Our Christmases have never been large. We've always given the girls 3 gifts from Santa which represented the 3 Wise Men gifts to Jesus. And three gifts from us. When the girls were little they would make lists and plan for those three gifts starting in August! Once teenage and college years hit it became easy: clothes.
When my two Doctors explained to us the "rare" side effects of the renal kidney biopsy I am having in the morning I was, to be perfectly honest, alarmed. The doctor's explained that due to my history they would be keeping me in the heart center for 24-36 hours. I will be flat on my back and unable to move during this time. Historically, with me at least, if something only has a 1% side effect I will get it. I don't know whether it's because it's auto-immune driven or not. Someone once told me it was in my head. They then had the divine privilege of watching my throat close after being administered the flu shot. Good times.
My husband is always prepared. It's the Eagle Scout in him. Jesus was prepared. For once, I wanted to be prepared! To actually enjoy Jesus and His season. We will, most probably, be preparing a funeral for my father this season. I wanted to have all of my ducks in a row. I just want to sit back, starting Thanksgiving Day, and enjoy. Enjoy my nephew, my sister-in-law, Daddy (if he's still with us), my in-laws, great aunt Nancy, all of our cousins, our children and my husband. I want to serve my neighbors. Deliver baked goods to everyone in the three county radius who has blessed me this past year with their medical expertise and prayers. I want to watch old Christmas movies with my girls. I want to read Luke every night by the fire.
I want to be prepared for the coming birth of Christ the King! While the rest of the world is running crazy in retail stores? I want to look up every single night and say "Thank you, Lord". "Thank you for being born. Thank you for coming to make the world right. Thank you for being born to save me from myself. Thank you for making my life complete. Let's celebrate you, Jesus! No words can express my gratitude. I adore you".
There will come a time, soon, when we will be unable to publicly celebrate Jesus. Don't believe me? Well, we've taken Christmas and made it "holiday". Our children can no longer celebrate Christmas in school. No worries, though, ramadan is widely recognized as being okay. Call me crazy, won't be the first time, but the Lord has pressed on my heart this is the last Christmas. Does that mean for me? Or for our country? I do not know that. I do know that when the Holy Spirit puts something on my heart I listen.
I'm excited! I can not wait to eat Thanksgiving food, watch football, sit in a deer stand with my husband, cook, visit with friends, and celebrate HIS MAJESTY. After all, that is really what it's all about: Him. Jesus. Lord of Lord. King of Kings. The Coming Messiah. The Bread Of Life. The Lord of my life.
Come Lord, Jesus, Come! For the first time in my life, I am ready.
"The day of the Lord will come like a thief"-2 Peter 3:10
