I woke yesterday, December 23rd, with a great deal on mind. My “to do” list was quite long. After caring
for Mark and his needs, I attacked my list. But as I did, I felt the Holy Spirit tugging at me to step
away from all that was vying for my attention. I began reading the Christmas story in Luke. I have
been meditating on these verses since Thanksgiving, asking God to reveal new truths to me– and He
has!
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With my journal in hand, I began to write… “It’s amazing that the One we celebrate at this time of
the year is the One we often neglect at this time of the year.” I could write those words because I
have been guilty of that very thing the past few weeks. This fact has been evident in my responses to
Mark when he has wanted something or tried to communicate (with great difficulty) a need he had.
Feeling the pressure of my “to do” list and the deadline of Christmas upon me, and not having
spent time with the Father and in His Word, my attitude and responses have been anything but
Christ like.
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This afternoon, I was helping Mark pull up a message on his i-Pad by Pastor Jim Cymbala. As I was
leaving the room, he asked me to turn out the lights and shut the door. I walked away almost jealous
of his time to worship and focus on God’s Word. He is still! Not by choice, but by God’s sovereign
will and design.
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I really think if Mark were given the choice, he would choose to remain right where God has him.
The time he has each day in the Word (on audio due to weakness in his eyes), praying, thinking,
meditating and listening to praise music draws him to the One he has loved and served for so many
years. In this season, and during this time, he is more attentive than ever to the One whose birth we
celebrate.
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May those of us who are not daily confined to a bed realize the value of laying aside our “to do” list.
May we choose to be still in the presence of the One who came that we might know Him and make
Him known!
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Don’t be afraid, Mary,” the angel told her, “for you have found favor with God! You will conceive and give birth to a
son, and you will name him Jesus. He will be very great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God
will give him the throne of his ancestor David. and he will reign over Israel forever; his Kingdom will never end!
The Savior—yes, the Messiah, the Lord—has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David!
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Glory to God in highest heaven, and peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased. Luke 1:30-33, 2:11,14 NIV
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Merry Christmas and Blessings for the New Year!
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Dianne