Goodbye to 2024

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.

John 14:27 (NIV)

A sheet of gray covered the sky. Naked bald cypress trees stood like weary sentinels along the shore. A scraggly periwinkle bloom jiggled with a wee breeze. Brown grass edged the lake. Dead weeds tried to smother green plants at the waterline. 

            No ducks swam on the dark lake. Only an occasional bird song drifted through the air. The gloomy morning seemed like a fitting end to a tumultuous year. 

            Wars, threats of more wars, hurricanes, protests, contentious elections, crime… News reports focused on tragedies and increased anxiety. The world seemed doomed. 

            People hoped for a new year vastly different. But a switch in years won’t alter reality nor instantly change humanity. 

            Even in the darkness of my morning and of the world, there are glimmers of hope and much to be thankful for. 

            Although many people have died and left grieving loved ones, every day babies are born to bring new life. A friend’s newborn triplet grandchildren give joy to the family and smiles to all who see their adorable pictures. 

            Friends gather to visit in person and also with technology. Millions live in stable homes with plenty of food. People affected by horrible natural disasters have been helped as they rebuild.

            Doctors and nurses care for patients in hospitals with advanced techniques. 

            Our country gives us more freedom than most with an opportunity to advance. 

            Unfortunately, not everyone has the same possibilities. Of course, we can focus on what is wrong in the world and feel anger or depression. 

            As 2025 arrives, everyone has a choice to make: live a life filled with anger and despair or one of hope, contentment and peace.  To search for what is wrong in the world or look for what is good and how to make it better. 

            Because of multiple trials, I know how difficult life can be. However, I also know that with Jesus, my life is better. He has been with me in all kinds of hard times so I know He won’t leave me now.

            This is not my home but I am passing through and look ahead to my heavenly home. 

Loving Father, as we face a new year, help us look for opportunities to help others. Give us glimmers of hope in our weary world. Your peace is more than the world can give.

Amen.

Reflections of Christmas

It is good to give thanks to the Lord, to sing praises to your name, O Most High; to declare your steadfast love in the morning, and your faithfulness by night…

Psalm 92:1-2 (ESV)

Memories, some hazy and others very clear, of Christmas eleven years ago flooded my mind. Before the holiday, sadness crept over me and intertwined with joy. 

            In May, my dad passed away. Mother’s health declined.  She lived at my brother’s home with a full-time caregiver. 

            After Alan’s infusions stopped, his idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis worsened. Fatigue, coughing, and shortness of breath increased. 

            Despite wanting to admit it, I believed Christmas of 2014 would be the last one with Alan and mother. 

            We tried to make it as normal as possible. Anne’s mom hosted all of us for a lovely Christmas Eve dinner. Soon after we ate, Alan’s fatigue set in and we left early.

            The following morning, we arrived early at Chris and Anne’s to watch our granddaughters open gifts. Then Chris prepared a delicious brunch. 

            Alan joined in the celebration and left his O2 tank in the car. Three year-old Molly cuddled up to him like she did before the tubes circled his face. The contraption seemed to frighten her. 

            Since Alan felt stronger, we traveled to my brother’s home for a family dinner with extended family members. Mother’s caregiver wheeled her to the table. Even though she ate very little, she enjoyed the company. We savored the food, delighted in being together but missed dad and his jokes. I tried not to dwell on the reality of not all being together again. 

            For Christmas, I gave mother a sweater she wanted and the Guideposts daily devotional. For years, I had given my parents the year-long book so I didn’t want to stop. Although my heart wanted her to be able to finish it, my head told me she wouldn’t. 

            For years our Christmas meals were at my parents’ home with mother working for days to prepare. We would help her clean up. That day she rested. 

            Our holiday gatherings had dwindled in size and frequency as loved ones passed away and moved apart. 

            That day we didn’t dwell on who was there or who wasn’t. We embraced the moment and rejoiced we were together. 

            When my niece gave Alan a good-by hug, her eyes told me she knew it was the final one. 

            After a full day celebrating, we packed up and I drove home. God had blessed us with a remarkable Christmas. Laughter and companionship pushed aside tears and grief. Alan’s O2 tank only left the car when we got home. We were astonished that he didn’t require it all day long like he usually did. 

            Only a couple of weeks later, Alan joined Jesus in heaven. Mother followed in April. 

            I was so thankful for our final Christmas blessing. We thought it might be the last but only God knew for sure.

            Gather and talk to your family and friends often. Put aside differences and join in love. We have no idea when the last time will be the final one. 

Loving Father, thank you for bringing people together. Thank you for the blessings you give us. Help us appreciate the people you place in our lives. Amen

The Real Reason for Christmas

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Isaiah 9:6 (ESV)

A collection of Christmas cards laid on my counter from various organizations that hoped I would send them donations. I placed them in two stacks after I looked at each one. The larger batch contained pictures of Santa, cute animals and even seashells with texts about happiness, joy and giving. 

            The much smaller pile represented the holy family, angels, stars, churches, wise men and shepherds. Messages relayed the birth of Jesus, the announcement from the angels, and verses from the Bible. 

            I used the ones which featured the true meaning of Christmas. 

            Unfortunately, many people around the world want to experience the superficial happiness, gifts and parties of the Christmas season without Jesus. They either ignore or don’t even know why Christmas is important. 

            Instead of getting caught up in the hectic chaos of Christmas, take time to truly celebrate the birth of Jesus. Read Isaiah 9:6-7, Matthew 2:1-23 and Luke 2:1-20. 

Share what you read with a friend or family member who may not know the story. Invite someone to church for Christmas Eve. Wish people a Merry Christmas and reach out to someone who is grieving or alone. 

Be more like Jesus to others and tell them about Him. He is the reason we celebrate. 

Heavenly Father, thank you for bringing Jesus to us. Show us how to love others like He does and tell them about Him.

Amen

Joy in a Manger

And it came to pass in those days that a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. This census first took place while Quirinius was governing Syria. So all went to be registered, everyone to his own city. Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, to be registered with Mary, his betrothed wife, who was with child. So it was, that while they were there, the days were completed for her to be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

Luke 2:1-8 (NKJV)

Twenty nativities filled the entertainment center in my living room. Each one presented unique figures crafted by various artists from the United States and other countries we visited on our travels around the world. 

            Every stable held Mary, Joseph and Jesus but some also included angels, shepherds, wise men, sheep, cows, and even camels. Although it would have been out of place in Israel, eighteen of the nativities placed the holy family in a wooden stable. Shepherds at that time protected their sheep inside caves in the hills around Bethlehem but only two of the nativities displayed caves as the birthplace of Jesus. 

            Every nativity represented an artist’s interpretation of the miraculous night when Jesus was born. The figures, frozen in place, depicted a clean stable with eyes fixed on the baby in the manger. A few knelt in reverence while the rest watched in awe. 

            The baby slept. Silent parents marveled at their precious son. Shepherds and wise men stared at the babe in the tidy manger. Angels hovered over the stable with arms outstretched. Each scene portrayed a sense of peace, joy and contentment. 

            No Roman soldiers stood near a dirty manger looking at the newborn. No crowds of travelers swarmed into the smelly stable.

But when Jesus was born in Bethlehem, there was little peace filling the streets. Romans occupied the country and Caesar Augustus demanded residents travel to their ancestral towns for a census even when it was inconvenient. 

Like individuals of long ago, we seek peace, joy and contentment. People try to find happiness in a variety of ways in our chaotic world but discover it is fleeting. 

During Advent, we prepare for Jesus’ birth and the celebration it brings. Slow down, examine the meaning of the nativity, and remember what Jesus brought. Joy to the world. 

He is no longer an adorable baby in a manger but a Savior who goes with us into our messy world.  

Loving Father, thank you for sending your son to rescue us. Thank you for the peace, joy and contentment we receive in knowing him all year and not just at Christmas.

Amen