"And the angel said to them, 'Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of a great joy which shall be for all the people; for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.'"
Luke 2: 10,11
I find my heart filled with that great joy as I walk through these days of Advent - joy and gratitude. I have finally learned that this kind of joy has nothing to do with the circumstances I am walking through - whether they are all I had hoped they would be or my worst fears come to pass. It has everything to do with the earth-shattering message delivered by heavenly messengers to the humblest of men.
Four hundred years of silence ended with a tiny baby's cry. The Messiah had come - the Father's gift to a dying world. I am so very thankful He included me.
I am thankful for:
- answered prayer - so unexpected - so humbling - so miraculous.
- seeing my Dad begin to rally and the light return to my Mom's eyes
- my husband who works tirelessly to help my parents without ever being asked
- little granddaughters' welcoming hugs
- the celebrations of Christmas: the music, the Word, the remembering
- watching the heartwarming trend toward giving more of ourselves and less to ourselves
- sharing a cup of tea and Christmas goodies with family and friends
- the strains of "Silent Night" filling the aisles of the grocery store - trying to hide the tears that would come
- kindred hearts warming and encouraging one another - using technology to share the Good News
To join the Gratitude Community just hop on over to Ann's. There is a lovely guest writer there today. You will be blessed.
Christmas Blessings,
Linda
