Yesterday morning I was tracking our boys’ flights on my phone. I woke up at 5:22 a.m. and checked the status – which said, “In Air.” I didn’t have to get up until 6:45 so I went back to bed, where I entertained some strange dreams. When I woke up again, the status said, “Landed.” But that was only the flight from L.A. to Chicago. They still had to fly from Chicago to Detroit. The plane was supposed to take off at 6:50 Chicago time (one hour earlier than Detroit time) and land at 9:15 Detroit time. They actually took off at 7:08 and landed at 8:56. I’m not quite sure how they cut so much time off the flight, but it all worked out and they are safely home for a visit.

Randy and I dropped them off at home to sleep and then went on to church. While my family slept most of yesterday afternoon, I kicked back and finished the novel I was reading – Embrace the Dawn by Kathleen Morgan. I’d been craving a medieval romance and had this one on my TBR Pile. A good story – memorable characters and vivid, picturesque settings. Historical fiction is so fascinating – almost like being there.

Of course, once I finished the book, I had to start another, so I looked over my shelves of to-be-reads and found a Christmas novel written by a former critique partner, Meredith Efken – @Home for the Holidays. It’s the sequel to SAHM I Am, which I loved. So far, Meredith has got me totally drawn in and when I’m not reading, I’m wanting to get back to it. She has an amazing ability to create distinct voices for her characters and all in a story told through emails.

I spent today chatting with my guys, running to appointments with them, making mostacoilli, and then I finally managed to wrap a few gifts. I’ve never been this far behind on Christmas wrapping and such, and having the boys home adds a lot more activity, but I wouldn’t trade that activity for anything. I might be wrapping late Christmas Eve, but if that’s the case, it will just make a new, if not hectic, memory.

The focus of Christmas is never far from my thoughts though, or the feelings of gratitude for Jesus and the salvation His coming has brought to all who will believe in Him.

“The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world. He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world did not know him. He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him. But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God. And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.” John 1:9-14

May you know His love and His true light this Christmas, and see His glory, and may His grace and truth be yours.

Shalom~

Christmas is supposed to bring joy, or so the advertisers would like us to believe. If we can find just the right gift for the right person given in the perfect way…if we can get through all the parties and plans and trips to the mall…if we can keep our distance from the irritating friends or relatives…if only everything would go the way I want it to…

But expectations often go unmet this time of year, bringing more heartache than happiness, more sadness than joy. Yesterday, my husband attended a funeral for a coworker who died unexpectedly leaving a wife and two young children. Today, I learned from a friend that her daughter has to put a beloved pet to sleep. And tonight, a long-time friend told me she is certain this is her mom’s last Christmas.

Christmas doesn’t always bring the joy it’s supposed to bring.

Sometimes Christmas raises a lot of painful memories.

If we come from happy childhoods with loving families where forgiveness and laughter were part of our daily lives, Christmas isn’t going to be something we dread. But where strife and anger abide, some will meet with their families wearing a mask to hide feelings that they think are beyond healing. Some won’t show up at all.

I knew a man whose son was so estranged from him that the son would not even come to his father’s funeral despite every attempt made to convince him otherwise. I’ve known families who won’t speak to each other, parents and children at odds, the sharp tone of words flung from bitter lips, resentment taking the place of love when expectations are not met. We’ve all been there, haven’t we? Sinful hearts lead to sinful acts, and the result is never pretty. Restoration only comes with heartfelt confession and forgiveness.

But isn’t that why He came?

“This very day in the town of David, there was born for you a Deliverer (Savior) who is Messiah, the Lord.” Luke 2:11 CJB

“She will give birth to a son, and you are to name him Yeshua, (which means ‘Adonai saves,’) because he will save his people from their sins.” Matthew 1:21 CJB

Jesus didn’t come to give us a joyous Christmas. He came to give us a joyous heart. We find that joy in knowing Him, in loving Him with all we are and have, in knowing the peace that comes with sins forgiven.

This Christmas I pray that Jesus, Yeshua, the Messiah, will truly bring you glad tidings of great joy – joy for all who will love Him from the heart.

Selah~

In a sense you could say Christmas countdown started for us this past Friday. I write a column (which is due Monday and still yet to be done) for our church newspaper, and every year the editor has all of the writers to his house for a Christmas dinner celebration. Last year was our first year to attend, and this year we felt like we knew more people. We had a good time connecting and reconnecting with people who are becoming good friends. We always eat too much, but that’s to be expected. :)

I’d seen the doctor for my tendinitis and some other issues the day before, and the consensus seems to be that I need to exercise more. Writers sit a lot, and I’m no exception. (It’s hard to work on a computer standing up.) I’ve tried sitting on an exercise ball, but that just made me struggle to keep my balance. When I got my new laptop, I transferred most of my writing to it with the possible exception of emails. I need to switch sitting positions more often. But the truth is, I’ve never been a fan of heavy exercise. The reality is, if I want to live without pain and stay in shape the rest of my life, I’d better change that outlook. So Friday, I obeyed my doctor and upped the exercise. Saturday, I paid for it.

I had little desire to move yesterday (Saturday) but then ended up having to hop in the car and run some errands after all. I’m longing for a day to stay home and play catch up! But today was an all-day church affair. My mom joined us for morning service, then went with us to lunch, then back to church to see the Christmas program, where Ryan had a small part. Wonderful original play was performed by some talented people. One thing I’m enjoying about a larger church is the variety of talent and creativity among the members. The script was written and directed by one of our worship pastors, and used a number of artistic devices to pull it off. Satan and his angels fell 50 feet from heaven (attached to a wire) and a live donkey accompanied Joseph and Mary (and didn’t seem very cooperative – very realistic!)

Before the play started, I stepped into our new bookstore/coffee shop (where they have a nice poster advertising Michal and Abigail – which is awesome) to order a Mocha Mint Latte. I’d heard the Bridges Coffee Shop rivaled Starbucks, and I can testify the rumor was right. I love Starbucks Peppermint Mocha, but the Bridges Mocha Mint Latte was better by far. I’ll be stopping by again soon! And I think the proceeds of the coffee shop go to help the church’s various missions, so I have good reason to give in to my current chocolate caffeine addiction…

The boys fly home in a week, and I am far from ready. Cards to finish, baking, shopping, wrapping – haven’t even started some of this. Last minute to-do list keeps growing, but I did get a few things checked off this weekend.

Some good news though came on Thursday afternoon when my editor sent back her comments about Bathsheba. I was thrilled to know she loves the story as much as I do – and we both feel that it will be the best of the series, though we love Michal and Abigail as well. There is something about finishing the series that just brings it all together, and well…I can’t wait to share it with you all (and hope you don’t mind waiting one more year!)

Last night, Randy and I went out to dinner and a movie to see Fantastic Mr. Fox as a mini celebration and came home to a water main break on our street. Fortunately, they had it fixed by morning, so we could go to church looking our best – or at least attempting as much!

All in all, it’s been a good weekend and promises to be an even busier week. First thing I need to do is finish that column for our church newspaper. Seven days ’til my boys come home!