It is Christmas. Dan and I went to a candle lighting service last night. The carols were the old,   familiar ones I learned  as a child.  As the candles were lighted from one person to another, the church darkened and everyone joined in  “Silent Night.” I always sing it quietly in German and think of Christmases long ago. The tiny lights of a hundred candles flickered as the choir voices  rose,  remembering the birth of the Lord Jesus in Bethlehem. I felt an abiding   stillness in myself and sensed it in those around me. It was  peace and joy. We had come for the real purpose of Christmas, to adore Him like the shepherds and angels did. He gave us the true gift, Himself.

Christmas is about Jesus. Period. We have made it into so many other things: buying gifts, decorating the house, traditions both serious and silly and even family. Christ is the magnificent incarnated gift we received from God Himself. Jesus is the gift He offers of Himself. Through Him, we get a double portion for we receive both the Gift and the Giver. It is Jesus who taught us to give the best of ourselves to others in like manner. We give gifts to others because He first gave everything to us. Such selfless giving should be for every day of the year, not just the 25^th of December.

In the spirit of giving of ourselves, we at Mountain Life Church share some thoughts about the joys, memories and insights which make Christmas 2015 special.

Friede Gabbert

From Pastor Joe Eisenbrandt:

I am grateful for everything that Christmas represents and stirs in this time of year.  I love Christmas.   My fondest childhood memories are of my family at Christmas.     My earliest are my mom, sister and I decorating, playing Christmas records (yes, vinyl records), watching Christmas movies and our whole family (and extended family) coming together on Christmas Eve.   There are so many vivid memories of Christmas, unlike any other season or event in my life.   Through all of these memories, the time with my family is the one thing that remains consistent and wonderful through them all.    Now, as the father of a six-year-old, Christmas continues to be the same time for me.   I think even more now because I get to experience the same excitement, joy, wonder and love through my son.     I am grateful for the Love of Father God demonstrated in our Savior’s Birth and still now revealed through my family.

From Kim Meyer:

“Life is full of little lessons.  I thought of three just in the half hour it took to walk my dogs when I got home from work the other day.

The first lesson was “Find Joy in the Little Things!”  Two words come to mind regarding my dogs when we start out on our walk – “wild abandon”  -They do their own face plants and rub their snouts left and right  in the new snow.  They prance with their tails high.  Makes me laugh and I realize joy is a simple thing found anywhere.  And it’s infectious!

As I walked along the river I heard a lone goose honking across the way and sensed it was flying closer.  Then I heard a sound I did not understand. As I was looking up for the source of the sound I was half afraid that I would see a space ship hovering over me.  I was dumbfounded when I laid eyes on a gaggle of silent geese flying over, in their proverbial V formation, with only one sporadic honker/leader.  Because there was only the one goose honking I was able to hear their wings flapping and it was a very sharp, whirring sound that I had never heard before.  Lesson – in a big group, quit honking and listen to the leader and you might hear the sound of wind in your wings

The final lesson:  I was tired and wondering how I would make it up the hill that I must climb to get home.  I quit worrying about it and just trudged on, putting one foot in front of the other and suddenly,  I was surprised to find myself on top of the hill and didn’t even remember the struggle of the climb.   It’s good to learn to take your eyes off the looming struggle and just focus on what is before you, casting your worries aside.”

From Natalie Dyrud:

I find myself becoming so flustered and frustrated by the EXTRA HUSTLE of the holiday season.  My everyday life is already enough of a race as a wife, mother of three girls, and owner of a high- energy dog.  It is rare that I find a moment to rest, sit still, not have a question to answer or a problem to work through, etc.   I have found myself, shall we say “discouraged” by the aforementioned fact and the length of my need-to-do list much less my want-to-do list.  However, a couple of days ago I was touched by the Spirit with the fact that I should be grateful for even the physical ability to accomplish the need-to list.  I could be physically prevented from any ability to affect my circumstances.

So today, I thank my Father for bodily strength and capability; as simple as it seems I am truly grateful for this.  I am determined to every menial task out of love for my God Praise His Name!

From Lance and Jill Miller:

“For unto us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” Isaiah 9:6

This verse is an Old Testament prophecy, written of the coming of Jesus and concentrates on His person and every name given to Him expresses His character and nature. Each name has a profound meaning and a message for our hearts at Christmas time.

The name that spoke to me strongly this year is the first, “… and the government shall be upon His shoulders.” Because He is Lord and one with the Father, the government of the world rests on His shoulders. There is nothing outside His control. This Christmastime, the One who has the government of the world on His shoulders wants to carry the government of your life on His shoulders. Everything that concerns you is His concern and He desires to bear the burden of it as you trust Him and obey Him as Lord.

PRAYER: Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for the gift of your Son. Please give me fresh revelation of who Jesus is and the wonder of Your indescribable gift. During this Christmas time I reflect on Jesus and draw closer to Him. Whatever my circumstances are, I ask for grace to trust you to fulfill Your purpose in and through my life.