Becoming Analise

Our final Christmas thought is summed up in John the Baptist’s proclamation: John 1:29 “The next day he saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, “ Behold , the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!” This is the reason the baby in the manger came. To take away the sins of the world. Your sins. My sins. He has done it. It is finished. It is complete. Salvation is ours! THIS is the whole point of the Christmas story, where God’s redemption plan began to unfold 2,000 years ago. And beyond all comprehension, we - you and I - can behold Him!!! Take time to worship the Lord today because YOU HAVE BEHELD YOUR KING. God has allowed you to behold His Son. His Son endured so much for us because of God’s great love. What a mystery! What a great and undeserving gift! What a blessing! What an honor! Before the gifts are brought out and the Christmas dinner is baked, take time to sit with your Savior. Enjoy your Savior today. Thank Him for your salvation. Praise Him for d

Proverbs 3:5-8 “Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD, and turn away from evil. It will be healing to your flesh and refreshment to your bones.” Christmas Christian = someone who attends church only on Christmas Day (and possibly Easter) Sunday Christian = someone who attends church on Sunday, but the message of Christ doesn't impact their lives the rest of the week Everyday Christian = someone whose relationship with Christ is true, vibrant, and growing; it is evident daily, not just on Sundays Many Christmas services around the country have record attendance on Christmas Sunday. Why? Because there are many “Christmas Christians,” the people who only attend church on Christmas Sunday. Maybe because it’s a tradition. Maybe because its in their upbringing. Maybe because they sense something holy about the holiday

As a child, one of my least favorite days of the year was December 26. Hands down, it felt like the most depressing day to a seven year old who loves the thrill of receiving more gifts. December 26 meant that presents were done. I remember feeling almost depressed that I didn’t have any more gifts to open. I would hope to open my eyes that morning and it magically be December 25 th again so I can relive the moment of having my gifts revealed. Now that I’m an adult, December 26 isn’t all that exciting either because I have to take down all of my Christmas decorations. I just don’t enjoy un-decorating and putting it all away. It’s kind of depressing, and it’s a chore. Okay, enough whining. J   Throughout the process of writing the entries for “Expecting the Messiah,” I kept coming back to the idea of December 26. What will we feel like on December 26? Exhausted now that we can finally relax from the chaotic season? Ready to sleep for three days straight? Stressed because we know t

Ok, so I apologize in advance, but I’m going to begin with a gross analogy. My family recently moved to Iowa. My husband is studying at a university here, and we made our big move in August. The one thing I was most anxious about was winter. Yesterday was the first official day of winter. Coming from Louisiana, the first day of winter is not anything special. In fact, it may even be 80 degrees on December 21 in Louisiana! That’s not really Christmas-y, but it’s a fact for many southern states. However, the first day of winter is not really special in Iowa either because…it has been under 30 degrees for a month now! The cold weather begins in October! On Sunday, the wind chill was -33 and the high was -3! What?? That’s like 60 degrees colder than what Louisiana typically experiences. I was right to fear the winter. However, that cold weather brings something beautiful…snow! Something that this Louisiana girl has experienced about twice (before moving to Iowa!). Louisiana snow i