The hustle and bustle of the Christmas season is upon us!

It is not even the first of December and I have already rang the bell for the Salvation Army, been in a Christmas parade, decorated the house and tree, and wrote my Christmas letter.  With many more days and activities to come, I want to take time a remember why I am celebrating.

It’s all about you, Jesus.  I celebrate Christmas because of You.

Because You chose to dwell among us, I have been given the ultimate gift of a savior who understands me, a friend who is able to redeem me, and savior who hears my prayers and understands my joy and heartache.  You chose to clothe yourself in humanity so you could relate to me.  I can’t think of better way to celebrate Christmas than remembering the love you so freely pour out for me and the world.

The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us.  We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full or grace and truth.  John 1:14

It is a couple of days before  Thanksgiving and I sit here pondering the events of last couple of years….

Six years ago, my life was in complete shambles.  My marriage was a disaster and I was trying to hold on to whatever sanity I could muster.  A few weeks before Thanksgiving I had asked my husband for a divorce.  I couldn’t keep on living with an alcoholic–the anger, resentment and just plain confusion were too much to bear.  We had been invited to my sister-in-laws parents for Thanksgiving dinner–however was I going to make it through the day.  I sat around the table as everyone stated “something they were grateful for”; I couldn’t think of anything.  I must have mumbled something that appeased the masses but I really didn’t feel grateful.

Fast forward to present day.  I am so grateful for everything God has taken me through, given me, and His love that He continues to pour out on me.  My husband celebrates 6 years of sobriety, my marriage has been restored, and our daughter is a senior in high school.  We could have only made this far by the grace of God.

Everything I am, have, and love is due to Jesus, My Lord and Savior, and I am eternally grateful.