Christmas is upon Us!

ByTonyaAnn Pember

  The season is upon us!   Christmas.  The celebration of the birth of Christ.  If you haven’t heard Mallary Hope’s Christmas is All about You grab a device and you tube it now.  It’s my new theme song for Christmas. 
  
Those of you who know me KNOW I love black Friday, not the deals, the crowds.    I love Christmas décor, cards, music, school and church programs.  Pass the Gingerbread Latte or Peppermint Mocha Latte while I watch  Hallmark movies!   But, like Mallary, I need reminding as “December rushes thru” what Christmas is all about. 

It’s been easier this year; I have fewer obligations than I’ve ever had in my life.  My smaller home takes less time to decorate and clean.  I’ve been to  a Christmas tea at my church.  This week will claim 3 evenings of Kids’ programs but next week’s calendar is clear.  So, I AM taking some time to remember what Christmas is all about.  I’m taking an only Bible Course with Lee Strobel and the case for Christmas. (Check out faithgateway.com )    I’m studying daily advent scriptures that parallel Old Testament prophecies with New Testament fulfillment. And it’s pretty amazing,  even for this born and raised, graduate of a Christian college, A/G girl.   
In all of this, I am very aware that there are those for whom this Christmas is just sad.  2018 was not kind to them.  Loss of loved one, some by chance and some by choice; devastating diagnosis,  financial woes and looming job issues,  threaten some’s “happy new year”.   And it gets me to thinkin’.

Jesus’ birth in Bethlehem wasn’t celebrated by everyone.  A king named Herod with jealousy in his heart and Satan on his shoulder was not excited.  I’ve never seen a Christmas play feature hundreds of slaughtered babies outside the stable.  But, it happened.  Herod murdered hundreds of Israelite children in an effort to murder Jesus.  Satan actively tried to rob us of Christmas 2000 years ago.  And he is still trying today, through devastating diagnosis, loss of loved one, financial woes, looming job losses and a thousand other things that are weighing you down today.  I John 3:8 says that Jesus came to “undo the work of the devil”.  Latch on to that today, and let the baby of Bethlehem undo the destruction Satan has bought or is trying to bring. 

It’s Christmas, the Season of Light.  Don’t let the Prince of Darkness rob you of the light.  Come celebrate! 

TonyaAnn Pember

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