Life After Christmas

That very first Christmas life was changed forever. Now it seems we don't recognize that difference enough. I don't think about who I would be if Jesus hadn't come down as a baby.

But I should.

Madeline L'Engle wrote-

"Was there a moment, known only to God, when all the stars held their breath,when the galaxies paused in their dance for a fraction of a second, and the Word, who had called it all into being, went with all His love into the womb of a young girl, and the universe started to breath again, and the ancient harmonies resumed their song, and the angels clapped their hands for joy?"

We call it Christmas. Few know that it is forever.

We have been searching.....so what is the Spirit of Christmas then?

"For when it is all said and done, and all the events of the story are considered, I believe that Christmas spirit is not as elusive as we might have imagined. And I can say with some certainty what the real spirit of Christmas is.

The real Christmas spirit is a deep-seated, lingering joy in knowing the story is TRUE!

Remove the trees, and the lights, and the poinsettias, and the candles, and the decorations, and the presents, and the food, and the music.....and the story is still there. It is still true and our joy is still full!

The search is over. Let the rejoicing begin!"

Don't forget.

(; Faith Mae

Not so sad of an ending...

For once in my life I enter the end of Christmas day feeling a new beginning and not a sad end. Yes, the festivities are finishing up. The lights come down. Cookies are eaten, decor is packed away. However I have read, studied, prayed and out of all the things I have learned I realize that Christmas is a REMINDER of Christ and the example he was. It is here to remind us how to be of God. Why then do I go back to being full of judgment in January then? I must cherish this blessed reminder!

I see now that pain is apart of the Christmas spirit. That when things are not easy and normal we grow closer to God which is probably why the Holidays are hard in so many ways. Whether it be sickness, family trouble or lack of passion. Yet there is is still room for rejoicing! When we reach for Jesus's healing hand we find the joy only he can provide.

So is Christmas seasonal? No...I think not.

More later.

(; Faith Mae

P.S. Merry Christmas everyone!

Only in December

“It is good to be children sometimes, and never better that at Christmas, when its mighty founder was a child himself.”
Charles Dickens

Boy…I sure am glad he said that because I am bursting at the seams! On the 20th we had a Christmas party and one of the things we had to do was go around our neighborhood and count how many houses actually had lights or décor on them. Everyone rocketed down the street both ways. We had thirty minutes to count and then we each had to visit a house and tell the person we were having a Christmas party at the Morgans and that ‘Jesus is the reason for the season.’ My dad and I went to one house and you could tell the poor old man had not had Christmas spirit in his heart in years. The next house the guy was ready to let us in so we could talk about how important Jesus is! Funny as it may seem I was grabbed by a thought.

If we are blessed enough to have a glow about us during December we need to share it!! Not just with family and friends but at the store in line, or at a restaurant. What we did with the neighbors was wonderful because everyone at the Christmas party teamed up with their kids and basically shared the Gospel! AT A PARTY! Certainly we can make time in our busy lives to wonder and do something about those who are lost in uncertainty. Like the first man we visited. I couldn't have been more excited but somewhere in the back of my mind I had a nagging sensation. Who was that man? What was wrong? How could he not see the joy of the season?

Last night everyone was home and I saw car lights come in through the living room window. We figured it was the Kubiks (our neighbors and church friends.) Well…we were correct but they were not just borrowing our driveway. The whole family came to our door singing carols loud and clear. What a blessing it was to know that those living right next to you would take the time and drive around to friends and family but not forget to stop in. They delivered smiles and gifts and it was beautiful.

You know what my favorite part of Christmas is? It used to be seeing my family open their gifts. Now I think it is all the different times and ways we get a chance to bless someone. These times are abundant right now. Lets take them quickly before in a few days it is over

Or should we?

Why don’t we have the same intensity and kindness January through November? Hmmm.

(; Faith Mae

Confused by Humility

Everything about Christmas if you think about it is totally unexpected!

"In Search of the Real Christmas Spirit." Reminds us that God had a habit of displaying His presence and power through burning bushes, clouds, fire, thunder, lightning, and a ton of other major things!

So....whats with this GIGANTIC contrast? Well...

"Familiarity with what He had done in the past blinds us to what He intended on that first Christmas"

I guess I thought I knew God. Jesus not only was born in a smelly manger but He MADE himself helpless!

"We could never have sought such a God, because we never understood Him and would never have recognized Him. So He had to come look for us. That is the inescapable conclusion of the Christmas story."

I had so many false assumptions about God.
I thought I knew God!
I cannot even believe the pride in my thinking!

Christmas is only a week a way and I am more and more excited! Waiting to see my families faces that morning is a wonderful blessing all in itself.

I found this song the other day and I wanted to share the words with you. Read on.

"It was not a silent night, there was blood on the ground. You could hear a woman cry in the alleyway that night on the streets of David's town. And the stable was not clean and the cobblestones were cold. And little Mary full of grace with tears upon her face had no mother's hand to hold.

It was a labor of pain, it was a cold sky above. But for the girl on the ground in the dark with every beat of her beautiful heart. It was a labor of love.

Noble Joseph by her side, callused hands and weary eyes. No midwives to be found on the streets of David's town in the middle of the night. So he held her and he prayed, shafts of moonlight on his face. But the baby in her womb, he was the maker of the moon. He was the Author of the Faith that could make the mountains move.

It was a labor of pain, it was a cold sky above. But for the girl on the ground in the dark with every beat of her beautiful heart. It was a labor of love.

For little Mary full of grace, with tears on her face. It was a labor of love.

It was not a silent night, on the streets of David's town".

Well that sums it all up. (If that could ever be done with words or in a song.)


(; Faith Mae

Before being Mother of Jesus.

"Mary you have found favor with God. You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his Father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever; his kingdom will never end" Luke 1:30-33



Mary's circumstances surpassed most all of the other Godly women in the Bible. Oddly enough she was younger and maybe even more vulnerable than other as well! I was reading what Dan had to say and the whole thing with Mary and Jesus I will admit has become pretty usual to me. It ISN'T.

It is so very UNusual!


One thing that I thought was an amazing lesson for us was that Mary had no record of being worthy of God's favor!! Meaning she didn't do anything to make God love her more. She had a quiet past. How many of us dream of being famous or making a difference? I know I do! More in the mission field than anything. Not Mary, she was humble and quiet.

What an amazing testimony! I don't know about you but I want to be like Mary. She makes this season even more convicting than it was before!


(; Faith Mae

What is Christmas for?

Last week or so dad, mom and I went looking for a Christmas tree. On the way we decided to stop at the gas station for some coffee. We got our things and mom stopped by the Christmas isle to browse. I didn't think anything of it as I flipped through the gift card rack. A few minutes later we headed to the check out. The young man ahead of us was buying a can of beer and was short a quarter. Turning he asked us if we had the missing change. Fortunately none of us had any change on us so mom gladly offered to pay for the drink included in her own purchase. She also made him promise not to drink and drive. (;

All of a sudden mom turns around and seemingly unexpectedly offers to pay for the next persons several cups of coffee. On the way out to the car she told us that she had wanted to pay for their coffee anyway but they were sweetly taking a while to pick each flavor, syrup and toppings! So that is why she had stalled in the Christmas isle. She said God had blessed us with an extra opportunity with the young man. Not only were we able to bless him, but he also gave us more time in the store to wait for the other family! Is God amazing or what!?

We start the engine and one of ladies came running out to us grinning from ear to ear. She couldn't believe that we had bought her coffee. She told us what a blessing we were and I realized that her smiles brought joy to everyone around her even after we left.

I was truly blessed by my mother that night. She had shown me not only what Christmas is about but what Christmas is for.

(; Faith Mae

Good news. In person.

Forgive the delays in posting! Internet has been down not to mention my sweet family being in town. (: Tonight we went and saw Dolly Parton's Dixie Stampede. It was a wonderful show! When they did the Manger scene a thought struck me. This 'Good news' everyone talks about. Is it for everyone? Well...yes, it is. It is easy for me to think "Oh yeah, God came down for all of our sins to be forgiven."

What is harder to realize and comprehend is that He came to this low point on Earth FOR ME. PERSONALLY!!! He came for you personally. Isn't it amazing how this 'Reason for the season' isn't just a catchy phrase? It is so very real!

More later.

(; Faith Mae