The Season

If I decorate my house perfectly with plaid bows, strands of twinkling lights and shiny balls, but do not show love to my family, I’m just another decorator.

If I slave away in the kitchen, baking dozens of Christmas cookies, preparing gourmet meals and arranging a beautifully adorned table at mealtime, but do not show love to my family, I’m just another cook.

If I trim the spruce with shimmering angels and crocheted snowflakes, attend a myriad of holiday parties and sing in the choir’s cantata but do not focus on Christ, I have missed the point.

Love stops the cooking to hug the child. Love sets aside the decorating to kiss the husband. Love is kind, though harried and tired. Love doesn’t envy another’s home that has coordinated Christmas china and table linens.

Love doesn’t yell at the kids to get out of the way, but is thankful they are there to be in the way. Love doesn’t give only to those who are able to give in return but rejoices in giving to those who can’t.

Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails. Video games will break, pearl necklaces will be lost, golf clubs will rust, but giving the gift of love will endure.

Cozy

Such a flawless day. Though many sharp souls may disagree, seeing rain, cold air, dark skies, and little life on the sidewalks, I beg to differ. It's cozy, slow, and full of great scents- scents of holiday candles, fresh coffee, baking bread, a clean home, happy dogs, and the Christmas tree. A family favorite movie plays on the television as I type, and a smile covers my make-up-free face.

The only things missing on this cozy day is my love. Jeramy Ziegler.

I long for the day God brings us together, for good. Forever. Unified. One. This beautiful, unique love that could only come from the Divine Creator, the Master Artist, is so thick between us. It continues to pull our hearts closer and closer together. God has answered our questions. He has come down from the heavens to show us firsthand that we are right. We are good. The relationship... the couple He has created is good in His sight, and made in His image. What comfort I can rest in, knowing I'm done searching. What joy I can live in, knowing my God is pleased and excited with me for the future of this love.

Praying that you find the coziness in this day. Praying you find the joy of true life and the hope of secure salvation, if you find your heart searching for something more. Praying you feel His divine presence.

Kathleen

Egg nog, mistletoe, parties, bows, and purpose.

13 days until "The Day". The day our Great Savior, redeeming Father, remarkable God, gave His son on my behalf. On your behalf. The day He gave the brightest example of selflessness.

It's going to be a very special Christmas for me. Unlike last December 25th, this time around I have my whole family back, to sit around the tree and demolish piles of wrapping paper- together. There will not be a Skype call this Christmas. The Lord has brought us back together to celebrate Him. He IS our celebration!

My shoulders have been heavy lately, my mind ransacked by tasks. My patience has been non-existent, my confidence just as low. It's been a season I knew was coming, and is almost over. Christmas Day marks the end. I've only conquered the Balancing Act because of His strength in my bones. I don't even know if I'd call it conquering. It's more like I've learned how to balance, how to keep striving, how to move forward even on the hardest day. Him.

His strength is stronger than any force of this earth; His mercy more beautiful than the most expensive jewel; His love deeper than the deepest hurt I could ever face; His grace sufficient; His goodness ridiculously incredible.

Jesus, YOU are our celebration. This season is all Yours in my heart. Thank You for Your gift to me. It didn't need wrapping paper or bows. It was perfect just the way it was!