Christmas Eve – 8:30am.
It’s quiet in our house.
Overcast outside.
Our four-month-old kittens make the only noise as they friskily play.
My coffee is hot.
This is a peaceful moment.
A little more tranquil than I anticipated.
Our two teens still sleeping – no surprise there.
However, I am not sharing our master bedroom with my husband at present.
No… we’re not in the midst of a fight. We don’t fight that way anyway.
He’s taken up residence in our basement guest bedroom because he tested positive for Covid. Three days ago.
Poor guy.
Symptoms aren’t severe, but he hasn’t been as fortunate as to just have a day or two of feeling a little crummy.
He’s still battling a wicked sore throat and congestion.
Visit to my parents cancelled. Though, they would have been anyway. My mom struggling to regain stamina and freedom from pain after back surgery.
Long awaited plans to see friends now cancelled.
Potential vacation plans just after New Year’s hang in the balance.
It’s disappointing and uncomfortable.
A little sad.
Isn’t it the dimness of a background that makes a light shine all the more?
Jesus’ light.
Jesus being real and alive means that one day there really will be no disappointment or discomfort or sadness for those who believe all He’s said.
The miracle and purpose of Jesus being born from heaven through a chosen, faithful teenage and engaged girl sets alight a flame of hope that I feel right now.
Jesus humbling Himself and persevering through humanity with no glitch in His faithfulness and obedience to God is mind-boggling.
Jesus submitting to corrupt authority and accusations full of lies and hate to become the sacrifice for our sin is breathtaking.
Jesus overcoming death and hell and all their destructive endeavors is cause for “great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord”!
Jesus.
Jesus.
So, yes.
In an American cultural perspective, our family’s celebration of the season is not going to be what we hoped for.
But the central REASON for celebrating is unchanged, untinged.
We will modify our celebration.
My husband will likely join us on a screen from the basement Christmas morning.
Our circle of fellowship has shrunk for the week.
But we WILL celebrate Jesus and the magnanimous gift of Himself to us, for us.
We will enjoy each other and realize how grateful we are for the family God constructed under this roof.
We will watch our Christmas Eve service to fine-tune our focus.
I will make lamb chops to commemorate the Lamb of God, who sacrificed Himself for us.
We will have our red velvet cake with white frosting to remember God’s promise of Isaiah 1:18:
“Come now, and let us reason together,” says the LORD, “Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall be as wool.”
The rest of it…the gifts, the watching of “A Christmas Carol”, Christmas breakfast and our annual Christmas Monopoly game…they will be modified or delayed, but we will know Joy this Christmas!
Merry Christmas to you and all those you love!
**********
Resources I’m using:
I’ve texted my teens this link today by the Bible project to help them focus:
Our Advent season has not been the usual, month-long, consistent observance as we’ve done in the past.
It’s been stripped down. But (confession) it’s also been like nailing jello with teenage work and activity schedules. I certainly bear the blame for not persevering to insist on better consistency.
Here IS what we’ve used – Advent cards that I purchased through http://www.wellwateredwoman.
And our wooden Advent wreath. https://thekeepingcompany.com/collections/all
Getting the blog now. Love you. Thank you for taking such care for me and the kids!! XxOo
Thanks for all your love and support. So glad you’re improving! LOVE LOVE.
Beautiful
Thanks Jenessa!
Blessings to you and your family.
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