Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared among them, and the radiance of the Lord's glory surrounded them. They were terrified, but the angel reassured them. "Don't be afraid!" he said. "I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people. The Savior - yes, the Messiah, the Lord - has bee born today in Bethlehem, the city of David!
And you will recognize him by this sign: You will find a baby wrapped snugly in strips of cloth, lying in a manger."
Suddenly, the angel was joined by a vast host of others - the armies of heaven - praising God and saying,
"Glory to God in highest heaven,
and peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased."
Luke 2:9-14 (NLT)
As we approach Christmas and the New Year, I often pause to reflect over the past year. But this year I reflect with trepidation. 2012 has been a rollercoaster year for our family. We have experienced both wonderful blessings and great sorrows. The beginning of the year found us struggling with the passing of my paternal Grandmother - who died on Christmas Day of 2011. Then the loss of my Father in September 2012. We also lost our precious little nephew just a couple of weeks ago. Heartbreaking.
Yes, 2012 has been a rough year.
Yet it has also been a year of great blessings. Throughout our trials, especially with my Dad, God was so good. He opened doors on my Dad's behalf - doors that had been shut to me for several years - doors that led to one small miracle after another in Dad's last days. Miracles that were visible to even the doctors, nurses, and staff who cared for him.
God also poured out his blessings on our personal lives. Friendships were renewed and strengthened. Relationships with family, especially my Dad's sisters and their families, were restored. Relationships with our church family - who were so good to us during Dad's passing and have always been there for us in every season, every trial - were reaffirmed.
But God's blessings did not stop there. He blessed us is so many other ways. He is so GOOD!
But most importantly, He has blessed us in our faith. Yes, we have been through trials this year. We have been deeply hurt. Our emotions compromised. Our hearts left broken and wounded. Yet our faith has been refined and strengthened through it all.
Yes, 2012 has been a season of trials and tribulations. But it has also been a year in which I have seen God work wonders on our behalf. He never left us - not once - nor did he ever forsake us. He was always there, surrounding us with His love and providing us with much needed strength.
And so, after such a tumultuous year, it is time to celebrate! And that is what I am looking so forward to for Christmas this year - celebrating the life - celebrating the renewal - celebrating the HOPE we all have because of the birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ! I am so looking forward to celebrating Christ with our family and friends this Christmas!
I am thankful for all God has done this year. It is time to celebrate Him!
In His Love, Cathy
2 comments:
You are quite the Ambassador for our Jesus, my friend. Merry Christmas!
Donna
PS~It's great to see your blogging again, Cathy
Thank you, Donna! It is long overdue:) Thank you for your encouragement, love, and support shown to me and my family through every trial. We are blessed by your friendship! I love you, sweet friend!
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