What is Christmas about? It is obviously about the birth of Jesus. The small, innocent baby who came into our world, not in a sterile environment, but in a cave or stable where animals lived.  He was born to a woman who made the choice to follow God’s requests, knowing the horror her son would have to live through in his future, and even on the day of his birth.  He was born into a world, in which a wealthy king was so jealous and afraid of a better king, that he took lives of hundreds of male babies, and was allowed to.  As much as the world seems confusing and evil in many ways today, Jesus came into it when it was much worse.  With his birth, we not only received the gift of life after death, but we received a brighter world. Where good overcomes evil; where we are asked to respect our brothers and sisters, and help those in need.  Our wealth is not in territory, it is in the love that surrounds us.  

This photo floated on Facebook early in December, and although I couldn’t find the author, it has become the concept of this year’s Christmas meaning.  Just take a moment to analyze the scene: a woman walked her way through the snow to visit a loved one at the cemetery.  She does not have gifts, or flowers, or 12 Stravy.  She has a candle and her cane. The light shining from the candles is brighter than the lights from the large city in the background, filled with lots of people, music, laughter and other merry things. 

She is quietly and calmly sitting.  She is not in a hurry and she is not worried about how she looks.  She feels no anxiety about buying gifts or preparing a perfect party. She is not worried about how her children are dressed, or a disagreement with her husband, or another family member.  She is in the quiet moment, spending time with her loved one who has passed.  Is she lonely, or is she at peace?

Think about this photo, there is no right answer.

There are many people in this world who may be lonely this Christmas, and many others who are not lonely but truly overwhelmed with trying to fit todays expectations of the holiday.  Enjoy the time you have with your family, or give time to someone who has no family near.  Do not let stress overtake the true meaning and celebration of a peaceful Christmas.

Jesus was born to brighten our world, so lets take initiative and help him brighten it, and not just with our Christmas trees, but with heartfelt conversations, joyful carols and sincere prayers for our families and everyone who needs them. 

Що ми святкуємо на Різдво? Ми, очевидно, святкуємо народження Ісуса Христа. Маленька, невинна дитина, яка прийшла на наш світ, не в стерильному середовищі, а в печері чи стайні, де жили тварини. Його народила жінка, яка вирішила виконувати прохання Бога, знаючи про жах її сину доведеться пережити у своєму майбутньому і навіть у день його народження. Цей маленький Кололь народився у світі, в якому дорослий, заможний цар був настільки ревнивим і боявся, що забрав життя сотень немовлят, і це було дозволено. Наскільки світ сьогодні жахливийі і злий, Ісус ввійшов у нього, коли було набагато гірше. З його народженням ми не тільки отримали дар життя після смерті, але отримали світліший світ. Де добро перемагає зло; де ми маємо поважати наших братів і сестер і допомагати тим, хто потребує. Наше багатство не в території, а в любові, яка нас оточує.

Ця фотографія була у Facebook на початку грудня, і хоча я не могла знайти автора, вона стала концепцією цьогорічного Різдвяного значення. Одну хвилину проаналізуйте сцену: жінка пройшла шлях по снігу, щоб відвідати кохану людину на кладовищі. У неї немає ні подарунків, ні квітів, ні 12 Різдвяних Страв. У неї є свічка та її тростина. Світло, що сяє від свічок, яскравіше, ніж світло від міських вогнів на задньому плані місто наповнене безліччю людей, музики, сміху та інших веселих речей.

Вона тихо і спокійно сидить. Вона не поспішає і її не турбує те, як вона виглядає. Вона не відчуває тривоги з приводу покупки подарунків або приготування ідеальної вечірки. Її не хвилює питання, як одяганені її діти, чи незгода з чоловіком чи іншим членом сім’ї. Вона знаходиться в тиху хвилину, проводячи час з коханою людиною, яка минула. Вона самотня, чи вона в спокої?

Подумайте над цією фотографією правильної відповіді немає. У цьому світі є багато людей, які можливо самотні цього Різдва, і багато інших, які не самотні, але справді переповнені намаганням відповідати сьогоднішнім очікуванням свята. Насолоджуйтесь часом, який ви маєте зі своєю родиною, або приділяйте час тому, у кого немає сім’ї поруч.

Ісус народився, щоб прояснити наш світ, тому давайте допомогти йому, не лише з нашими ялинками, але цікавими розмовами, радісними колядками та щирими молитвами за наші сім’ї та кожного, хто їх потребує.

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The post Peaceful Christmas appeared first on Providence Association - Life Insurance & Retirement Savings.

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

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