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Showing posts with label Christmas. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Christmas. Show all posts

Sunday, December 11, 2022

When Your Hopes and Dreams are Shattered...

 

We don't often hear much said about Joseph's heartache before the angel appeared to him.
But I think about it.
The crushing ache of his heart when he learned of Mary's apparent betrayal.
The realization that all the love he had poured into making a life for the two of them—all the hopes and dreams—were gone.
We don't know how long God waited before sending the angel to tell Joseph of the miracle within Mary's womb, but it was long enough for him to plan a quiet divorce.
Long enough for the tears to fall and the heart to shatter.
What joy must have filled Joseph's heart when he learned that the love of his life had not betrayed him, but was carrying the very Son of God! Almighty God was fulfilling His promise of salvation through this woman he loved so much.
What Joseph thought would bring the end to his hopes and dreams actually fulfilled the hopes and dreams of the entire world.
Sometimes what appears to be the end of your world is really the salvation of your world.
"But while he (Joseph) thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost.
And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name Jesus: for he shall save his people from their sins." (Matthew 1:20-21)

~  excerpt from Kimberly Joy

Wednesday, December 23, 2020

Christmas and Cancer

Two words that should never be in the same sentence... but they are, for too many of our loved ones.

Celebrating Christmas with cancer, there is no right (or wrong) way.

Every cancer journey is completely personal. Some are very private and others very open.

Mom was willing to share her story because she wanted her pain to matter. And I know she prayed it might be of help to other pancreatic cancer patients.

She was also very practical and she faced that first Christmas with a grim determination and a huge dose of grace.  With a prognosis of 3-6 months, we all knew this might be her last Christmas with us... and how exactly do you celebrate that kind of Christmas??  

Too much pressure in the midst of excruciating and nauseating treatments... celebrating anything wasn't really in the cards.

Maybe you are feeling the same.  Or perhaps you have a loved one just diagnosed.

It can be incredibly hard to get into the Christmas spirit.



If mom could, I know she'd want to offer a bit of advice.  A way through the minefield of expectations and parties and years of family traditions... a bit of grace to lighten your load.

To begin she would tell you to give yourself permission... permission to put  yourself first.

Know, and then honor, your limits.  This year might mean limiting your list.  Choosing to prioritize one or two things that are especially meaningful to you and then let go of the rest.

Someone once told her to cut her list in half, and then cut it in half again. Excellent advice!

The best gift you can give to yourself and your loved ones is time spent well with them.  It is the gift of presence.  And it means the world to the ones who love you.

May this Christmas bring moments of unexpected graces and quiet joys to see you through even the hardest days.

My Love, Always,
Jane

Monday, December 25, 2017

Love has a Name...

Even in the midst of grief, the Christmas season holds a magic...

The beauty.  The music.  The expectation shining bright in little one's eyes.

We gather to celebrate, we laugh, we hug, we feast.  All the while feeling the missing deep.  I find myself drawn to the mystery of that manger scene...


Do you think about Mary?  Do you think she knew the grief that would be her son's purpose?  Did she know the sorrow that would crack her heart wide?  I have this hope that she was sheltered from the knowledge, allowed the holy privilege of rocking her newborn son, savoring those precious moments when the baby in her arms was hers alone... before the shadow of the cross covered that blessed manger, pronouncing to all, this... this is the Savior of the world.

Love has a name.  JESUS.


The story... HIS story is still being written in our hearts.

From a simple manger to a crucifixion cross...
Christmas is the story of Love.

May this Christmas offer an everlasting Hope
because of a Saviors overcoming Love
no matter what grief shadows your heart.

Love has a name...
The baby in a manger.
Yes, His name is Jesus.

Praying Blessings of Mercy and Grace to all this day.

My Love,
Always,
Jane



Saturday, December 23, 2017

When the Holidays are colored in Loss...

Losing a loved one during the holiday season changes things...

It's been 3 weeks since Leroy's mom passed away.  The missing comes in waves... Christmas will be so very different this year.

She has been the Rock of our family for as long as I can remember, quiet and faithful, the hub around which we gathered.

Yes, Christmas will be different... the beauty of the season somehow feels at odds with the grief we're wading through.

Tonight we spent time reminiscing over faded photographs.  Seeing her smiling face brought back precious memories... and tears... but happy tears because of the love we see shining back at us.

We have been very loved... and blessed.  Very, very Blessed.

Mildred Alice
June 7, 1931 - December 1, 2017

Loved, Cherished, Remembered


































Always Loved!

Tuesday, December 6, 2016

A Hallelujah Christmas

Preparing my heart this Christmas season...


Beautiful lyrics, swelling chorus... for a baby born to us...

May your spirit be lifted this night, as we begin to celebrate...

A Hallelujah Christmas!





Friday, December 25, 2015

Heaven's Kiss...


Heaven's Kiss Goodnight
this Beautiful Christmas Day...

Praying that His Love has whispered sweet to your heart today,
giving Peace, and Hope, and Joy
wherever you are!

All My Love,
              Jane

Thursday, December 25, 2014

A Different Kind of Christmas...

Sometimes a song says it all.

Cherish the message, may it minister to your heart...


Blessings this Christmas!

May Love and Laughter Ring Your Table
and Peace Reign in Your Life...

Wednesday, December 25, 2013

Merry Christmas!

 

Merry Christmas!
 
May your day be Sweetly Blessed by
Tidings of Good News...
 
A Babe is Born Today
A Savior sent in Love
A Gift, A Treasure of the most Precious Kind...
 
May He be the Present you unWrap all year long!
 
All My Love,
     Jane

Tuesday, December 25, 2012

The Forever Gift

 
 
Sweet Christ-child come to us,
turning even a lowly stable
into Holy Ground.
 
May you be welcome always.
Gracing our lives
with the Gift of your
Forever Love,
 
From our Stable to yours,
 
MERRY CHRISTMAS! 
 

Sunday, December 25, 2011

Merry Christmas

.... A child shall lead them . . .


Blessed baby Autumn... bringing joy to hearts heavy with grief today.

Love you punkin'!

"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."
            ~ Isaiah 9:6

May the peace of this very Christmas lighten your hearts today.  My love, Jane