Man do I love Christmas. In our house it starts October 1st! We want the season to last as long as possible. I love it all…..the weather, the lights and decorations, the buying of perfect gifts for loved ones….It’s the best! But what I love most is the feeling. The feeling of Christmas, to me, is a feeling of hope. You feel it when singing Christmas carols. You feel it in the air. Nothing can really bring you down. That feeling starts when you’re a tiny child, and for most, it never stops. Sure, the holiday season is busy and oftentimes stressful. And it’s hard sometimes, celebrating Christmas after losing a friend or loved one. But even at its most stressful or sad, you are still filled with hope….but why? Because there is magic in the air. And hopefully a few snowflakes!…And that magic started the day we all received the ultimate gift. The gift of a tiny baby, born in a barn, placed in a manger in swaddling clothes. Because on that day, it was a new beginning. Because no matter what happened before, everything would change. All sins could be forgiven. All pasts could be forgotten. All wrongs could be made right. Suddenly the future was bright and secure and it was all because God sent his son not into the world to condemn the world but that world through him might be saved!! That is the real reason that Christmas is the season of hope. The season of change. The season of glad tidings and Joy. 

 

So this Christmas season, let that hope wash over you. No matter what happened this past year, the past 20 years, this is the season to renew your spirits. Let the magic of the season fill you with the joy and excitement of a new year filled with endless possibilities. With endless chances to be glad and thankful. Let’s carry that magical hope right into the new year and make 2023 our greatest year ever. Our healthiest year ever. Our kindest year ever. Our happiest year ever. Our Godliest year ever!! May the Lord bless you and keep you. May the Lord make his face to shine upon you, and be gracious to you. May the Lord lift up his countenance upon you, and give you peace!!

 

And from our families to yours, we wish you a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!!!!