This week before Christmas is one of my favorite weeks of the year. There’s so much to do as I prepare for all my family to be here in our home, and I love it so much!
Since this is the first year to celebrate Christmas without my dad, I’m especially thankful for the hope that Christ’s birth, life, death and resurrection brings. The grave does not have the victory! Occasional pangs of sorrow and loss have leaped up into my heart unexpectedly through this Christmas season, like flames popping up from an extinguished fire. I miss my dad so much at Christmas. His birthday was on Christmas Eve, so it adds another layer of memories and longing, but I preach the truth to myself at those moments. He’s safe with Christ. I will see him again. He is no longer suffering. Peace comes. That’s what Christmas is all about. 🎄
My mom will be spending Christmas with us in Tennessee, Lord willing. She’s suffering with an upper respiratory virus, so we’re praying she’ll be well enough to come. We’re praying we can be a comfort to her as she goes through this first Christmas without my dad. God’s grace will be sufficient, I know!
As I lean into the final preparations to celebrate the birth of Christ with my family, I’m asking the Lord (again and again) to help me keep my focus on Him and not my to-do list! People are more important than tasks or things, and I want to celebrate with my friends and family, and not in spite of them.
For that reason I’ve decided I’m taking a “Christmas break from by blog and probably also my podcast. They both take much time and effort and I want to use that time in other ways these next couple of weeks.
You can always keep up with me on Instagram, if you desire! I pray your Christmas is Christ-focused and full of the true hope only the Babe in the manger could bring to a sin filled world. He is our hope. He is enough!
See you after Christmas!
RefreshHer 
Thank you for your ministry! Merry Christmas!
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Thank you for reading, Susan! I pray your Christmas was full of blessings!
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I enjoy your blogs and I wish you a Blessed Christmas to all and pray that your Mom will be able to be there with you. Joyce Burton from Raynardton, Yarmouth County, Nova Scotia. I met you quite a few years ago at Forest Glen Bible camp at a Ladies retreat in Truro, Nova Scotia
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Joyce, I’ve never forgotten you. Yours and your family’s names are listed in my prayer journal since the first time we met. Thank you for reading my blog and for commenting at Christmas! This was a special gift to me!
My mom DID get to come spend a week with us for Christmas! We had a precious time together!
Happy New Year to you! I pray this will be a rich year of growth in Christ! ❤️
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Greetings from Raynardton, so wonderful to hear that your Mom made it for Christmas. Thank you for all your prayers over these years. God is good and faithful and that in itself is a BLESSING to all. Thank you for the precious work you do reaching out to people. You are a blessing to many. Happy and Blessed New Year. Joyce
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Beautiful thank you! I can forget and focus on my to do list too!
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I pray your Christmas was a blessed one as you focused on Christ!
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Yes, the first holiday without your dad will be hard. But he is having his first Christmas with Jesus and I know that is a comfort to you and your family.
I wish you a very Merry Christmas and blessed 2024.
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The Lord’s comforts were very precious to each of us. My dad was missed, but as truth flooded my heart, I rejoiced for him. No more suffering. He is indeed with the Lord and perhaps 2024 will be the year Christ comes for us!
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Merry Christmas to you and your family! Hope your mom will be able to come.
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She did, Becky!! God is so kind to allow her to be feeling better. She spent a week with us and it was a precious time! May this New Year find you closer than ever to your Savior!
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Thank you and Merry Christmas !
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