Are YOU Ready for Christmas?

Christmas is Here ...! So, ARE you ready for Christmas? It seems like before Halloween ebbs, tossing Thanksgiving by the wayside, people begin asking 'Are you ready for Christmas?' - have you completed your regimen for the day of celebration by buying and wrapping gifts; putting up trees, lights, and decorations; purchasing and preparing the meal; and acquiring the garb and other machinations for the day ... whew!

But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, 
even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price. ^{1 Pet3:4}

The season of Advent looks to the coming of Christ, His second coming, with all the thankfulness, joy, and anticipation of understanding the fulfillment of the first coming. So, really, are YOU ready? Have you wholly given yourself to Him? ^Lk10:27 Have you abandoned this world as a home and made ready for your heavenly one? ^{Mk10:21, Mt6:19} Have you prepared everyone you could to have the opportunity to join you? ^Mt28:19

Christmas Day is yet to come! But as no one knows the day or the hour ^Mk13:32, we should be ready now. Be ready today! If you are ready, CELEBRATE! Jesus is coming again! Amen.

In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you.
I go to prepare a place for you.
And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself;
that where I am, there ye may be also^{. Jn 14:2-3}

Occupy Christmas in your hearts every day, now into eternity!

Faith for your season

Our pastor in his message today, 'Faith for the Season', mentioned the movie 'The Nativity'. He reminded us the perspective the movie brings from Joseph's point of view - and the strength and cost that was involved in his stand. I too encourage anyone who hasn't seen it to view this movie this Christmas season and to see it again even. It would be especially wonderful to make it part of Christmas Eve activities.

I mention the Nativity in 'Pearlz from Shelz':

The Nativity Story - new Christmas family film night tradition

The Nativity Story

but I bring it up again because the sermon brought home what it takes to stand up in these days and times - the pastor reminded us that the circumstances Joseph accepted took a great leap of faith, faith that could only come from trusting God and humble obedience.

I don't know what your season of circumstances are or whether they are more profoundly absurd than Joseph's, but as the Pastor reminded us today, God still speaks to us, still loves us - His plan more than likely is not the easy way out, but it is the way!

If you get a chance make the Christmas story real in your memory, see 'The Nativity'.

Merry Christmas!

Feast on Christ 'Turn Lonely Holidays into Feasting Holy Days'

I lost my mom hospitalized on my birthday the 11th and passing some days later (a few years back); it casts its hue on this time of year. But God wants us to more than 'observe', but 'participate' / 'engage' (be His bride) - 'DO this in remembrance of me'. Regardless of our emotion or lack of , we must be 'real' with it to experience the fullness of Him. Some of us will do more, some less, our ways will vary but be real! and feast on Him every day! Enjoy the article... Turn Lonely Holidays into Feasting Holy Days It mentions 'upcoming Holy Days 2009-2010

• December 12-19, 2009: Hanukah or Festival of Lights
• March 30-April 6: Passover/ Feast of Unleavened Bread
• May 19-20 (sunset to sunset): Feast of Weeks or Pentecost
• September 9-10 (sunset to sunset): Feast of Trumpets or Rosh Hashanah
• September 18: Day of Atonement
• September 23-30: Feast of Tabernacles or Ingathering
• Every Friday sundown to Saturday sundown: Sabbath rest and celebration of our Father'

and notes: 'for more information on God-established Holy Days, visit: http://biblicalholidays.com/Excerpts/What%20happened.htm. Be sure to check out the sections that reveal the Messiah in each Holy Day description.'