Wednesday, December 31, 2008

Happy 2009!

For Christmas this year Doug's folks sent us a book "In Search of...The Real Spirit of Christmas" by Dan Schaeffer. I sat down to read it shortly after.

"Christmas seasons come and go, often leaving us with vague pangs of regret. Why does the Christmas spirit seem so elusive? What is the real Christmas spirit anyway? Even those who know the Reason for the season can find themselves wondering if they've missed something."

Last night I read this and the glory of Christmas is the fact that because of Christmas we are so blessed!

We have fallen into favor. And the Christmas spirit will fill our hearts when we realize that each of us receives the gift of Christmas the same way Mary did. Our faith is not an accomplishment; it is a "gift of God" (Ephesians 2:8-9). The grace we have received is not payment for good behavior, but an act of mercy.

As Jesus was born physically in Mary, so we have been born spiritually into Him. Gabriel's announcement echoes in us as well. We have been highly favored. The Lord is with us!"

That is just incredible!

We are in a deep freeze up here. BLEAH! Here are a few pictures to give you an idea of what we are enduring right now. haha

Many blessings to your and yours - my fellow Believers. May our God comfort you too in this sin-sick world; may He prove His never-ending love in your lives daily; may He strengthen you; may He make aware each minute of 2009 that He will soon return as the victorious King and Lord of all that He is! Stand firm in His righteousness to the end.

Happy New Year from us up here in cold, cold Alaska. (I'm looking or maybe I should say LONGING for spring already!)

P.S.!!!! Not to worry - all dogs pictured are indoors and toasty warm!

5 comments:

DeLong House said...

Hahah! Moto looks old!

Faith said...

HAPPY NEW YEAR....and stay warm!!

mrsjojo said...

Sounds like a very interesting book. Happy New Year to you and your family. YIKES!! I fled the cold in Soldotna where it was 30 below 0 for the last few nights. It is a bit "warmer" up here in Anchorage. :) Keep warm.

Susannah said...

Brr, it's cold up there, Connie Marie! Sending you wafts of warm air from my foot heater...

I love this thought: We have been highly favored. The Lord is with us! Amen, Emmanuel, the Lord is with us!

(((Hugs)))

nancy said...

I've been thinking about you! We always check the Alaska Daily News and the live-cams and weather reports up there. Seems like Big Lake is getting a real deep-freeze this year (along with a lot of others).
I'm just catching up, reading a few of your recent posts. Hope this finds you all well and toasty.
Love,
Nancy