Thoughts Along the Journey

I hope you all had a joyous, wonder-filled Christmas. My favorite part is watching the kids' faces as they open their gifts. My best gift came from my husband. A note in a little box, telling me of his gift: a trip to see my family in Kansas!!! We will be heading west in about 1 1/2 weeks...which means I get to be there for my "big" birthday (yes, that 4-0 thing I mentioned previously). Thanks to all for the wishes via e-mail and posts.

The pre-Christmas hustle and bustle stresses me out. Don't get me wrong. I'm no Scrooge or Grinch. I love the lights. I love singing the carols. I love the anticipation of celebrating the birth of the Savior. I love buying gifts for my kids and husband. I enjoy seeing the tree lit up, weighed down with our menagerie of ornaments. This year, I've even become quite a Christmas movie buff. (I especially like the old ones: "It's a Wonderful Life", "White Christmas", "A Christmas Carol" (with George C. Scott), "Miracle on 34th Street" (black and white version with Natalie Wood). I'd like to see "The Nativity". And, of course, my two childhood faves, "How the Grinch Stole Christmas" and "A Charlie Brown Christmas".) I like seeing the house looking all festive. I love all the church services, each with their own special significance and meaning. But when it's all said and done, it mostly makes me...t...

The whole idea of Advent is a fairly new concept to me. I heard about it some when I was growing up, but didn't really know much about it. Over the past few years, I have come to learn more about what it means. I have grown to love the meaning and the season. Advent begins 4 Sundays before Christmas Day. Each week, the readings in church are focused on the prophecies of Christ's birth. But they also focus on His second coming. Both emphases remind us that we are to prepare our hearts for His coming: to welcome Him into our hearts, and to welcome Him when He returns in glory. My prayer for all who read this, is that you have a heart ready to receive Him. That you will be open to all He has for you this Christmas season. And that you will be anticipating His return with great joy! "He who testifies to these things, says, ' Surely I am coming quickly. ' Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus! The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen." (Revelation 2...