Christmas Traditions

A lot of people have been asking me what my Christmas Traditions are. Every time, I told them that I didn't really know. Well, obviously I wasn't thinking because my family has a ton. So here it goes...
1) Stockings before presents are opened on Christmas morning
2) A special breakfast with the same dishes every year are made: 2 egg casseroles, sticky buns, and sauteed fruit.
3) Presents are traditionally opened from youngest to oldest and normally last until noon or later depending on the crowd.
4) Christmas dinner is eaten twice. Christmas day with my paternal family and the 26th with my maternal family.
5) Christmas dinner with my aunt usually consists of wacko English traditional games. (ex: Yesterday we wore paper crowns and sung carols with bazookas until we win prizes).
6) A 5 gallon bin of homemade chex-mix is made every year as well as buckeyes, hello dollies, and peanut butter fudge.
7) We go to a late night Christmas Eve service to a friend we know that preaches.
8) On the 26th a toast is made to the greatest grandfather in the world.

Everything else happens just because and we are continuing to make more traditions every year.

What are your traditions?

Prince of Peace

Isaiah 9:6 really began to rearrange my thoughts from the 23rd on. "He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace." He is not just a counselor. He is a Wonderful Counselor. He is a consoler for all who wish to find rest. He is God and he is mighty to save who takes great delight in you, and quiets you with His love (Zephaniah 3:17). He is the Everlasting, ever-reigning One. The Prince of Peace who supplies a constant feed of peace that passes understanding (Philippians 4:7) He most certainly is this and so much more.

Christmas day 2 things made this verse come alive. 1) It was right after our breakfast with the family when my grandma got a call about her dearest friend passed away on Christmas Eve. The first thought that popped into my head was not what a sad time to leave, but what better a way than to be carried away by the Prince of Peace himself on his birthday. The day where chaos is restored into peace filled with hope and joy. 2) This was Christmas day after dinner with the family. I was sitting on the couch watching my cousin with her brand new 3 month old baby boy. He was screaming and screaming after just woken up from a warm, peaceful nap. They knew that he would immediately want his bottle so they were preparing it. Let's just say that is the time when you wish technology was faster than it was. That microwave would not heat up the bottle fast enough for baby Deklon. He would not stop putting up a fuss, but his parents knew what he wanted even though he couldn't express that. They heard his cry. They ached for him to be still and settle down because they had everything under control. They were prepared for him. But, he didn't know it. All he could think of was what was happening right now in his mind and it wasn't looking promising. But, I had to think to myself...wow. Is this how I act when my Everlasting Father knows what I need but all I can think about or see is what is right in front of me? We don't know his plans, but we can be assured that he has it all prepared. In time, at the right time, the microwave will go off, and our plans will be revealed. Deklon was silent as soon as he got his bottle, for the rest of the night. If he only knew that his parents wouldn't let him go, that they had everything under control.
If we only knew, the Prince of Peace has everything under control...

Christmas Song

She was his girl, he was her boyfriend
Shed be his wife, and make him her husband.
A surprise on the way any day any day
One healthy little giggling, dribbling baby boy
The wisemen came, three made their way
To shower him with love while he lay in the hay
Shower him with love, love, love
Love,love,love
Love,love was all around.
Not very much of his childhood was known
Kept his mother mary worried always out on his own
He met another mary, who for a reasonable fee,
Less than reputable was known to be
His heart was full of love, love, love
Love, love, love
Love, love was all around.
When Jesus Christ nailed to his tree
Said oh daddy-o, I can see how it all soon will be
I came to shed a little light on this darkening sea
Instead I fear Ive spilled the blood of my children all around
The blood of my children all around
The blood of my childrens all around.
So Im told, so the story goes
The people he knew were less than golden-hearted
Gamblers and robbers,
Drinkers and jokers, all soul searchers
Like you and me, like you and me
Rumors insisted that he soon would be
For his deviations taken into custody
By the authorities, less informed than he
Drinkers and jokers, all soul searchers
Searching for love, love, love
Love, love, love
Love, love was all around.
Preparations were made for a celebration day
He said eat this bread but think of it as me
Drink this wine and dream it will be the blood of our children all around
The blood of our children all around
The blood of our children all around
Father up above
Why in all this hatred do you fill me up with love, love, love
Love, love, love
Love, love is all around
Father up above
Why in all this hatred do you fill me up with love, fill me love, love, yeah
Love, love, love
Love, love, and the blood of our children all around.

This song was written by Dave Matthews Band and Tim Reynolds. It spoke to me what I had been thinking of for a few days. Everyone is so cheery around Christmas. People hold doors a few seconds longer for a large crowd of people. Extra errands are ran without a problem. Nice things are said around this time of year. But, unfortunately, most of that dissipates after the season.

I think it could be different. I think I could donate gifts all year round, not just Christmas. I think I can be just as cheery as if it were Christmas all year round. I think I could get in the spirit and mindset of Christmas all year round. Why? Because the gift we have been given lasts an eternity. The gift of Jesus Christ, the gift of a Savior is important 365 days of the year, not just December 24. Let's remember the cheer all year because of the greatest gift we have received. It isn't like gift cards that expire. It isn't something we can forget about. And it isn't something we should store in our closet. Just like it says in the song: " Why in all this hatred do you fill me up with love, fill me love, love, yeah?" Because He loves us. It's that simple.Because he wanted to give us the greatest gift known to mankind, the kind that will benefit us and Him. The kind that will save our souls for all eternity.

He was the only one that could bring true love, love, love...to this world.

Thank You God...

Believe=Overcoming

Believe. Believe your Father is who He says He is: the Alpha and Omega, Wonderful Counselor, and Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6). Lift your eyes up to the Heavens. You just have to believe. Don't second guess it. Believe it. If you don't think your challenge is possible...You better believe it! Victory is around the corner! Feel, smell, and breathe victory. Put on your armor, the Armor of God and fight your battles. Hold your head high. Every thought that brings you down...close the door on it. This is your chance to fight for who you believe in.

Believe. Overcome by the blood of the Lamb and your testimony (Desperation Band-Overcome). Stand strong. Do what you have to do, even visualize it. Change the channel if you are listening to defeat because that is not going to be playing in my head and don't let it in yours. I see victory. I see my Savior. I see Peace. Peace in the midst of chaos. Arene and Shalom in my life. I see rest. I see hope. I see strength. I see unconditional love. I see victory...All because I believe. I believe with my entire being. My body,soul, heart, mind, and strength are all for Him because I believe. Believe and your life will turn around. Just believe. Forget what others think. Forget the doubts. Reach out and believe. Don't waste your present time stuck in a rut, stuck in the ways of this world. You can break the addiction. You can break the habit. You can break the mindset. Just Believe. Jesus did it. He overcame the world and the best news of all...He is inside of you, strengthening you, going ahead and behind you. You have everything you need. Greater is He that is in you than the one in the world (1 John 4:4).

All because greater things are in store for you, if you just believe.