As Advent begins on November 27, that means it's time to prepare for Christmas. Advent means "waiting." Waiting for what? Jesus already came 2000 years ago, so it must not mean that. Is God is waiting for us instead? To do what? He must be waiting for us to "shape up!" Time to look at myself and see how I'm doing. I think I can do better - am I still judging people or comparing myself to others? Am I jealous? I know these things lead me right straight to the evil one's path.
As we begin preparing for Christmas, what could be a better than to prepare our hearts and minds to be filled with the love of Jesus. Our dear little Christ Child left his beautiful home in heaven because He wanted to share His love with us. This was freely done - no one forced Him.
His journey through this world was full of obstacles, disappointments and rejection, right from the very start. His parents couldn't even find a decent place for Him to be born. He had to share a barn with animals. When He was only a few days old, King Herod tried to kill Him. As He began His mission to teach us how to get to heaven, he didn't even have a bed to sleep in or a home to call his own.
But what does all this have to do with us in 2011? Everything! Before Christ left this earth, He had a plan, which would involve us. Since He would no longer be here, His plan was that we would be His hands, His feet, His voice and His heart to love. He didn't leave us alone to do this - but He gave us tremendous help through His Holy Spirit, who is right inside our heart. We have everything we need to do what Jesus asks us to do. Is there someone in a nursing home waiting to see you? Visit them this Christmas. When you do a kindness for someone, there is a secret reward - one which you probably know about - it makes you happier than it does the person you helped! Go for it!! Try to find someone who needs you.
His journey through this world was full of obstacles, disappointments and rejection, right from the very start. His parents couldn't even find a decent place for Him to be born. He had to share a barn with animals. When He was only a few days old, King Herod tried to kill Him. As He began His mission to teach us how to get to heaven, he didn't even have a bed to sleep in or a home to call his own.
But what does all this have to do with us in 2011? Everything! Before Christ left this earth, He had a plan, which would involve us. Since He would no longer be here, His plan was that we would be His hands, His feet, His voice and His heart to love. He didn't leave us alone to do this - but He gave us tremendous help through His Holy Spirit, who is right inside our heart. We have everything we need to do what Jesus asks us to do. Is there someone in a nursing home waiting to see you? Visit them this Christmas. When you do a kindness for someone, there is a secret reward - one which you probably know about - it makes you happier than it does the person you helped! Go for it!! Try to find someone who needs you.
God made so many beautiful things for our pleasure, sunsets, beautiful mountains, lovely flowers, but they are not half so beautiful as a soul that is serving Jesus out of love. Our actions may remain unseen in this world, but at life's end, we will see a flash back of everything we did in secret for the love of Jesus. Then the whole world will see what we have done.
There are those who are trying to get rid of Christ in Christmas. To ignore the most important event in history may determine where one will spend eternity. Anything you can do to keep Christ in Christmas will be highly rewarded - God will never forget it. What can we do? Every chance you get, say, "Merry Christmas." When a clerk in the store says, "Happy Holiday," to me - I reply: "And A Blessed Christmas to you, too!" (The clerk may be saying only what her boss tells her to say, too.)
The stores try to make us believe that presents are are that matters at Christmas. Teach your children the real meaning of Christmas. We are celebrating the miracle of Christ coming to this world to save us. It's His birthday, not ours. Will He find hearts open to receive His love?
The stores try to make us believe that presents are are that matters at Christmas. Teach your children the real meaning of Christmas. We are celebrating the miracle of Christ coming to this world to save us. It's His birthday, not ours. Will He find hearts open to receive His love?
If you put decorations in your home, why not put something to remind others of the true meaning of Christmas? Seeing a manger in your yard, might make all the difference to someone, whose faith is weak.
Christmas is a matter of the heart. Look around you. Is there someone who needs your love? Will you forgive someone who has hurt you? Does anyone near you need HOPE to go on living? You can make a difference by being the voice of Christ, His hands, His feet and His heart. Pray for a thankful heart - it will lighten many burdens we have along life's weary way home to God.
THANKSGIVING PRAYER: Dear heavenly Father, thank you for healthy lives, for food and for a place to sleep. Thank you for friends and family. Give us peace, patience and guidance in our home. Show us how to be understanding and how to respect each other. Let us remember those who have no food, no home and no loved ones. Give us the wisdom to be kind and to forgive. And thank you most of all for your LOVE. In the name of Jesus. Amen.
I love you all so much! Peace, Joy and Hope to you and yours, HAPPY THANKSGIVING!
Sister Francelle
sisterfrancelle.blogspot.com
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