My Christmas Light

From trees, to houses, to metal sculptures, they all can be seen covered in lights this time of year. While some are a little tacky, the overall effect is quite breathtaking. Millions, probably billions of tiny little bulbs are lit all over the world this Christmas season. Little lights twinkling, that bring smiles and joy to so many. They make the darkness seem less scary. For this season they add to the magic and wonder of it all.

Two weeks ago I talked about Christmas lights and Jesus being the light of the world. I talked about how his light was the one that leads us through darkness. Today I had a different thought when looking at all the twinkling lights.

Yes, I thought about Jesus being the light of the world, but also how we are called to be light for others.

***

“You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.

Matthew 5:14 - 16

***

I started to think about how each believer is like a one of those twinkling lights I love so much. I thought about how each one of us has the power to share beautiful light or darkness with the world. I started to think about how my light was shining. Is it out for others to see? Is it bright? Dim? Has it burnt out?

How’s your light doing?

As you drive by the beautiful lights of the season may you be reminded of Jesus, the true light of the world, but also how we are called to be light to others. Imagine how beautiful it would look if all believers were shining brightly for him, pointing others toward Jesus.

Today, I’ll leave you with another song I love by Third Day. I’ll be praying that this week is filled with joy, love, and a whole lot of light.

To Everything There Is A Season…

Kiley Ann

Wisdom from Wisemen

I figured I would round out this week of looking at the Christmas story by talking about the wisemen. The wisemen appear in almost every nativity you see, there are always three of them, and they are always at the manger with the shepherds and angels. To be honest the first time someone explained to me how the wisemen weren’t there and that there weren’t just three of them, I thought surely they must be wrong.

I’ve heard the story my entire life and I was in my late twenties when I was being told that. I naturally investigated myself and was shocked to see that they were correct. I still don’t understand why the wisemen needed to be lumped into the nativity scene, why we couldn’t have just left them out and talked about them after Christmas, but that’s not the focus of today messages. Let’s take a look at their scripture.

***

After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.”

When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him. When he had called together all the people’s chief priests and teachers of the law, he asked them where the Messiah was to be born. “In Bethlehem in Judea,” they replied, “for this is what the prophet has written:

“‘But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah,
    are by no means least among the rulers of Judah;
for out of you will come a ruler
    who will shepherd my people Israel.’”

Then Herod called the Magi secretly and found out from them the exact time the star had appeared. He sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and search carefully for the child. As soon as you find him, report to me, so that I too may go and worship him.”

After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen when it rose went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was.  When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. in coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. And having been warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their country by another route.

Matthew 2: 1 - 12

***

While I have banished the wisemen from being inside the stable, (see picture above) I do feel like their story has a lot of wisdom to offer. I kinda love that when they show up, they show up at the palace. I like to imagine how King Herod tried to mask his alarm upon hearing why they were there.

I think it’s quite telling that the wisemen didn’t go to a little no nothing town to find the King of the Jews, but to the palace. I think that lets us know they expected him be like all the other kings before him.

When I think about the wisemen I think their actions to come and worship someone they have never met shows us how great God is. How much he deserves to be worshiped and also how important it is to check our assumptions about who we think he is. They expected to find him in a palace, we expect a lot from Jesus too. We have no reason to believe that the wisemen were Jewish believers, yet they sought Jesus out. They traveled a great distance to worship him, to bring him gifts.

Friends we know who Jesus is. We know who he grew up to be and the sacrifice he made for us. We know that he loves and forgives us more than we can understand. And yet …

When was the last time we sought him out like the wisemen?

When was the last time we offered sincere gifts to our King?

They say, Wisemen still seek him.

May your heart be filled with a desire to seek him and to follow his leading, today and always.

To Everything There Is A Season…

Kiley Ann

Christmas Visitors

Shepherds. Shepherds get to hear about and be the first people, aside from Jesus’ earthly parents, to meet the Savior of the world. Not kings, not powerful leaders, not high priests, but shepherds. They were humble, lowly people, who would not have been highly regarded by people in power, yet God chose to let them know first.

***

When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”

So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.

Luke 2: 15 - 20

***

I’m sure over the years I’ve heard pastors teach about the shepherds. I’m certain that I’ve heard the interpretation that God chose to appear to them first because they were ordinary people, lowly people. That by appearing to them first it was a way to show how Jesus was for everyone, and not your typical king. I’ve heard it taught that he chose them because they would be obedient messangers to spread the word of Jesus’ arrival. However, when I was reading over this section of scripture a different thought came to mind.

If you knew me personally, you’d know I’m a big reader. I’ve almost always got a book that I’m currently in the middle of and I’m earner to offer book recommendations to people in need. I give you that as context for how my brain connected what I’m about to share. I have no biblical commentary to back it up, just how my reader brain thought today.

As I was siting there thinking over this scripture and how the shepherds might have felt, the verse below came to mind.

"I am the good shepherd; the good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep.”

John 10:11

And I thought; “What if the angels telling the Shepherds first about Jesus’ birth was a subtle nod/foreshadowing to when Jesus called himself the good shepherd!?!” I mean I had never thought about that before, or connected the two in any way. Today the connection I saw between the two filled me with all kinds of questions and a little wonder too.

I’ve got that list of questions tucked away for now (I’ve got some research to do). So, let’s focus on the big important picture - Jesus really is our good shepherd and he cares for us more than we can grasp. He loves us deeply and he longs for us to be in his fold.

Friends as we head into the weekend may we go hurriedly toward Jesus, just as the shepherds did.

And may we also choose to spread the word about Jesus with all we encounter.

To Everything There Is A Season…

Kiley Ann

A Heavenly Encounter...

I know this may sound silly, but I forgot just how often angels show up in the story of Jesus’ birth. Mary and Joseph each got their own visit, now a group of shepherds are going to get their turn and not just from one angel, but a whole multitude!

***

And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”

Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,

“Glory to God in the highest heaven,

and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”

Luke 2: 8- 14

***

Tomorrow we’re going to take a look at the shepherds, today I want to talk about the angels. I was being serious before when I said I didn’t realize how often they show up in this section of scripture. They are very present and everyone seems to have the same reaction - awe and fear.

I think one of the things I find the most interesting is that the scripture does not convey to us that they find it odd/unheard of for angels to appear. I mean sure, they are shocked that the angel appeared to them, but not of the existence of angels. Maybe I’ve been jaded by too many movies or plays. I think I had classified angels in my head as imaginary creatures, right alongside unicorns and Nessie, if I’m being honest.

I know we often hear the scripture about entertaining angels unaware, but in those cases the angels would look like you and me, not distinguishable enough for us to know that they were angels. Were here, no matter their appearance, everyone is clear they are seeing an angel.

I think today’s scripture really helped me see how I have let the wonder of it all slip away. How I’ve let the world influence my view of unworldly things.

How would you react if someone told you they got a visit from an angel?

How would you react if you received a visit?

Just a little something to think about.

To Everything There Is A Season…

Kiley Ann

Christmas Travels

Today we take a look at the first part of Luke 2. I think you’ll find it quite familiar, as it is usually the account read on Christmas Eve. Let’s see if we can find some wonder.

***

In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world.  (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.)  And everyone went to their own town to register. 

So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room available for them.

Luke 2: 1- 7

***

When I read those verses I am instantly taken back to Sunday School Christmas programs, anyone else? I can so clearly picture my friends dressed as Mary and Joseph, holding a babydoll (who was a questionable standin for Jesus), and that innkeeper who wouldn’t give them a room. I can remember what felt like hours practicing our lines to get it just right and performing for our parents. Oh, the memories.

When I look at those verse now, two things stand out. The first being how everything in the first five verse had to happen at exactly the right time for Jesus to born in Betlehem like the old testament said would happen. A certain emperor, the need for a census, the right earthy father to require a trip to Bethlehem, a too crowded little town, and a spare manger. All the little and big details happening at exactly the right moment is clearly only something God could orchestrate.

Second, being Mary and Joseph. Once again scripture doesn’t tell us how Mary or Joseph reacted to having to have a baby where the animals were kept, especially knowing that baby was the Son of God. I’m tempted to think they might not have been thrilled with the arrangements, but based on what we learned about them earlier in scripture I have a feeling they trusted that God knew exactly what he was doing.

“She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger…” What must have they felt in that moment? What must it have been like to be the first to lay eyes on the Savior of the world?

What will it be like when we lay eyes on Jesus?

To Everything There Is A Season…

Kiley Ann

In A Dream..

Yesterday we looked at Mary’s reaction to the news. The amazing faith she displayed to accept and understand what God was calling her to do, gave me pause to think over my reactions to God’s leading. Today we a take a look at Joseph’s reaction to the news. Now, if this was a modern movie we would expect a lot of turmoil - yelling, fighting, bashing the other on social media. However, Joseph’s response isn’t any of those things. Take a look.

***

This is how the birth of Jesus the Messiah came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be pregnant through the Holy Spirit. Because Joseph her husband was faithful to the law, and yet did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly.

But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.”

All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel”(which means “God with us”).

When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife. But he did not consummate their marriage until she gave birth to a son. And he gave him the name Jesus.

Matthew 1: 18 - 25

***

Joseph doesn’t get much page time in the New Testament. However, we do get a little glimpse of the type of person he is in verse 19. We learn he is a faithful jewish man, one who doesn’t merely listen to the law but follows it. We also can infer that he deeply loved Mary. The law would call for Mary to be stoned, but Joseph didn’t want that for her. He was going to go about a quiet divorce, one that would hopefully spare Mary her life.

I cannot imagine the range of emotions Joseph must have felt upon finding out Mary was pregnant. I know at times we find the story of the virgin birth hard to believe, but imagine being Joseph. Imagine trying to understand Mary when she was explaining everything. I don’t think it’s hard to believe that Joseph struggled with this foreign idea. The hurt, the angry, the disappoint of watching all you thought your life was going to be disappear before your eyes.

Scripture doesn’t tell us how long after finding out Mary was pregnant that he decided to divorce her, but we do know once he had decided that he got a visit from an angel in his dreams. That angel spoke to all of Joseph’s concerns, his doubts. And just like Mary, Joseph was obedient to God’s plan.

I’m not sure what my thoughts were about Mary and Joseph before this reread. I think I may have simply thought of them as characters in a story. Characters that I forgot showed so much faith.

Their faith, their trust, their obedience - I can and yet cannot wrap my mind around it. I’m going to have to sit with this for bit. I’ll get back to you when I have a fully formed thought. Until then, I’ll just be amazed…

To Everything There Is A Season…

Kiley Ann

Christmas Question

When I thought about taking a fresh look at the Christmas story I wanted to look at more than Luke chapter two. The verses we always hear on Christmas Eve. I wanted to see how Mary and Joseph found out they were going to be the parents of the Son of God. So that’s where we start today as we try to get our wonder back and friends as you read the scripture below, it’s chalked full of wonder, promise.

***

In the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin’s name was Mary.  The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.”

 Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God.  You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus.  He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David,  and he will reign over Jacob’s descendants forever; his kingdom will never end.”

 “How will this be,” Mary asked the angel, “since I am a virgin?”

 The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God.  Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be unable to conceive is in her sixth month.  For no word from God will ever fail.”

“I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May your word to me be fulfilled.” Then the angel left her.

Luke 1: 26 - 38

***

I’m hoping that we all can agree that whether the angel appeared as describe in scripture or as depicted in Renaissance paintings, it would be an unsettling encounter. I mean imagine, you’re just going about your normal everyday actives and then BAM! - there’s and angel talking to you.

And the conversation isn’t just a simple one either, but one explaining how you are going to give birth to God’s son! I mean come on!!!

We get to know very little about Mary’s reaction to all of this. We know she must have appeared scared since Gaberial told her to “Fear Not”, but as for what she was feeling as Gaberial was telling her what was to happened we have no idea.

I don’t know about you, but if it were me I would have so many questions about all of this. I mean Mary asked a good starter question. You always want to the logistics - but what about everything else. Some great follow up questions might have been: “How do I tell Joseph or my parents?”, “What do I do about the townspeople judgement?”, “How do you raise the Son of God?”, “Why me?”.

But Mary doesn’t ask any of those things. She listens to Gaberial explaining how it is going to happen and then says, so seemly simply, “I am the Lord’s servant. May your words to me be fulfilled.”

Wow!

Mary’s faith must have been so strong. Strong enough not to worry about all the trials she would face with raising God’s son. Strong enough to care more about being a servant to God than to herself. Mary’s response gives us all something to think about. It certainly makes we think about my responses to God’s requests in my life. I hope one day I might emulate Mary’s faith. That when God asks me to do something for him I would respond the way Mary did, “I am the Lor'd’s servant. May your words to me be fulfilled.”

In twelve verses Mary’s life was forever changed. And God was able to use her obedience to change ours. She had no idea the lasting impact her obedience would have and in all honesty neither do we. We don’t know how our obedience to God’s plan will impact the future, but I suppose that’s were faith comes in and a wee bit wonder.

To Everything There Is A Season…

Kiley Ann

I Want To See Christmas Like A ...

Being a grownup makes everything look a certain way. As we get older we often loose the prespective we had of the magic of the season. The one we had when we were kids. We see inconveniences when snow storms happen instead of the magic of snowball fights and sledding. We see the dollar sign on gifts more than the enjoyment of giving or receiving. We forget …

The same goes for learning about the very first Christmas that happened so long ago. The story that we heard growing up held so much wonder the first time it was told to us - angels, shepherds, donkeys, and a baby in a manger! It was one of the most seemly fantastic stories we’d ever heard. Do you remember the questions you asked as a kid? The ones kids still ask today: “How did God put the baby in Mary’s belly?” , “Why did he have to be born with the smelly animals?” , “What do angels look like?” , ‘What about those wisemen - What’s frankincense? Myrrh?” …. The story was so amazing, we had so many questions - and then the years happened. We heard the same story, over and over, and somehow we forgot the wonder of it all.

“I wanta feel Christmas, how it used to be. With all of it’s wonder falling on me. The season has felt so empty, oh, for quite a while. But I wanta feel Christmas like a child.”

- Third Day Christmas Like A Child

I don’t know if you have children, work with children, or only see them when you’re running errands, no matter which one, take a look at their faces this season. Watch how they slow down to look at a tree, or lights, or a giant blow up snowman. Watch their eyes, their smile, and try to see Christmas through their eyes. Try to see Christmas like a child.

This week I want to take a look at the story we all have hear so many times, but I want to look at it again, as a child hearing it for the first time. I want to see what wonder, what blessings, what new understanding will be revealed when I do. Let’s try to see Christmas like a child.

To Everything There Is A Season…

Kiley Ann

Christmas Candy

One of my fondest Christmas memories growing up was making Christmas candy with my mom. Chocolate covered peanut and raisin clusters. Chocolate covered pretzel rods and Oreos - tiny, little holly mint leaves. There was so much chocolate. It would take us hours over the course of the month to make all the chocolate for Christmas and to give away as gifts.

Sometimes we would listen to Christmas music or watch a movie to pass the hours. But often we would just chat as we made the candy. We would chat about family, friends, and all the little life things. Looking back it was one of the best things of the season.

It was always a big choice to decide to make the candy - it was no small undertaking, it was on top of all the cookies my sister, mom and I would make. And eventually a Christmas came that I didn’t make the candy. I don’t know if the last time I made the candy was the first Christmas after my mom died, but I feel like it was. Mostly because I wanted that Christmas to feel like she was still with us, and I worked hard to try to achieve that. But I don’t think I’ve made it since, a good seven years.

That is, until two Sundays ago. I was on my way home after church and thought - I think I’d like to make Christmas candy this year. So I got the ingredients and proceeded to spend the afternoon making some of the candy in my childhood home.

Ofcourse it wasn’t the same without my mom, but there were some sweet memories that flashed though my mind while making them. Memories that I has forgotten about and to remember them was a true blessing. A blessing I wasn’t expecting, but am so very grateful for.

I’m going to encourage you to think back over your Christmases and see if there is something that you haven’t done in a long time. Try to do it this year, see what sweet memories might play through your mind. And if you happen to be blessed enough to remember some you’ve forgotten about, make sure to thank the one who blessed you with that extra special Christmas gift. He really does love us so much.

To Everything There Is A Season…

Kiley Ann

Just Rest...

We are six days into December and I’m already so very tired. My heart is full with all the joy I’ve gotten to witness this week. All the smiles, the laughs, the generosity - have been a true delight. While my heart may be full, this girl is real tired.

That leaves me with a choice to make. I could sit here for a extended period of time and push out a longer blog. I can hear myself starting to say it must be this perfect thing that I can offer to God. There were a lot of “I’s” in that sentence and that’s a good indication I’m about to miss the mark. So instead of giving into that self-centered desire, I’m going to choose option number two.

I’m going to close up my laptop, spend some more time with Jesus and go to bed. I’m going to rest so that tomorrow I can be his hands and feet. So that tomorrow I’m ready to serve.

Friends don’t be afraid to step back from the busy world when you need to and just rest in His arms. It’s one of the best places in the world.

To Everything There Is A Season…

Kiley Ann

Christmas Light

There is something so peaceful about plugging in a Christmas tree. I look forward to the time of year when it is acceptable to put up my tree. I’ll admit I was maybe a little too early this year with it being up and plugged in on November 1st. I was just so ready for that cozy feeling.

The feeling that happens when you come home from work and it’s already dark outside. You could easily let that make you miserable, or at least feel that way when it’s dark before 5 p.m.. But instead you plug in that tree, hunker down under a blanket, and all seems right in the world.

I think I would keep my tree up year round if it were possible, but I also feel like it might not produce the same effect in the middle of summer. Balmy weather and Christmas tree don’t seem to go together, but I digress.

As I sit cozied up on the couch looking at my tree - feeling that peace wash over me, I turned my eyes once again toward Jesus. And I just spent some time staring at the lights and thinking about him.

“Then Jesus again spoke to them, saying, “I am the Light of the world, he who follows Me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the Light of life.””

John 8:12

After reading this verse and looking at my tree I started thinking about how the two related. Comparing how I viewed the Christmas tree and its effects on me, to Jesus being the Light of life.

As I said above, I really enjoy my Christmas lights. I struggle with having so little sunlight in the winter and it can make a hard day even worse. But when I plug in that tree, its as if I’m some how able to feel hopeful in the midst of all the darkness.

And if a some little twinkling lights can have that effect on me, imagine what my life might look like if I remembered in the darkness that Jesus is the light of the world. How much brighter would my life be if I looked for his light to find peace. If I looked to his light to find hope.

As I continue to look at my Christmas tree with all it’s lights, I’m hoping that now it will remind that there is a far greater light in this world - one that will bring me true peace.

To Everything There Is A Season…

Kiley Ann

Waiting For ...

I found myself spending time in a waiting room today. Quite a long time in the waiting room actually. While I was sitting there I started to think of all the things we tend to do while waiting and also the things we wait for.

As I looked around the room people were scrolling on their phones, some were reading outdated magazines and even one gentleman was nodding off in the corner. I was sitting there people watching and pondering if I should go out to the car to get a book. Those are just a sampling of things people do while waiting. And then there are the things we wait for.

We wait to hear test results at doctor appointments, the phone to ring with a job offer, a text to come through inviting you out for the night with friends. We wait to see if the dreams we have will come true or if we’ll get that gift we have been wanting. We wait and we wait and we wait.

When the old testament closes there is 400 hundred years of silence. 400 years that people were waiting to hear from God, waiting for him to send his son. I’m sure that there were some people that were doing the equivalent of scrolling through their feed to pass the time, but their were others that were eagerly anticipating, what we know to be the birth of Jesus. Those were the ones that kept their eyes focused on God even though he was silent.

This advent season we prepare our hearts as we get ready to celebrate the birth of Jesus. The very one that the people were waiting for so long ago.

But now friends, the bible tells us that Jesus is coming again and soon. That when He returns this time it will be in a spectualar fashion compared to the lowly manger birth. When Jesus returns everything changes, the old passes away and the new begins.

I can't say that I’ve been living my life with anticipation of Jesus returning. I can’t say that my eyes have been focused on the heavens, nor my ear turned to hear God’s message.

Sitting in that waiting room today I started to take a hard look at what I’m doing in this waiting time before Christ’s return. I want to be doing more than scrolling - I want to living my life as a faithful servant. I want to be eargerly looking forward to Jesus’ return.

Let’s turn our eyes towards Jesus and choose to be his hands and feet while we’re waiting. Waiting not just for Christmas morning, but for his return. He’ll be here before we know it.

To Everything There Is A Season…

Kiley Ann

Christmas Perfection

Do you ever find yourself in the middle of a situation and think; “Stop talking! Stop talking! Stop letting those words come out of my mouth!”?

No? Just me?

Well, today I had one of those moments. My brutal honest opinion was not needed in the situation. It was a situation that was suppose to be fun and enjoyable, but I literally had to stop myself, from my prefectionist ways, before I ruined it. Things didn’t need to be a certain way for them to be good or enjoyable. However, I was so focused on the vision in my head that I wasn’t listening to the words pouring out of my mouth or the impact they were having on others.

I mean we were decorating - as a surprise - just for fun! We were doing it to share some of that Christmas love I was talking about yesterday and what was I doing - starting to nitpick at the details. When I realized what I was doing I finally stopped myself, but I felt so bad. This should have been a time of encouragement for us together not a stressor.

While I would like to think that I didn’t damper our time too much and that I was able to turn it around, I’m not totally sure. You know, once the words are out of your mouth you never can take them back.

“You must all be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry”

James 1:19b

That verse popped into my mind as I was driving home and wow, talk about conviction. While there wasn’t any anger involved today, I certainly wasn’t quick to listen or slow to speak. When I’m comfortable with people I don’t filter myself and while that can be a good at times, today it wasn’t. I didn’t take their thoughts and feelings into account nearly enough.

So, as we get deeper into the season and more situations like that start to pop up, consider this your friendly reminder to think before you speak. You don’t always have to have an opinion, or a response to everything being discussed. It’s a good choice to simply listen. Remember everyone has feelings - including those closest to you. Don’t lose sight of how your words have an impact on them. Build people up, don’t tear them down.

And when you are doing the “things” of the season don’t get caught up in making everything perfect. After all those “things” are just bonus - Jesus is the real deal.

Tomorrow I will try again.

To Everything There Is A Season…

Kiley Ann

Give It Away....

“Give this Christmas away. If there’s love in your heart, don’t let it stay there. Give this Christmas away. And your life will be changed by the gift you receive when you give this Christmas away.”

~ Matthew West & Amy Grant Give This Christmas Away

Music is one of the clearest ways I hear God speaking to me. Often times when I stop and listen to the lyrics in a song they evoke strong emotions. I know that that is what music is intended to do, but sometimes it speaks so much truth that it catches me off guard. It makes me recenter and refocus what I’ve been thinking or doing.

In keeping with the desire for this Christmas to be focused on the who of Christmas and not the things of Christmas, I was reminded of this song. The concept of focusing not on your own needs and desires, but on others.

Christmas isn’t an easy time for everyone. Some find it to be the hardest season of all for a variety of different reasons; money, schedules, family gatherings, missing loved ones… the hope of what you long for but don’t yet have.

I’m pretty blessed in this life of mine. I have a job I love, a place to lay my head, family and friends. But I’d be lying if I didn’t say that my heart longs for someone to love at Christmas. I have two options on how to view that longing. I can wallow in self-pity. Or I can give the love that I have been storing up in my heart for that man away.

A little piece for my family, another to my coworkers. A chunk to the kids, some to the stranger behind me in the drive through, and even a little to you. Little pieces, little acts done for others to share that love I’ve been storing in my heart.

Take a moment and go listen to the song. See what God is saying to you.

I think the point the song is trying to make is that by giving that love away, we don’t have any less than we started with. In fact we have more. And by giving the love we had stored away more love is out in the world. More love is out there making a difference for the kingdom and isn’t that what Christmas is suppose to be about.

So dear friends….

“ What if December looked different this year? What if we all just - give this Christmas away.”

To Everything There Is A Season…

Kiley Ann

Christmas Is...

It’s that time of year where we all go digging through the attic or storage space to pull down the Christmas boxes. When we open those boxes we aren’t simply getting out decorations - no, we are opening a box that leads to Christmases of the past. Know what I mean?

You pull out that ornament you got when you played baseball or the ceramic christmas tree that used to be in grandma’s window and bam! Those objects take you back. Sometimes they take you to happy memories and sometimes to sad ones, but either way you are transported. Do you have a decoration that means more to you than others? What is it? Why is it so special?

I have one particular decoration that has to be out for it to be Christmas. It’s the picture frame you see above. Until that is hanging on the wall it just isn’t Christmas time.

“Christmas is goodwill and compassion, firelight and candlelight, a family time, a time for worship. It’s the glow on a child’s face. BUT MOST of ALL it is a story of love which began centuries ago and spread to all the world.”

My mother made that the year I was born. There hasn’t been a year of my life that that picture frame hasn’t been present on Christmas morning. I’ve always loved it. It draws me in year after year. The message is so simple, but I often lose sight of it as season gets going. I’m guilty, like many, of getting caught up in the bustle of the season - the shopping, the baking, the decorating. None of those things are bad, yet none hold the true meaning of the season. This year I want it to be different.

As this season starts I want to keep that message in mind. I want to focus on goodwill and compassion. I want to choose to worship in the hard situations. I want to appreciate the glow and excitement I see on the kids faces. I want to remember WHO the season is about, far more that what the season holds.

Will you join me? Will you choose to keep your eyes lifted to the heavens and see what God is going to do this Christmas season? I just have a feeling that it is going to be amazing.

To Everything There Is A Season…

Kiley Ann