It’s Black Friday, and Day 1 of our preparation for Christmas season 2024. Yes, already, Christmas is among us.
I pray that we use today to prepare our hearts, homes, and minds for the birth of our Savior. In doing this, we will focus more on the four virtues he gave to us, rather than the secular meaning of this upcoming holiday. Truly preparing ourselves does not require spending money we do not have. We will not feel pressured to give gifts we cannot afford. True, and meaningful preparation, will consist of falling deeper in love with God and ourselves, so that we can truly love, and desire to serve others. As we move forward, it is my prayer, that we all have Hope, Peace, Joy, and Love this Christmas season.
With life being challenging, it is difficult for many of us to see past our current situations. There has been job loss, loss of family and friends, homelessness, and many have been barely able to make it. Some of us can’t see past today, and have no idea how we will make it through the holidays. Our Savior brings us the gift of Hope. We must use this gift, to remind us, that Christ wants us to expect, that our current situation will improve. Our future, if we follow Him, will be much better than our present state. When we truly have Hope, we can see a light in our darkness. HOPE keeps us going.
For some, financial problems aren’t an issue. Many of us may be secure in our future, and have all that we need to comfortably sustain ourselves. We may have all that we could ever hope for, yet our spirt it unsettled. Maybe our relationships are troubled. Maybe we are awating a health diagnosis, or grieving a loss. Our Lord and Savior gives us the gift of PEACE. When we rest in Him…allow Him to be the ruler over our lives, our hearts will be at PEACE, and we will welcome all that the Christmas season brings.
As I view all that is going on in the world; hate, war, infighting, jealousy, etc., like many, I become sad. I know that this is not what God wants for us, His people. If this were His choice, we would not have been given the virtue of JOY. What we must realize, it that the sadness we feel for what is taking place, makes us human, but happiness comes from within. The fact that we are given unlimited opportunities to begin anew, and truly live our lives the way God intended, is reason to have joy amongst the sad times. True joy, is something that the world cannot take from us. It is personal, and it lies within. Joy is what we must carry with us, especially during this holiday season. We must find our joy, and spread it one to another; joy is what makes the Christmas season bright.
Finally, we must remember that nothing in our lives will be successful without LOVE. There are far too many people, who lack love. Unfortunately, many haven’t received it, therefore, they don’t know how to give it. Love is an action word. Jesus was brought to us because he truly loves us. The Christmas season is centered around God’s love for us. He sent us a Savior, who died to save us from sin. This ultimate sacrifice, was His action to prove His love for us. We in turn, must show love to everyone we meet. Once we begin to truly open our hearts to love others, celebrating Christmas becomes such a beautiful experience.
As we clean up our homes from the excitement of Thanksgiving, we shouldn’t focus on tomorrow. We shouldn’t be worrying about the work week to come. We should forget…just for a moment, about the hustle and bustle of Black Friday. Today, we must take time to prepare for the birth of our Savior. Today, let’s pray. Let’s begin to let go of our fears and insecurities. Let’s seek counseling for our grief. Today, let’s make amends with those we’ve hurt, and forgive those who have hurt us. Today, let’s not focus on Black Friday sales. Let’s commit to preparing our hearts, minds, and homes for the magic of Christmas. Today, let us begin to have HOPE for a better tomorrow. I challenge us to find PEACE in midst of life’s raging storms, that are all around us. Beginning right now, let’s see the beauty in all that is among us. I implore us, to learn to look inside of ourselves for happiness, and spread JOY all over the world. Even in doing all of these things, nothing will bring about the true meaning of Christmas, without us showing LOVE today. This love we have, must be for God, ourselves, and others.
What will you do today, to actively prepare your mind, heart, spirit and your surroundings, for Christmas…the birth of our Savior? This is Day 1. Let us vow to change our outlook, and have a hopeful, peaceful, joyful, and loving Christmas season. Today, begin by decorating your space.
I love each of you, and wish you HAPPY HOLIDAYS.
GOD LOVES YOU AND SO DO I!
Dani💋❤️
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