When I reflected on writing my blog for the Christmas Season, I was brought back to when I was a child and that joyous anticipation of Christmas day. I remembered writing a letter to Santa, which included a list of the gifts I was asking for, and I had total confidence they would be there under the tree on Christmas morning. One of them was an Easy-Bake Oven and a Betsy Wetsy doll, which was really pretty weird—lol. However, my big ask was for a bike.
I will always remember how my father was so excited to see my face when the bike was under the tree. He woke me at 3:00 in the morning—very much the way our Heavenly Father rejoices over us as we open the gifts He has given us.
I will remember when everything changed in my life. As a child, I was taught that Christmas was a day to celebrate Jesus’s birth. However, it wasn’t until I was an adult that I realized Jesus was the greatest gift of all.
I remember that day like yesterday when I opened up the gift of salvation. Jesus is the most perfect gift, giving us the gift of salvation. It was truly a glorious moment as I asked for forgiveness of my sins and received Jesus as my Lord and Savior. At that moment, everything changed, and Christmas took on a whole new meaning for me. Today, instead of writing a letter to Santa, I want to write a letter to my Heavenly Father.
Dear God,
Heavenly Father, we thank You for the gift of salvation. Thank You for sending Jesus to atone for our sins. We will be forever grateful. Help us on Christmas and every day to focus on You, to always remember the gift of Christ, for He is the most treasured gift all year through. Fill us up with joy. May the joy of the Lord be our strength, and may the peace of God saturate our souls. Direct our hearts and minds toward You.
Thank You for Your reminder that in seasons of celebration and brokenness, You are always with us. Thank You for Your daily presence in our lives, that You are ever so close to us and that You hear every prayer. Thank You that You are especially close to the brokenhearted and that Your love heals us and fills us with gratitude. Thank You that You empower us to be effective witnesses here on earth. We choose to press into You today and every day.
Love,
Dorothy