brestin, relates ‘gluttony’ to idol worship and I agree that we can let food replace our need for God in many instances.  In the word it says in Psalm 34:8, “O taste and see that the Lord is good...”  I am determining to replacing my excessive food intake with precious time with the One I love.  Not only does the consuming interrupt my Godward thinking but look at the prep time in cooking!  It is time that a good portion could be given to my Father who waits for me to come and join Him in sweet fellowship! Not to mention Paul’s words again from 1Corinthians 6:19,20 “Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have from God and that you are not your own?”  He issues the call to “glorify God in your body.”  Yikes, I guess for me it will only be a couple of ‘goodies’ and a nice meal or two when the family is home.  It is difficult though, I love to cook and feed!  Now I can turn my “feeding” into spiritual food!

Now that is peace!

Be kind to yourself and those that have to put up with you.  Be a joy to those around you and spend your quality time with your Father, celebrating Christ’s birth!  That is how we become equipped to meet the needs of those around us. Now that’s Christmas!