Heart of Christmas

(December's blog post)


Music Video:  The Heart of Christmas. 

It’s that time of year again.  December…and even crazier, it’s almost over.  Most often, that one word can strike you with terror, just because of how busy you can get at this time.  So much on our to-do lists to take care of.  What if we just took a moment to stop, sit still and soak it all in.  I mean really take in the “Reason for the Season”. 
                                Jesus! 

It’s why we all are here in the first place, right?  It’s because of His birth, His death, His resurrection that we are able to have a fresh new beginning with our Father in Heaven.  It’s the reason we believe and want to share with others about this amazing event while we are here on earth, waiting for Christ’s return for His followers. 

We all face good and bad times. Sometimes we feel that sense of why is this happening to me?  Why did I have to go through this?  It’s knowing that in every good and bad situation we are faced with, Our God knows how to use us in each and every situation we have been through.  It’s hard sometimes to wonder what that reason is really for, but knowing that there is a greater plan for our lives even if we don’t know what it may be yet. 


I love the music from Matthew West.  One song, The Heart of Christmas, from the movie The Heart of Christmas, tells the story of a family through their journey with their son at St. Jude Children’s Hospital and the life they had dealing with treatments.  Dealing with so much with their young son and having to get through life in general.  It’s so great how their family, friends, new friends and even strangers pulled together to help this family out.  To be a voice, to lend a hand, to pray for them.

So what's your favorite thing to do during this amazing season?  How do you show the Heart of Christmas to those around you?

Merry CHRISTmas!!!

It's Christmas! Time to be with loved ones and enjoy just being with each other.  It was a beautiful Christmas morning in California this year with family and friends, and a beautiful drive over to the bay area to spend Christmas day with more family.

CHRISTmas Morning!

Christmas Eve was yet another amazing experience as we went out to serve the community again this year.  Showing love to those around us.  People who were just merely hungry were so incredibly grateful for the cheeseburgers and waters we had for them.  This time we put them inside a knit hat so at least they would be able to keep their heads warm when it's cold outside.  Among the 10 of us that went out, we were able to split up again in a couple cars and go in separate directions to be able to reach out to more people.  Being able to show someone else a little bit of love, or do something for someone else can really help someone realize that there are people out there that care about them.  Which is why I love listening to K-Love radio everyday.  They have this thing called, Make a difference Monday, where it's a day to go out and do something for someone else.  Make a difference in someone's life, smile at everyone you come into contact with.  When you surround yourself with positive people you yourself will be more positive.  Remember...you will be like the five people you are around the most!  

We were able to attend a Christmas Eve services this year, at it was amazing!  As we opened up singing Christmas Carols that evening the pastor talked about a video that was taken about a flash mob down in Southern California.  They played the video and it was so amazing as you watched this video clip of people singing and people surrounding them in the mall and listening.  You can see some were enjoying the experience and some weren't quite sure what was going on.  (flash mob video below)

Luke 2:  13-20

    Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”  When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”

    So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger.  When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child,  and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them.  But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.  The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.

‘twas the week before Christmas…

     Baking cookies, church Christmas party, time spend with Mary Kay friends, Caroling around the neighborhood, setting up a a Christmas booth for Mary Kay at a local store, shopping trips, reaching out to people in our neighborhood this season and a fabulous Christmas Eve service!  Just a little description about all that’s being going on this week!  And, it’s been so great!!!
    The week was busy, but so full of many blessings.  Spending time with people and even meeting new people and new friends.  I just wish I could have squeezed in time to finish my Christmas Cards….maybe next week and they’ll be New Years cards. 


Last night there was a great movie on TV.  It was called, ‘The Perfect Gift.’ The movie depicted a young girl who had so much go wrong with her life in the past year, that she had pretty much given up on being happy during the Christmas season.  Even when her birthday fell on Christmas (which was all she cared about) she just knew everyone had Christmas plans and she would never be able to have a birthday party ON her birthday.  When she meets a handyman who is doing some work at the local church, he teaches her more than she could ever imagine about what the ‘true’ meaning of Christmas is and why we celebrate Christmas.  As she learns and grows, she shares what she learned from this man with her class.  She really did receive the perfect gift! 

I love these lyrics to the song, “Happy Birthday Jesus.”  I’ve heard it a long time ago as a child and every year it just reminds me even more that Jesus is the Reason for the Season and why we Celebrate CHRISTmas!

Happy Birthday To You
happy Birthday To You
happy Birthday Dear Jesus
happy Birthday To You.

Happy Birthday Jesus
I'm So Glad Its Christmas
all The Tinsel And Lights
and The Presents Are Nice
but The Real Gift Is You.

Happy Birthday Jesus
I'm So Glad Its Christmas
all The Carols And Bells
make The Holiday Swell
and it's All About You
Happy Birthday Jesus
Jesus I Love You!