Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to all whom His favor rests. Luke 2:14
This time of the year, we are quickly going about making preparations for Christmas. Adults are shopping, attending Christmas parties and anxiously waiting for precious time off from work. Children are looking forward to the holiday break from school, helping with decorating and anticipating the various gifts they will receive.
Preparing for Christmas day, means doing everything right and making everyone happy, but this stress causes us to feel frazzled and drained. There is the perception that time is flying by and we just can’t get everything done in time. Although it seems hard to achieve this joy, we believe it is our responsibility and we can make it happen.
Is all this truly necessary if we want to have a successful Christmas Day? Yes and no.
Yes, because all these traditions help us get in to the Christmas spirit of sharing good times and giving to those we love and care for.
And no, because we have, to some extent forgotten the true meaning of Christmas. Our focus is to make everyone happy, when everyone should already be happy because we are celebrating the birth of Christ, our Savior. We should enjoy the beautiful season and feel the joy that God wants us to feel.
Even with the stress of the season, above all else, we seek peace, contentment and joy.
Over two thousand years ago, a young woman named Mary said yes to the angel when told she would bear a child who would save us. She had the opportunity to say no but she believed in God’s plan for His people and accepted the preparations for our salvation.
Mary and Joseph had a difficult time in preparing for the birth of Jesus. They had to move to another town for the census; and had no place to give birth except with God’s creatures (which were probably surprised by the uninvited guests); and immediately after Jesus was born, they had to flee to Egypt because Herod sought to destroy their child. Now that is a difficult Christmas! In spite of these hard obstacles, Mary had faith in the Lord, that he would lead her on the correct path.
During this Christmas season, take the time to contemplate what this Holy Day means for you in particular. Focus more on the laughter and cheer when sitting around the table Christmas Eve, when your children or grandchildren are not only happy to be with you but also thankful for what you have done for them. Take a moment to think about and pray for those who have passed. Sing a few carols or find them online and listen to the words.
When in church for the various Services, with your brothers and sisters in the Lord, remember to be thankful that we are free to worship. Thank God for loving us and for the greatest gift ever, in the history of all humanity – His Son, Jesus Christ.
God has indeed favored us! May this Christmas bring you peace, joy and the ability to glorify Him Who bestows everything upon us. Remember, we are not alone to do everything by ourselves, especially our salvation.
The Providence Association wishes all our members and their families a Very Merry Christmas and a Blessed and Prosperous New Year.
Christ is Born! Glorify Him!
Христос Рождаєтсья! Славімь Иого!
Українські Колядки https://youtu.be/REwIYLaxt9o