 Painting by Nathan Greene Christmas! The very word stirs within us thoughts and images of Joy, Hope, Longing, Expectation. We each bring our own stories and memories into the heart of this season. What is yours? What will Christmas bring into your story this year? I'm not at all prepared for Christmas in many ways. I haven't finished decorating the house and I've barely started the shopping, but this year I'm trying to approach the holiday differently. I want to take time to still my heart to receive the quiet gifts that each day brings and delight in them. Gifts that I am often too busy to receive or notice……...the scents, the sounds, the sights, the wonder, the Word. It seems as if the Lord is whispering…. Look. Listen. Prepare your heart. Let go of the pressure and embrace the joy, because in the midst of the whirlwind, the crowds and the busyness of the season, Christmas - the coming of the Christ Child - is meant to be personal and intimate and sacred. The story of Christmas forever changed the world and the human heart. Centuries ago the prophet Isaiah proclaimed the coming of the Messiah to God’s people. “Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight in the wilderness a highway for our God!” A Savior, a King, a Deliverer has come for you and for me. He is the One born to set us free and release us from fear and sin. He is the One who brings comfort and rest and peace and joy to every heart prepared to receive Him. For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the Lord Almighty will accomplish this. Isaiah 9:6-7 The Father’s Love reached down to us on that glorious, miraculous night over 2000 years ago when Jesus was born. The Lord God Almighty presented His long awaited promise, His Son, wrapped in human flesh. The light of heaven broke through our darkness with hope. God’s gift of love came and offered joy for every longing heart.  Father God left the galaxies of heaven and came down to earth out of His great love for us. This year as I try to slow down my pace a little it's wonderful to ponder anew the story... the ones whom God chose to participate in the birth of His Son. I want to prepare the way for my heart to receive the Savior in my life this season afresh. I want to experience the beauty and joy of His coming. I invite you to join me. The night Jesus Christ was born heaven’s joy could not be contained! Imagine…….. a multitude of the heavenly hosts singing “Glory to God in the Highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!” The angels song echoed though the Bethlehem hills..... and into the hearts of a group of gentle shepherds. They made their way to the manger bed and fell to their knees, overcome with joy, and they left glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen just as they had been told. And Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. Try to place yourself there at the manger. Mary, the young virgin whom God chose to be His vessel to carry His gift of love into our world, cradles this treasure from heaven and holds Him sleeping in her loving arms.  She holds the One who will save us from our sins, the One who is God incarnate, the One who brings Joy! He is here. He is God with us. Jesus. Emmanuel. " ... a God so for us that He is a God who chooses to be with us." Ann Voskamp, The Greatest Gift God enters our world as a baby, vulnerable, fragile and tender. Come...draw close to the Savior, the sleeping, holy child in the manger for whom the whole world has waited and pause in wonder at the miracle of it all. The story of Christmas, of that Holy Night, is your story and mine. It is a love story that God planned for you since the beginning of time. Jesus... His name brings forgiveness for our sins. He came to rescue us, to reconcile us, to offer hope in our helplessness, grace in our brokenness, joy in our sorrow, and peace in our pain. The hands that made the heavens are reaching out to you and me to make us new. Jesus offers us His gift of love. And yet in the hurry and bustle of Christmas it would be so easy to miss it. To miss the wonder, the beauty, the joy…. the Savior. At the Drake house for the last few months we have been preparing our hearts and voices to bring the Christmas Musical entitled "Joy" to the Chapel next weekend. There is one song that continues to run over and over in my mind. Listen and read the lyrics. Awaken Us What is we miss Love's finest moment-- our Rescue breathing in our midst, the Holy now in flesh appearing: What if we take for granted this beauty unfolding, like it is just another night? What if we look, but we're not blinded by the light? Awaken us, glory in the highest, to the wonders of Your love, to the wonders of Your love, Awaken us, glory in the highest, for unto us a Child is born. We don't want to miss this. Are these the hands that made the heavens now reaching out to make us new: Is this the heart our sin has broken, the eyes of grace You see us through. Sing, Hallelujah. Behold our God who comes to save. What kind of God are You to give Yourself away? Awaken us, glory in the highest, to the wonders of Your love, to the wonders of Your love, Awaken us, glory in the highest, for unto us a Child is born. We don't want to miss this. In the dark a Baby's cry Hope is born for us tonight. Now forgiveness has a name - Jesus Name that sets the captives free Mighty God and Prince of Peace, hear the song of the redeemed - Jesus (Chorus) Words and music by Travis Cottrell, Sue C. Smith and David Moffitt  That glorious Christmas night the everlasting Light of Jesus came to dwell among us. All who came to the manger were changed by the light of His presence as they beheld the mystery of God’s love. Come….. let us adore Him and let us live for His glory, ushering in His light to shatter the darkness of our world! Awaken us Father! Stir our hearts by your Spirit that we might look deeply into the light of your grace that came to save us at Christmas and be forever changed for your glory! During the next few weeks won't you join me in preparing your heart for Christmas by trying to slow down and ponder the wonder, beauty and joy of the birth of the Christ Child. Joy has come to our world! Let us Celebrate the season, the story, and above all, the Savior of Christmas! Sherry and I want to wish you all a very joyous and Merry Christmas! We will be taking a little break from the Monday Musings blog until the first of the year to devote special time to our Savior, our families, friends, and the sights and sounds of the season. We pray that you will have a very blessed Christmas filled with His unending love, abundant joy and perfect peace!  Rejoicing in the Savior, Kathy If you have a moment, enjoy some beautiful music to still and prepare your heart to unwrap the gift of the Savior this Christmas.  Recommended Advent Reading and video Isaiah 9: 1-7; Isaiah 40:1-5; Micah 2: 2-5; Luke 1-2; Matthew 1-3 The Greatest Gift, Ann Voskamp, aholyexperience.com (see advent videos each Sunday in December) The Power of Christmas Prayer, Stormie Omartian The Women of Christmas, Liz Curtis Higgs  If you would like to receive the "Monday Musings" RESTORE blog each week via email, please sign up and enter your email address in the upper right hand corner.
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As I sit here with coffee in hand and pray over what to write to you, this one thing comes to my mind. It is a confession with an exhortation! I speak to you humbly and honestly. Currently (and again), I am living my life with crowded margins – As my life story is written and laid out, I have pressed to the outer limits – filling every blank space and even then, cramming more onto the page of each day! I’m drowning in commitments, over achievement, and a brain that works overtime trying to solve problems and to minimize the chaos that I have created. Some of you who know me well, watch…shake your head…and respond with “there she goes again.” Or, you sit in judgment and think, “she does this to herself!” Your thoughts and judgments are true. It seems to be a pattern in my life just like the giant waves that come in and go out, they also rise and fall. I seem to ride them but the ride is rough! It is something that God continues to work on in my life to teach me management skills. I'm simply hard headed. Just when I think I've got it under control, I'm over taken again by placing myself deep into things that require a huge magnitude of time and energy.  There are busy seasons in my job as a music teacher and when those times come to an already full life, sometimes it feels like “The Perfect Storm” and I’m tossed around just trying to survive. I am so thankful for the tiniest of moments when there is a lapse of activity and a moment of calm like the eye of the storm! I am approaching the eye and I see some calm waters ahead. But in the midst of the raging and torrential storm, my sweet husband threw out a life ring and surprised me with a little get away. My first thought was, “Great! (deep sigh) Now I’m really going to be behind and more stressed out with deadlines…I have so much to do!” He had an extended weekend off and knows how much I love to get away. I also think he could see me crashing. I’m so grateful for that little reprieve and the lifeline! It has taken me four full days to slightly recover (just a little). I’m slap worn out and limp like an over steamed vegetable! We had a nice time being together but I wasn’t much fun. I found myself sitting on every bench I could find, slow moving, unmotivated, weepy at even the silliest of things, and I wasn’t much for conversation as I slept to and from our get away. I couldn’t even sit on the bed without falling over indulging in a quick minute of rest. How sad and pathetic! I looked into the mirror and got a real shock the other morning! I looked awful – in fact, so awful that I scared myself a little. “Who is this person and what did you do to the Masterpiece that I have created?!”  Then I had that “talk to the mirror” conversation: Look what you’ve done! What are you thinking?...obviously you are not thinking! Why do you do this to yourself? You’re simply stupid! You know better! You need a RESTORE Retreat; but how can you help others be restored when you can’t even do it yourself? Do you see the hidden words….YOU? I’m back to the sin of self focus. Of course I was so exhausted, Satan took advantage and did his condemnation dance round about me! Quickly I recognized this tune and prayed for help. I also had to step back and examine the cause and reality of my exhaustion. I did it again…I’m trying to do too many things and in my own strength…managing nothing very successfully…focusing on the giant word of 4 little letters…self. It is very easy for me to take over God’s work in my life. It’s just not easy to maintain. Besides, He didn’t intend for me to be boss! He is the one with good things planned…long ago! I make a mess of everything. The question of “What did you do to the Masterpiece that I have created” lingered. I confess, I am guilty…guilty of neglect. Guilty of neglecting the more important things. Those are the things with eternal value. Taking up my cross and denying self daily. (Luke 9:23,24) It seems that the masterpiece has been the center of attention far too long. It has gotten dirty, worn out, torn, faded, used up and has lost its shine.  Today I looked into the mirror again and asked myself, where is that masterpiece? I looked hard and deep into the eyes in the mirror. A reflection of something that God treasures and holds dear to his heart stared back at me through His mirror of truth. With a broken heart I cried out, I am here Lord. I just need a little repairing, renovating, and restoration! I ask for forgiveness. Use me as you see fit. Don’t we all need some repairing? I’m certain that I am not the only one who fills in the margins of life. Perhaps you can relate. Identify your faults and repent. Jesus is ready to renew your mind and heart. I love Romans 12: 1,2 but let’s read only verse two: “And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what [is] that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. Oh Father, who watches over me with grace and mercy, help me not conform to the patterns of this world, the busyness, the selfishness, and acts of self-reliance. Transform and renew my mind with your ways, your thoughts, and your actions. For in doing so, I will know all that you desire of me; for it is good, acceptable, and perfect. It is your will and not mine. Restore unto me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me. (Ps. 51:12) I am weak and weary for I walk in the flesh. Remove those desires and replace them with a heart of service and love. Guide my way and let me flourish like the palm tree (Ps. 92:12-15) bearing fruit, staying green and fresh as I proclaim your steadfastness. For surely you are my Rock! It is you whom I worship and adore. May my actions reflect my love for you and help draw others into the knowledge of your saving power. Please forgive my sins, once again I pray. Let me find strength in your healing grace. In Jesus' Name, Amen. Exhortation: During the busyness of the next few weeks, take time to keep Christ the center of your life. Do only what He calls you to do. Sure, you may be like me with tons on your plate; some of us can handle lots or God has required much of us. What often occurs and causes the most pain is doing and carrying things in your own strength. This is where I get into trouble. That’s when everything begins to fall apart. Show love this season and help someone in need, not just physical needs but maybe an emotional need or offer a spiritual nudge. Serve one another in love. If you see your brother falling, help him. “Brethren, even if anyone is caught in any trespass, you who are spiritual, restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness; each one looking to yourself, so that you too will not be tempted. Bear one another's burdens, and thereby fulfill the law of Christ.” Gal. 6:1,2 Kathy has written some wonderful thoughts on Juggling Life's Demands with Grace. I would like to encourage you to go back through, study and meditate on these truths. If necessary, print them out. Apply them to your life. They are simplistic and foundational, yet so relevant. Remind yourself to live them out. How easy it seems to slip back into old habits even when you know God's word. I cannot wait for the eye of my demanding storm to hover over me; allowing me opportunity to rediscover the richness of His word, I need them now! It is in the midst of the raging winds that I must hold fast to His words and carry them with me during life's demands! Honestly Speaking, Sherry  If you would like to receive the "Monday Musings" RESTORE blog each week via email, please sign up and enter your email address in the upper right hand corner.
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