How wonderful to be back to my blog and to be able to share my heart thoughts with all of you. Personal illness has kept me away for a while. There were days when just breathing was difficult and I could only walk short distances without becoming extremely fatigued. Thankfully, God has been gracious and allowed me to recover my strength and my health. I am so very grateful for all of your prayers and kind thoughts during this time. I am eager to get 'round to all of you and catch up on your holiday festivities.
Oh, how I love this time of year. I love the preparations of baking, the wrapping of gifts, the songs of the season, and the anticipation of family gatherings. I love watching the changes in my home as the decorations go up and each room becomes a magical place. Old traditions and new celebrations merge into rich memories to be savored long after the season is ended. It is my most favorite time of the year.
In getting in the spirit of the season, I have a collection of Christmas music by various artists I enjoy. Last year, I purchased a CD by Josh Groban and it has become my most favorite of all. His beautiful voice lends itself so well to the songs of the season. The last song on the CD is "O, Come All Ye Faithful". It is the most glorious rendition of this song I have ever heard.
Though I have sung this song and relished its words since I was a child, this year it has taken on a special meaning for me. During the time that I was so very ill, I came to lean on the Lord for comfort and peace. I learned to not just love Him, I learned to adore Him. His presence became my escape and His Word became my resting place. When I was so weak I could hardly utter a prayer, I could feel Him near. What joy that was to me!!!
When I was a little girl, I used to wonder what it would have been like to be among those who came to worship the baby in the manger. I would imagine myself at the side of Mary as she held Him close and I would even imagine myself holding the Baby Jesus and looking into his infant face. Now, as an adult, I still feel that same sense of adoration when I think of Jesus' birth, how He was laid in a manger filled with hay, wrapped in swaddling cloth, his arrival announced by an angelic choir, and shepherds hurrying through the dark of night to see Him for themselves.
I do so love the beauty of Christmas. Yet, as the ornaments go on the tree, as I listen to the songs of the season, and as I thrill to the gathering of family and friends, my adoration is reserved for the baby in the manger. There is no other I love so dearly, no presence so treasured as His. I will come to Him, I will adore Him, and I will celebrate his coming. He alone is worthy---Christ the Lord.
In Grace,
Marie
