Faith- I know that Our Hope has Arrived!

As I watch everyone during this time of year I see so much chaos.  People trying to get their holiday shopping done, going to holiday parties and decorating in holiday themes.  What I also see is the commercialization of the "holidays" in full force.  This year it seems to be especially noticeable.  The media are highlighting the stories of people that are upset because they feel intimidated to drive down a city street where a banner was hung across the road that read "Merry Christmas."  Complaining that the "Christmas" part was forcing Christian beliefs on them.  Some of our elected officials in certain states have forbidden anything that suggest "Christmas."  Our potential Presidential candidates are questioned about their Christian beliefs and made to look inadequate, even though our country was built on Christian beliefs and ethics.

I like to wait to decorate for Christmas until after Thanksgiving.  The favorite part of my decor are my nativity scenes.  When I send out my Christmas cards, I want to share then message of Christ's birth.  It's funny how our the entire country, and other countries around the world, set this time aside to celebrate.  I am and they are also celebrating the fact that on Christmas Our Hope has arrived in Christ's birth. 

God loved us so much that he came down to Earth in human form so that we could relate to Him.  We were not getting it back then, as we aren't getting it now.  He came so that we could learn from Him and go out and tell everyone else about Him.  I await for the day the Christ comes back again and I can tell him that I tried my best as an imperfect human.  I want to tell him thank you for being relatable, for being forgiving and for reaching out to me.  For helping me to grow and learn from Him and for giving me the courage to share about Him to others.  It's so easy to give in to what is dishonest or just not good at all.  It's hard to do what is right and honest.  I struggle every day to do my best.  Sometimes I fail and sometimes I am victorious.  In the end I know that I have not denied that I am a Christian and that Christ has forgiven me and loved me.

So as I watch everyone run around during this Christmas time of year I can pray for them that they "get it" and share with then if they don't.

Have a Very Blessed Christmas!!       

Fun- The Fun and Madness of Family Get Togethers

Steve and I say this every Thanksgiving.  "Well, we pulled off another one."  I have had Thanksgiving at our home every year for the past several years.  For one reason, I have Wednesdays and Thursdays off work.  Another reason is that Christmas dinner and gift exchange is just too crazy with this crowd.  Really, I love this Holiday.  Thanksgiving has such a great historical meaning and message.  I love this time of year as the season changes, even in Southern California.  Even we get a glimpse of Liquid Amber trees in the neighborhood.  My home is in full Autumn bloom and I can start to wear my sweaters. 

(Dad, Mom and Bruce Thanksgiving 2010- This year is the first Thanksgiving without my dad.) 

I feel like the rest of society has almost forgotten what the true meaning is.  I heard so much talk of "Turkey Day."  I want to make sure that our family and friends remember that this is the time of year that we truly thank God for what he has given us and the blood that has been shed by those who fought for everything that we are thankful for.  We hear so much about how the rest of the world is suffering in poverty and that we who live in the United States of America are in the top 10% of the wealthiest people in the world.  And that number is based on the poorest in our great country.  Wow!  I am so thankful to God for putting me where I am and giving me the means to help others.  In a nutshell, if you are truly thankful, then you will give back.  Everything you have is indeed God's anyway.  How will you now give back as we enter the Christmas season?