A Time to Remember
By Vanessa Dawson
One of my favourite Christmas decorations is a simple Nativity set my Mom gave me when I was first married. We set it up under our tree each year – the shepherds and sheep are gathered by the stable but Mary and Joseph start on the other side of the room and move a little closer each day. When our kids were little they loved waking up and seeing how far they had moved and knew the closer Mary and Joseph got to the stable the closer Christmas was! Everyone is in place on Christmas morning, including Jesus. It has been a fun tradition and a great opportunity to remember the significance of the Christmas season.
Psalm 77:11-12 says, “But then I recall all you have done, O LORD: I remember your wonderful deeds of long ago. They are constantly in my thoughts. I cannot stop thinking about your mighty works.”
In the midst of all the busyness of December I am encouraged to take some time to remember the “wonderful deeds” God has done in my life. I try to fill my mind with the memories of God’s goodness and faithfulness. I often begin by creating a list of people and things I am thankful for. Next, I reflect on the character of God. Remembering who He is. There is a lot going on in our lives and in the world around us, remembering who God is can often help us gain perspective and bring us peace. Finally, taking time to remember how I have been blessed can prompt me to reach out to someone else who may need encouragement or help seeing God’s love and faithfulness in this season.
How have you seen God working in your life this year? Who and what are you thankful for today? How does God’s character encourage you in this season? Who is on your heart today that you can reach out to and encourage or bless in a tangible way?
Christmas is a special time of year to remember and celebrate God’s greatest gift to us, His Son Jesus. God loves us so much that He provided a way for us to be in relationship with Him through faith in His Son Jesus. Isaiah 9:6 says, “For a child is born to us, a son is given to us. The government will rest on his shoulders. And he will be called: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” In Matthew 1:23 we also read about Mary giving birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel, which means ‘God is with us’.
I pray you would remember we have a God who is with us always, He is faithful and good. He loves you so very much!
Blessings, Vanessa
One of my favourite Christmas decorations is a simple Nativity set my Mom gave me when I was first married. We set it up under our tree each year – the shepherds and sheep are gathered by the stable but Mary and Joseph start on the other side of the room and move a little closer each day. When our kids were little they loved waking up and seeing how far they had moved and knew the closer Mary and Joseph got to the stable the closer Christmas was! Everyone is in place on Christmas morning, including Jesus. It has been a fun tradition and a great opportunity to remember the significance of the Christmas season.
Psalm 77:11-12 says, “But then I recall all you have done, O LORD: I remember your wonderful deeds of long ago. They are constantly in my thoughts. I cannot stop thinking about your mighty works.”
In the midst of all the busyness of December I am encouraged to take some time to remember the “wonderful deeds” God has done in my life. I try to fill my mind with the memories of God’s goodness and faithfulness. I often begin by creating a list of people and things I am thankful for. Next, I reflect on the character of God. Remembering who He is. There is a lot going on in our lives and in the world around us, remembering who God is can often help us gain perspective and bring us peace. Finally, taking time to remember how I have been blessed can prompt me to reach out to someone else who may need encouragement or help seeing God’s love and faithfulness in this season.
How have you seen God working in your life this year? Who and what are you thankful for today? How does God’s character encourage you in this season? Who is on your heart today that you can reach out to and encourage or bless in a tangible way?
Christmas is a special time of year to remember and celebrate God’s greatest gift to us, His Son Jesus. God loves us so much that He provided a way for us to be in relationship with Him through faith in His Son Jesus. Isaiah 9:6 says, “For a child is born to us, a son is given to us. The government will rest on his shoulders. And he will be called: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” In Matthew 1:23 we also read about Mary giving birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel, which means ‘God is with us’.
I pray you would remember we have a God who is with us always, He is faithful and good. He loves you so very much!
Blessings, Vanessa