MY "NO FUSS" CHRISTMAS

Only 5 more days until Christmas and the activities around the city seem quite normal.  My usual "on-line" shopping for everyone has been completed, the grocery shopping done, presents wrapped and lunches celebrated with friends.  However, something is different this year.  It's quiet, peaceful, and not at all stressful.  I didn't put a lot of decorations up and due to some recent interior home remodeling/redecorating, we decided simply buy a "Charlie Brown" Christmas tree with multi color lights.  We didn't place any ornaments on it but simply placed it in the dining room window and put stockings over the fireplace.

With all the ease of a "no fuss" Christmas, I have found the opportunity to really focus on preparing my heart on the true meaning of Christmas, how I might share who this child is and why I celebrate His birth.  Why DO I celebrate His birth?  What do I want others to get out of this celebration?  Is it just a time for love and greetings?  Is it a time to wish for world peace?  A time to enjoy presents?  A time for children to have a break and get gifts from a jolly old guy in a red suit?  REALLY!  What do I really want others to know why I celebrate this Christmas season?

1.  He fulfilled the OT promise and came
2.  He was born a baby/human but was God
3.  He lived a perfect life
4.  He experienced ALL and was tempted in EVERY way but never sinned
5.  He carried the sins of EVERY man on the cross
6.  He died that ALL who believe may have eternal life
7.  He rose from the dead and sits at the right hand of God
8.  He has a place for all who believe in heaven with Him

This I know....This I am sure....This I celebrate...."No Fuss"....Merry Christmas!

JIMMY'S NEW CHRISTMAS CLOSET

People say I'm organized.  But Jimmy, my husband, is the "master" of organization.  Always has been.  However, there is one area in our home that has eluded his organizational skills....his closet.  He has just contracted The Container Store to design and install a closet system in his master closet.  This process is rather extensive.  One must first "gut" whatever "system" you currently have in one's closet, purge whatever one no longer needs of your personal items, clean or wash away the dirt and paint fresh before a new system can be installed.  This process has taken him a couple of days to complete in preparation for the new system's instillation tomorrow.  But when it is all complete, WHALA!!!! It will be Beautiful! Fresh!  Clean!  Organized!  Just what a closet is supposed to be!

Isn't that why we celebrate Christmas?  Isn't that what Jesus came to do?  He was sent to redeem our souls - provide a way for it to be purged from sin, made right with God, clean and pure, fresh and new again.  Like a new closet system....able to function in a way that would glorify the Father.

I think I'll buy Jimmy a new Christmas tie to hang on his new tie rack!  Merry Christmas Sweetheart!