Merry Christmas Eve

I LOVE Christmas, it is truly my most favorite time of the year! I love getting wrapped up in the joy of the season, the magic that rides in the air, the laughter, and the excitement of the children. Granted, I only have one right now, but he is excited! As are my nephews and all my friends' kids.

I know that there are so many debates as to what is "ok" and "christian" these days, in regards to Christmas. To Santa or not to Santa? Christmas tree or no? Then all of the more "little" things like what to cook for Christmas dinner, and how much money to spend on gifts this year.

When it all comes down to it though, I think I have realized that it doesn't matter. Really, truly, doesn't matter.

I was listening to the XM radio on TV the other day and was cruising around the internet at the same time. The song "Joy to the world" came on. I had to stop and listen, and just soak it in because it recaptured the whole point. The reason, the existence of Christmas. his amazing joyful time of year. Here are the lyrics, edited to remove the repeating lines.

Joy to the world, the Lord is come! Let earth receive her King; Let every heart prepare Him room, And heaven and nature sing, Joy to the world, the Savior reigns! Let men their songs employ; While fields and floods, rocks, hills and plains Repeat the sounding joy, No more let sins and sorrows grow, Nor thorns infest the ground; He comes to make His blessings flow Far as the curse is found, He rules the world with truth and grace, And makes the nations prove The glories of His righteousness, And wonders, wonders, of His love.

Beautiful isn't it? So many parts of this song just resonated with me. Especially the first four lines. The whole of Christmas is summed up in them.
Joy to the World, the Lord is come- Christmas is about Joy, the joy of Christ coming!
Let earth receive her King- This makes me think about the number of celebrations that have developed nations as a child was born to a King and Queen. Elaborate feasts, and rejoicing in the streets. How much more since the King of the entire world has now come?
Let every heart prepare Him room- I guess this is "key" to understanding the whole season!

As absolutely wonderful as Christmas is, and it so is, ultimately it is the prelude to Easter. That season doesn't even come close to Christmas for the joy and magical-ness, but it is equally important, and also depicted in the song.

Want to see a great video of the song?

So, why the lyrics?

It is something I noticed when I was younger. Early teens. I remember thinking that my life should have a soundtrack. Like any good movie there would be happy songs, sad songs, and melodies that moved you.

As an adult, maybe that original thought hasn't changed so much. Except now I realize that maybe instead of having a soundtrack I need a play list. Soundtracks are generally made up of ten to fifteen songs, and my life contains so much more than that.

So the songs I share are the ones that have come to mind at certain times, like when my son was born, or I was told no more babies, or when I finally decided to grab ahold of the christmas spirit. Sometimes the lyrics themselves about do me in. Sometimes they pull my heart so close to my savior I tears will start pouring simply because I am assured that He cares about me personally. It's unreal, really.

If I can find links to the songs themselves, I will try to share them. Maybe somewhere along the road you will have the same one in your play list.

God Bless!
M-e

The Point

Maybe this won't mean a thing to anyone else, and maybe it will. I am not a pastor, a youth leader, or anyone special. I am a wife, a mom, a best friend, a sister, and a daughter. I am overly demanding of myself, and maybe a little too lackadaisical. However, it comes down to one thing, and one thing only.

I love Christ.

I screw up all the time. I make mistakes, I think horrible things about people, I have a bad attitude. Sometimes I curse. I can be short tempered and demanding. The list of my flaws is a mile long, and if you gave it a thought, maybe yours is too. Not that it is ok, but being able to admit that I screw up is terribly freeing. It means that I can turn around and try to do better next time. It means sometimes that I have to be humble (ouch) and ask for someones' forgiveness. Basically, I am not perfect and will never profess to be, and while I do on occasion say that I am, it's a lie and only used for my selfish comfort.

I have learned loads in my short-ish lifetime, a whopping 26 years. I have struggled through secondary infertility, mild depression, self esteem issues, PCOS, marriage, and child rearing. Mostly though, all of the struggles have pulled me back to faith. Not just in a supreme being that exists somewhere out there, but a very personal, real, and caring God. The God told all about in the Bible.

I am not your judge. Condemnation isn't my job.

Loving and encouraging is.

I am not a fan of the "toleration" movement.

I would prefer to not just be "tolerated" myself. Love me or hate me. Jesus wasn't a fan of toleration either... just sayin'.

So, if you are here to read, welcome. Leave me a comment if you're in the mood. Basically, leave encouraged.