I wanted to take a minute and just say "thank-you" to everyone who has read my blog over the past year. Whether is was only once or if you have kept up with me throughout the year, I really appreciate it! I love doing this and am already working on ways to improve it for next year. In January, the blog will have a new look and I also promise to have a new picture of myself as well - I am SO tired of seeing the one now (sepia is so last year) and I am sure you are too. My intention for the blog is to simply encourage you in your journey as I share what is going on in mine. My plan next week is to take some time off from writing and work on revamping it so that it has a fresh, new look for the new year! I am extremely grateful for all who read it and give such encouragement to me - and even those who give "constructive criticism" as well.
I wanted to end this post with a couple of things. One is the Christmas Story. No, not the movie about the Red Rider BB Gun - although that movie is a classic. The original Christmas story that reminds us all of why we celebrate Christmas in the first place. Afterwards, I included a video from YouTube that you may have seen before. It shows the Christmas story if it happened in today's culture with our connection with social media. I found it very creative and wanted to share it with you as well.
The Christmas Story -
1 At that time the Roman emperor, Augustus, decreed that a census should be taken throughout the Roman Empire. 2 (This was the first census taken when Quirinius was governor of Syria.) 3 All returned to their own ancestral towns to register for this census. 4 And because Joseph was a descendant of King David, he had to go to Bethlehem in Judea, David’s ancient home. He traveled there from the village of Nazareth in Galilee. 5 He took with him Mary, his fiancée, who was now obviously pregnant.
6 And while they were there, the time came for her baby to be born. 7 She gave birth to her first child, a son. She wrapped him snugly in strips of cloth and laid him in a manger, because there was no lodging available for them.
8 That night there were shepherds staying in the fields nearby, guarding their flocks of sheep. 9 Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared among them, and the radiance of the Lord’s glory surrounded them. They were terrified, 10 but the angel reassured them. “Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people. 11 The Savior—yes, the Messiah, the Lord—has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David! 12 And you will recognize him by this sign: You will find a baby wrapped snugly in strips of cloth, lying in a manger.”
13 Suddenly, the angel was joined by a vast host of others—the armies of heaven—praising God and saying,
14 “Glory to God in highest heaven,
and peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased.”
15 When the angels had returned to heaven, the shepherds said to each other, “Let’s go to Bethlehem! Let’s see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”
16 They hurried to the village and found Mary and Joseph. And there was the baby, lying in the manger. 17 After seeing him, the shepherds told everyone what had happened and what the angel had said to them about this child. 18 All who heard the shepherds’ story were astonished, 19 but Mary kept all these things in her heart and thought about them often. 20 The shepherds went back to their flocks, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen. It was just as the angel had told them.
A Social Network Christmas -
I hope that all of you have a very Merry Christmas and that the New Year brings joy, hope, and a fresh start to a deeper, more fulfilled life! See you in January!!
Today, I am grateful for: 1. Christmas - the chance to be with family and friends 2. The gift of God's Son to give us hope 3. All of life's lessons over the past year 4. Excitement of a new year and a fresh start 5. Everyone who has read this blog over the past year
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