Early Morning Musings: Celebrating The Season of God With Us

This morning, Saturday, I started waking up around 5 and couldn't sleep past 6, despite getting to bed after 11; ah well, I've decided to make the best use of the time and appreciate the silence of a sleeping house. It's actually been a (tired) blessing, even though I'm an 8-hours-of-sleep kind of lady. I was able to spend a few minutes with my dad this morning before he left for work, praying with him and chatting about the coming day. I love him so much and am so thankful for him. Now, I'm sitting by our beautiful Christmas tree with a cozy mug of matcha tea, a banana, a fluffy blanket, and soft Christmas music playing in the background. 

This past month has been lovely, and I've been consistently (although perhaps not consistently enough) reminded of the miracle of the Christmas season. Jesus Christ, Immanuel ("God with us") came down to earth in the form of a helpless child (born under questionable circumstances and in a stable!) for the sake of living a perfect life in a sinful world so He could be killed by and on behalf of those rebelling against Him.

"Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel (which means, God with us)." Matthew 1:23 (English Standard).

God literally came down to earth to dwell among us! "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 1:14 (English Standard). 

Because of Christmas, all who call upon His name by faith, repenting from their sins and turning to Him for forgiveness, may be saved! See, e.g. Joel 2:32, Acts 2:21, and Romans 10:13. 

This season is truly a time of great celebration for those who have been saved, a time for us to rejoice in God our Savior and be encouraged to share the hope of our salvation, which includes God with US!

But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law, although the Law and the Prophets bear witness to it—the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction: for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith. This was to show God’s righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over former sins. It was to show his righteousness at the present time, so that he might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.

Then what becomes of our boasting? It is excluded. By what kind of law? By a law of works? No, but by the law of faith. For we hold that one is justified by faith apart from works of the law.

Romans 3:21-28 (English Standard).

On a slightly different note, this last Wednesday, our family helped with the children's Christmas program at our church, Sweet Pea (17) as make-up artist and child wrangler, me as understudy and cue help, Munchette as Elizabeth, and Gubby (14) as Ceasar. We not only had a great time but were also to spend a lot of time better appreciating the story of Christ's birth! 

Merry Christmas!

Sonia

December Update

December is flying by, and it has truly been a lovely month. Here are a few pictures to document a few of the memories.

 Pollywog (21) is working at the lawfirm where Mozzarella (19) and I work during her Christmas Break from nursing school! While all three of us are in totally different positions and parts of the office, we still take time to have coffee breaks together -- Mozzarella is missing in the picture, unfortunately...

 One of the attorneys I support noted that he liked some of the Christmas decorations at my desk, so I bought him a creepy/cute santa-gnome for his desk.

 A friend and I were able to visit the reconstructed fort where I (now infrequently) volunteer for their Christmas event; we had a grand time making mini wreaths!

 Preparing Christmas gifts and cards for coworkers and bosses.

Christmas is a beautiful time of year; not only are we celebrating the birth of our Savior, but we do so with beautiful lights and decorations! May we not be distracted by these external, secular aspects of the Christmas season but remember to focus on the true Reason for Christmas.

Hold fast to Jesus!

Sonia

Thanks be to God for His Inexpressible Gift! November Blessings.

December, how have you come so quickly? They say that as you grow older time flies faster; if this is the case -- and I think it actually is -- I'm in deep trouble. If time flies when you're in your 20s, it must go at light speed by middle-age.

I've really been struggling with maintaining a constant hope and joy in Christ; He is so faithful, though, and keeps bringing me back to Himself. For example, yesterday evening and this morning, I was fighting with various emotions and thoughts: feeling depressed over the death of a possibly unbelieving relative; despairing over my repetitively sinful state; anxious over life situations, work, and busyness; frustrated at my inability to learn Russian; and with peace in general. His mercies are new every day, though, and I'm trying to - - by HIS grace and strength -- choose joy and accept peace. He is good. He is kind. He is FAITHFUL. 

Speaking of His kindness, November really was a blessed month. Not only have I been challenged to have a stronger relationship with Christ through various circumstances, but have had the opportunity to take part in several activities, including but not limited to:

• Spending time with and getting to know fellow brothers and sisters in Christ.
• Spending time in God's Word with some of those individuals.
• Enjoying several hikes and fall strolls.
• Attending a fantastic chocolate festival with family and friends (and purchasing and sampling way too much chocolate).
• Learning more Russian (although, as I alluded to earlier, I am probably one of the slowest learners out there).
• Learning to drive stick shift (sort of; I still have a ways to go, but it was a bucket list item that I can now check off!).
• Going late-season hunting on Thanksgiving with family and a friend (even though we didn't see anything until it was too dark to shoot).
• Spending time with family.
• Growing in my position at work as a legal assistant (I am slowly learning more about my attorneys' practices and am able to help with more substantive tasks!)
• Enjoying the beginnings of the Christmas season and listening to Christmas music.

As you can see, November was a blessed month. While not perfect -- and while I did not mention many of the negatives -- I am so thankful for the time spent and opportunities taken.

I've also been convicted of my lack of appreciation for the greatest gift: salvation from my sins and a relationship with Jesus Christ. I am good at "talking the talk," but when it comes down to "walking the walk" and reflecting Christ's love and sharing His Gospel of salvation, I fall so short. 

On my Bible app a while back, the "verse of the day" was a passage from 2 Corinthians, which said "Thanks be to God for his inexpressible gift!" 2 Corinthians 9:15 (English Standard). His grace is truly an inexpressible gift, and what should a believer's response be but to proclaim the truth of this gift, desiring to share it with the world? Why are we not "freaking out," so to speak, about the inexpressibleness (I am cognizant that this is not an actual word, but I like it) of His gift of SALVATION and a RELATIONSHIP with the one true GOD, the Creator of the heavens, the earth, and mankind?

"May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope." Romans 15: 13 (English Standard). I pray that I, and other believers, may be filled by God with all joy and peace so that -- by the power of the Holy Spirit! -- we may abound in hope. Being so filled by God, may our joy, peace, and hope (from God!) cause us to proclaim the glories of our Savior. Oh, for grace to trust Him more.

With the above scattered thoughts, here are several pictures from this blessed past month.

 This picture is kind of weird but it's candid and the happiness in it makes me happy. 

 We truly had a beautiful fall.

 Sisters at the chocolate festival. This year, I spent more time with the friends I came with than with these dear sisters, but the time spent with them was, as usual, incredible. So thankful for family.

 Baby Lucy continues to capture our hearts with her sweet personality.

 Beautiful sunset over the river.

 When it's 7 a.m., no one in your department is in yet, and there is horrible jazz music playing somewhere in the office...

 This picture says it all.

 Hunting this Thanksgiving -- or, I suppose, taking a break to enjoy the incredible views.

 Mini-man (12) and Gubby (14) hunting like bosses.

 Family of hunters.

 Traditional mid-night "Black Friday" adventure.

 Baby Lucy and Mozzarella (19) being adorable.

 Pollywog is working at the same firm as Mozzarella and I during her winter break from nursing school! Triple trouble, we are.

 It's beginning to look like Christmas! 

 Four years at this firm; my boss wrote a lovely note thanking me "for being me." It brought a smile to my face. So thankful to work at such a great firm.

 Auntie Sweet Pea (17) and Baby Lucy.

 A candid family shot. The quality isn't the best and the picture isn't the most flattering, but it's a snapshot of my family, and I love it.