This year, the Lord has taught me many things: patience, perseverance, and to trust in His timing. No matter how hard each of these things have been, He has been constant and that is the only thing that is sure. I have to tell myself over and over again, that we are not going to have an easy life. I believe in the One True God, who many people refuse to believe in. My heart breaks for my students who are lost and have no hope for their future. One of my good friends gave me a ring with a Bible verse on it. Jeremiah 29:11 "For I know the plans that I have for you declares the Lord, plans to prosper you, not to harm you. Plans to give you a hope and a future." How wonderful it is to know this! Every time that I am down or frustrated, I look at the ring and am reminded that God is in control and that I shouldn't stress and worry about some things.
As I look forward to this Christmas season, I always enjoy the lights, trees, and everything "Christmasy", but I must remember what Christmas is all about. God sent His only Son so that we could have eternal life! How amazing is that! What more could I ever ask for?
Luke 2:1-20
And it came to pass in those days that a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. This census first took place while Quirinius was governing Syria. So all went to be registered, everyone to his own city.
Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, to be registered with Mary, his betrothed wife, who was with child.
So it was, that while they were there, the days were completed for her to be delivered.And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.
Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid. Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger.”
And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying
“Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!”
So it was, when the angels had gone away from them into heaven, that the shepherds said to one another, “Let us now go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has come to pass, which the Lord has made known to us.” And they came with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the Babe lying in a manger. Now when they had seen Him, they made widely known the saying which was told them concerning this Child. And all those who heard it marveled at those things which were told them by the shepherds. But Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart. Then the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told them.
