Christmas has come and gone. But the Gift of Christmas remains. The Gift lasts, staying with us throughout the year. Every single day the Gift is with us. Inside of us. Always guiding us.
He came to earth on a specific mission, with a purpose set in motion before the foundation of the world.
“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.” (John 3:16, NASB)
He came because He loved – He loved each one of us.
He came to give us life, eternal life, but also life here and now.
We are the reason He came;
and in so doing,
He showed us the reason to live.
We live each day to bring Him glory and honor as we live out our purposes, also set in motion before the foundations of the world.
“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we would be holy and blameless before Him. In love He predestined us to adoption as sons through Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the kind intention of His will, to the praise of the glory of His grace, which He freely bestowed on us in the Beloved.” (Ephesians 1:3-6, NASB)
We sit in this week of transition. We remember Who has come, as we look forward to what is yet to come in the new year stretching out ahead of us.
May we examine our lives and ask, what changes need to be made? What will be our focus as we step into a new year? May we realize anew the greater impact Christmas has upon our lives each day.
We are the reason He came.
He is the reason we live!
In this space I usually share one of the posts linked from the previous week. In bringing the year to a close, I want to thank each and every one who has linked up during the year. I had no idea in taking over the linkup the blessings I would receive each week. So thank you, thank you for showing up and sharing your words with me. I look forward to the year ahead and all God has in store for each of our lives!
This last linkup of 2021, I am sharing “Training in Serving Others Begins When They’re Little” by Sally Clarkson. While it was not a linked post, may her words challenge us all “to pray and ask God how He would bless the people around us, through us, in our everyday lives.”
Happy New Year!
Come, sit a spell. Bring your coffee, your posts, and your thoughts. If you link up, kindly visit those who have drawn up a seat around you.
Beautiful reflections and song! Hope you had a lovely Christmas, Joanne, and best wishes for 2022!
Thank you, Leslie. May 2022 be filled with God’s peace, strong faith, health, and encouragement! You are a blessing!
Joanne, there’s something so comforting about the truth that God’s purposes for us–and this messed-up planet–were “set in motion before the foundations of the world.” Nothing that has happened in our lives or these last few years was a surprise to Him. Thanks for helping me along as I ponder how I might need to proceed into the new year. Hugs, friend.
Lois, you have moved me to tears this morning. We all helped each other along this past year. Perhaps this is the beauty we can hold onto ”“ we spurred one another along in our faith; and we will continue to do so. Here’s to all God has for us in 2022 ”“ {{Hug}}. He has been faithful, this I know for certain. May we remain faithful to Him is my prayer!
I love this reminder that nothing happens outside God’s watch. So many unknowns for us all in 2022, and yet all well known to God.
Michele, truly there are many unknowns to us. Yet that has always been true with every new year; and He has always been faithful. By the grace I God we move forward in the strength He supplies day by day. May we continue to encourage one another in 2022 is my prayer.
Wonderful post Ms. Joanne. Thank you so much for sharing ma’am; lots to reflect upon in my quiet time.
Grateful to have you here, J.D. It is always good to reflect on God’s truths with you. May God bless you, keep you, and continue to use you to encourage others and to the honor of His Name.
Joanne, I love this post on transition. I often use this space between Christmas and New Year’s for reflection, release and returning. It’s so comforting to be reminded that nothing past, present or future is outside of God’s will for our lives! Wishing you a New Year of deeper intimacy with Him.
Donna, I love your 3 R’s! The week between always affects me deeply and brings direction for the year ahead. May God bless you and use you in the most unexpected of ways in the year ahead!
Joanne,
Your Christmas cd collection looks a lot like mine 🙂 This line really resonated with me: “We are the reason He came;
and in so doing,
He showed us the reason to live.”
I have been praying God would give me new motivation to be His messenger in this lost world in 2022.
Blessings,
Bev xx
Bev, you made me smile as I remember in one of your posts you asked, “Who even still listens to CD’s?” I’m waving my had furiously over here 🙂 I am joining you in that prayer. May God place His message in us so that we cannot contain it!
I like this in-between time. The major hoopla is over, and we have some wind-down time before setting up new calendars. May the significance of Christmas continue to impact us.
I, too, love this time. It seems so restful to me. May you and yours have a blessed 2022!
Praise Him for His gifts! And thanks for the questions we should ask ourselves to prepare for the new year!
Thank you Joanne for hosting this lovely community over this past year. You’re a blessing to us all!
Bless you,
Jennifer
Jennifer, it truly has been me who has been blessed by all of you. I now hold you all dear in my heart and call you “friends”. I am most grateful for the way we all encourage one another to stay close to our Lord. Looking forward to all He has for us in 2022!
Beautiful post! Really resonates with me as I wrote about keeping Christmas all year this week and thinking about how to live that out week by week and month by month.
I saw that post, Kym, and it resonated with me. God placed that upon my heart in a little different way, but very similar. And I love when He confirms things in this way. I am looking forward to all He has for us in 2022!
The Gift remains. I’m so grateful we have the gift of Jesus incarnate all year round. I need him so.
Amen. I do too, Lisa. May we continue to hold onto our Gift in the days ahead!