A Christmas Mulling

“…whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right,
whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable –
if anything is excellent or praiseworthy – think about such things.
…and the God of peace will be with you.”
Philippians 4: 8-9b NIV

When I first decorate my home for Christmas everything looks so beautiful! Even though it is a lot of work I still say things like “I just love Christmas!” or “Christmas is my favorite time of year.”

And then it’s over. The candles have burned down to a nub and there is wax on my favorite tablecloth. My pretty holly dinner dishes are clean but stacked on the counter waiting to be packed away for another year. The cute cookie tins that were full of cookies just a few days ago now contain only a few stale crumbs. Our once beautiful tree now looks wilted and the bottom of the tree looks naked without the gifts skirting the base. As my eyes cruise the room I see stacks of unwrapped gifts everywhere that are waiting to find their new home. Piled up at the back door are several large garbage bags full of crumpled wrapping paper and crushed bows that are waiting to make their way to the curb for tomorrow’s trash pick up. I am finding it hard to believe that jut a few days ago everything was picture perfect.

This scenario reminds me that the glitter of life always leave us feeling let down and unfulfilled. No matter how beautiful and appealing the things of life are they are only temporary. The aftermath of a holiday, or a party, or a nice vacation can leave us feeling disappointed, lonely, and depressed. The truth is that there is absolutely nothing in this life that can satisfy our inner soul but Jesus and doing the work that he has given us to do.

I love my family and I cherish the time we have together but when Christmas is over and there is nothing left but hugging everyone good-bye and cleaning up the mess I must admit that I get a little depressed. I have even been known to shed a few tears. I think that this year I would be wise to guard my heart and move on in a positive way. I think that first on my agenda will be sitting in my favorite chair and sipping a hot cup of cranberry-orange cider as I mull over some of the very wonderful events of the holiday. Yes, reflection is exactly what I need.

What will I mull over? I think that I will try to think about the things that can’t be purchased and things that are true and noble. I want to think about things that are right and pure. I will choose to think about lovely and admirable things. I will mull over things that are excellent and praiseworthy.

To start with I will close my eyes and inhale the refreshing aroma of my Frasier Fir. Even after the ornaments have been removed the fragrance will still remain. Our Christmas tree will serve as a reminder that Jesus died on a tree and because of that I am forgiven.

I will also think of our delicious Christmas dinner. I love to sit a pretty table and prepare delicious food. Even though only a few leftovers remain I can still remember the good meal and the fellowship as we sat around the table. God’s provision is always something to give thanks for. Now this memory triggers my mind to think about how God continues to provide for me in unique and amazing ways every day. I am blessed and privileged to be under his Almighty wing of protection.

Another memory would be the twinkle in my grandchildren’s eyes on Christmas morning. The innocence of childhood and the faith of little children is something to imitate. Jesus has said that we need to come to him with the simple faith of little children.

Moving on I begin thinking about the music of Christmas. My all time favorite is “Mary Did You Know?” and perhaps for the last time this year I will hum that tune and play those lyrics over again in my mind.

The tree lights are still twinkling and as they twinkle I know that Jesus is my hope. He is the light in a very dark world. This year I am thankful for all of the gifts that I received, but at this moment I want to think about all of the rich gifts that God so generously gives me over and over again. They are his priceless gifts of love, peace, joy, and hope.

Still looking around the room I see splashes of red everywhere and this too, serves as a beautiful reminder to me of Jesus’ shed blood. It was his own precious blood that he shed for my salvation.

I must say that now my spirit is refreshed, but I think that my body is in need of a much needed nap. So what’s one more day? I believe that tomorrow I can clean up the Christmas mess with a smile on my face as I look forward to January and the start of a new year.

I believe that this year I have discovered a four step program for phasing out of a busy but beautiful Christmas.

Step 1 – Reflect on meaningful moments
Step 2 – Rejoice in the birth of Christ
Step 3 – Rest
Step 4 – Resolve to move ahead

This year my plan for moving ahead is to read all four of the gospels. Christmas is about the birth of Christ, but I now want to walk through the thirty-three short years that he walked on this earth. The winter months will be a perfect time for doing this.

Questions:

How does Christmas leave you feeling?

What are your favorite Christmas memories?

Do you think that the four step program of Reflect, Rejoice, Rest and Resolve might be of benefit to you?

Prayer:

Dear Jesus,

Thank you for the joy that I have experienced this Christmas season. Thank you for the music of Christmas that has carried me to heavenly heights. Thank you for my family that gathered together. Thank you Jesus, that you are the reason for this Christmas season. Thank you for the delicious sweet treats that I have enjoyed that remind me that your name is indeed the sweetest name on earth. Lord, I am tired so please give me your peace and rest. I know that you too rested after your work. Jesus I ask that you give me your direction and purpose for the days ahead. I pray that you would create within my heart a deep longing and desire to know you more as I seek to have your thoughts become my thoughts.

Now Lord, I pray for those who may not have had a wonderful Christmas. Jesus please wrap your arms of love around the poor, the needy, the sick, the lonely, the solider, and the one who is grieving. Father, please grant peace to each hurting life and give them a double portion of your love. Send hope into their heart. Comfort them and provide for them in the days ahead. Please help them to look to you for the grace they need to get through this difficult time in their life.

In Your Name I Pray. Amen.

Christmas In the Garden

“For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ,
that though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor,
so that you through his poverty might become rich.”
2 Corinthians 8:9 NIV

Even on a day when there is so much to do I feel I must spend time in the garden. The garden is especially beautiful this time of year. Freshly fallen snow and holly bushes bearing the brightest red berries that I have ever seen, welcome me to the garden. Poinsettias provide a blanket of red on a nearby hill. The air is crisp and dozens of red cardinals fly first here and then there. They are incredibly beautiful birds! God’s color combinations are always perfect. Dark tree bark provides outstanding contrast against the pure white snow. Evergreens and holly bushes add a stately background of green that allows the vibrant accents of the red cardinals, the holly, and Nandina berries all project their beauty. This winter scene is a breathtaking vision of splendor. My garden parades beautiful Poinsettias and amaryllis up and down every pathway. Yes, I know that Poinsettias and amaryllis bulbs freeze in a cold environment but in the garden of my heart I can have it all!

During my time of personal prayer and reflection the Master Gardener seems to sense that I am cold. Even though I am appropriately dressed I cannot deny the chill. He smiles and says come with me. The Gardener invites me to come and sit by the fire that he has built in one corner of the garden. I reach down in my bag and pull out a thermos of hot chocolate and two mugs. At the last minute I add a peppermint candy cane. He smiles and says, “You remembered.” Yes, the cane is the shape of an upside down “J” that stands for Jesus. The pure white peppermint serves as a reminder that Jesus takes away our sin and makes my heart as white as snow. The three stripes of red that twist around the candy cane stand for the three wounds of Jesus and I am reminded that it is by his bloody stripes that am I healed. Yes Lord, I remember. How could I forget? You are so precious to me.

Never mind that I have much to do, I must continue to stay in the garden. The day has now turned to night. The heavenly stars twinkle and the full moon is perfect. All day long I have been with Jesus and it has been a wonderful day. Before leaving the garden Jesus takes me back to a place long ago. In my mind I see a lowly stable. I see Mary gazing into the eyes of her child and her Savior. I see Joseph standing guard over Jesus and realizing that someday he would grow to depend upon this now helpless baby. The stable is quiet except for an occasional sound from the animals. The moon and the stars above the stable provide all of the light that they need. But even if the stars should dim the Christ child would shine because he is the light of the world. And now the guests begin to arrive. They are lowly shepherds coming with their sheep. The shepherds bow at the manger in worship. They have come not to worship a child but to bow before the King.

As I leave the garden I feel abundantly blessed and lavishly loved. I am truly amazed that God would choose to leave the splendor and glory of heaven and come to earth for me and for you. He was rich, yet he became poor. What kind of love is this?

Questions:

Have you taken time this season to focus on Jesus and his entry into our sinful world?

What do you think those who witnessed that Holy night thought about Jesus?

What was the rest of the world doing?

Prayer:

Dear Jesus,

Thank you so much for leaving the splendor and glory of heaven. How very different this world must have been for you. As you grew older were you homesick for heaven and for your Heavenly Father? While you lived on earth did you feel the love of Mary and Joseph? Did you mind being poor? How often did you remember how rich you used to be? Jesus, your birth was only the beginning. Jesus I am humbled when I remember that it was for the moment of the cross that you came to this world. Doing the will of your Father was your only focus. God’s will was your death. Your death was the plan for my forgiveness. Lord Jesus, help me to fall so deeply in love with you that I will be willing to do your will each and every day without question. This Christmas I want to rejoice in your perfect gift to me, my salvation. Jesus thank you for all you have done for me.

In Your name I pray. Amen.

Wrapping It Up!

“For the wages of sin is death,

but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

Romans 6:23 NIV

Today my mind is racing in a million different directions. This morning I am finding it difficult to stay focused and to move forward with a peaceful heart. While drinking my morning coffee I began to review everything that is on my “to do” list for this power day! If you are a list maker you will understand, if not I’m afraid I can’t help you. The fact is I make lists of my lists. Isn’t that sad?

I’m now going to brace up and prepare for the surge of power and control that comes over me when I realize the projects that I have already accomplished. And oh the joy that comes from checking each item off my list! Now with pen in hand I begin the energizing ritual. Tree up – check. House decorated – check. Shopping finished – check. Cards mailed – check. Cookies baked – check.

Yes! I feel an uncontrollable smile forming on my face as I realize that today is the day for my favorite Christmas project, wrapping gifts. I always save the best for last. I love wrapping gifts because that is how I savor something of my holiday preparations just for my own enjoyment. Wrapping gifts signifies to me that I am just about to wrap it all up! In a few minutes I will gather my gift wrapping supplies, turn on the tree lights, and crank up the Christmas music. It is in this atmosphere that I am in my element.

I love wrapping each and every gift that has been selected in love. I love to give a gift that says I know what you need and I want to give it to you. I love giving a gift that expresses to the one that will open it the fact that I know them and I know what they like. As I wrap each gift I also pray for the one who will receive the gift.

Gift wrapping is the project that allows my creative juices to flow. I nestle each gift inside colorful tissue paper, and then wrap each box in an appropriately selected paper. Creating the perfect bow is the icing on the cake. Last but not least I choose a gift tag for the package. I love recycling the beautiful Christmas cards received the previous year for this purpose. I trim each card with decorative scissors and then place the appropriate card on each of my packages. I will choose a little shepherd boy for my grandson, Joshua. I will find a sweet angel for my granddaughter, Abigail. I will select a polar bear with a red bow around its neck for my hubby, who loves polar bears. And I will search for a drummer boy for my son, David, who is a musician. As I dig down into the pile of Christmas cards I find a perfect card for my daughter, Amy. It is a picture of a cozy room decorated for Christmas. This scene reminds me of my daughter because she knows how to make her home so beautiful for the Christmas holiday. Then perhaps I can find a card with lots of Christmas goodies for my son-in-law, Todd, who never wants to miss out on sweets! I also use religious cards that tell of the birth of the Christ Child for additional packages. Each of these gift cards serve as a reminder of God’s perfect gift to all of us.

When the last gift is wrapped I lovingly place all of them under the tree. The tree was beautiful before but now it is exquisite! What is it about all of the beautiful gifts that make the tree so lovely? This will be the night that I will make hot chocolate, turn down the room lights and bask in the twinkling lights of our tree with my hubby.

Wrapping gifts always reminds me of God’s gift to all humanity. He carefully selected the perfect gift. God knew we needed a Savior and he was delighted to give him to us. God sent his son, gift wrapped him in simple swaddling clothes and laid him in a manger. God hoped humanity would love his son as much as he did.

I am reminded that I place my gifts UNDER the tree but God placed his gift ON the tree. Jesus Christ became the sin sacrifice for your sin and for my sin. This was God’s way of wrapping it up!

If you have never realized that Jesus Christ died on the cross to remove sin from your heart I hope you will consider that fact today. As you consider that fact I pray that you will choose to believe that it is true. Jesus is God’s free gift to you. Remember a gift never really belongs to you until you reach out and take it. So this Christmas season, reach out in simple faith and receive the gift that God’s has for you. Open your mind to the reality that God loves you and wants you back with him where you belong. Receive God’s precious gift of salvation and eternal life today.

Questions:

What is your favorite Christmas project?

Can you think of a way to bring Jesus into that project?

Have you ever asked Jesus Christ to be the Lord of your life?

When did Jesus become real to you?

When did the reality of his personal sacrifice and free gift of salvation take root in your heart?

How has accepting Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior made a difference in your life?

Prayer:

Dear God,

At times it seems I can’t comprehend all of the events that led up to the birth of your Son. I lack understanding so therefore I need faith. Some people do not want to be a fool for believing in Jesus Christ, but I don’t want to be a fool for not believing. Today I want to set aside my intellect and simply open my heart. God if you are real reveal that truth to me right now. I am told your Holy Bible says if anyone will seek you they will find you. So today God, here I am seeking you. I reach out in simple faith and take the gift of your salvation for my life. I realize I have been born into the sin of humanity and the only way I can be cleansed and set free of sin is to accept Jesus Christ and his sacrificial death for me. I am beginning to understand this is the only way I can be free of my sinful condition. Today I am going to choose to believe in your Son for the forgiveness of my sin. I thank you God for my very special Christmas gift of salvation.

In Your Son’s name I pray. Amen.

If you have recently trusted in Jesus Christ and his forgiveness for your life I would love to hear from you. I would love to pray for you and encourage you in your new life. If you would like to share this decision with me you may send me a confidential e-mail at:

paula@thegardenofmyheart.org

Treasured Things Worth Pondering

"But Mary treasured all these things and pondered them in her heart.”

Luke 2:19 NIV

Christmas traditions are very special but in our family I had a desire to create a Christmas tradition that would also leave a spiritual legacy. For the past few years on Christmas morning I have given each member of our family a special Christmas card and inside the card I place a laminated scripture card. I select a new verse each year and as a family we adopt that verse as our family verse for the coming year.

The young children have a simplified version of the verse to place in their room. The adults can place their verse on their desk, in their Bible, or any other place that provides a daily reminder. This special gift to each family member is designed to unite our family in our faith and in our love for one another as we pray for each other throughout the coming new year.

When our children were young, we also had another tradition. Every Christmas Eve all of the cousins in the family would take part in a homespun Christmas pageant. The little boys would don their bathrobes, bath towels for the headdress, and walking canes for shepherd staffs. The little girls would sprout angel wings and one lucky girl would get to be Mary. After the pageant we lit candles and sang “Away in a Manger” and “Silent Night.” After that we brought in a special birthday cake for Jesus’ birthday and all the children sang happy birthday to Jesus and blew out the candles.

For me these are priceless memories to be forever treasured in my heart. Many of you know exactly what I am talking about because you have your own memories. If you do not have any special holiday memories I would encourage you to make some family memories that you will treasure in your heart for the years to come.

Mary had her own set of Christmas memories. Even on the very first Christmas, Mary reflected on the events leading up to Jesus’ birth. I imagine that she thought about the loving care of Joseph. Perhaps she remembered the long trip to Bethlehem and the actual birth of Jesus. No doubt she was amazed that her child was the Son of God. Perhaps she might have even been flabbergasted that God would choose an animal stable for the birth place of his Son. Mary may have thought about the star, the shepherds, and the angels. Scripture tells us for certain that Mary treasured, stored and pondered the memories in her heart.

Mary must have been very humbled to have been used by God in such a privileged way. I see Mary just as an ordinary woman who was nothing more than an available, obedient servant willing to be used by God. It is also my privilege to care for my family. I too am amazed that God would entrust me with the awesome job of being a mother and now a grandmother. It is my desire to make memories that are worth storing and pondering in my heart. I am just an ordinary woman who wants to be available and obedient to God.

Questions:

What are the things in your heart that you treasure and ponder?

Are you inspired by the example of Mary, an ordinary woman, who simply wanted to be obedient and used by God? Read: Luke 1:38, 46-49

Do you, like Mary, count it a privilege that God also wants to use you?

If you are a male reading this please pray for the women in your life who in the past have made Christmas meaningful for you. If you are married pray for your wife who works hard to make Christmas a special holiday for the family. Trust me men...it is a labor of love.

Prayer:

Dear Lord,

I know that you do not use every person in the same way. Some people are mothers amd fathers and some are grandmothers and grandfathers. Others wish with all their heart that they could be, but as yet it has not happened. Today I pray for all of those individuals. Some men and women are single and in many ways feel alone, yet you are able to show them traditions that they can share with others who may be in the very same place in their life. Lord this day I pray that all these people would embrace who they are in Christ Jesus. Every person gifted in his or her own special way. Lord I pray that we would all be men and women who are available and obedient to serve you in any way that you choose for us to serve.

In Your Name I pray. Amen

Christmas Ornaments

“And now these three remain: faith, hope and love.”
I Corinthians 13:13 NIV

Yesterday was a Christmas shopping day. I cannot believe the hundreds of ornaments that are for sale. Some are silver and others are gold. Some are shiny and colorful while others are covered with glitter and glitz! Some ornaments are cute and some look like sweet treats. Others remind us of snow. There are bangles of all sorts that depict Santa, reindeer, elves and snowmen. Very few Christmas ornaments are religious.

I personally am greatly disturbed by ornaments that look like penguins, mice, campers, fishermen, professional people, sports enthusiasts and Disneyland! If you happen to like those ornaments please accept my apology. It was not my intent to offend you. I’m sure your tree is lovely!

When I was a child I was given a very special Christmas ornament. It was a small burgundy horn. This little trumpet was placed on our tree every year. When I started a home of my own, my mother graciously gave me my precious ornament. This horn would now hang from my Christmas tree. When my two children were little they loved blowing long and loud blasts before hanging the horn on the tree. I might add that they enjoyed hanging it within their reach so that it would be handy for future concerts. As the Christmas season progressed my endurance for their questionable music diminished to zero and at that point I would take the horn and place it on a very high branch of the tree. It was my good fortune that they never turned the tree over trying to reach the heirloom horn. Now as you might have guessed, my grandchildren love the horn and when they are around it becomes their favorite ornament.

Our ornaments carry with them memories of Christmases past. Some are beautiful and others are handmade by our children. Some remind us of the person who gave the ornament to us. As we hang each ornament on our tree we relive the emotional sentiment attached to each one.

This year as I hang ornaments on my tree I want to remember that my life displays its own set of ornaments. Those ornaments hang there everyday for everyone to see. Long after I am gone others will remember the ornaments that have exemplified my life. I wonder if there will be shiny superficial ornaments of pride and self-centeredness. Will there be dark, unattractive ornaments of fear and anger? Will my ornaments reflect un-forgiveness, greed, and control? Will the star that sits atop my life’s tree be self centered or will it be God centered. Will the ornaments of my life shine for Jesus?

Jesus Christ came to this earth so that we might not perish but have everlasting life. Jesus came to change lives, not only through salvation but through the process of sanctification. Jesus came to smash to death those ornaments of destruction that hang on the branches of our heart. In their place Jesus desires to give us his ornaments of grace that will carry us through this life and on into eternity. Three of those most precious ornaments are faith, hope and love, and the greatest of these is love!

Questions:

When was the last time that you pulled out the box that contained your life’s ornaments and examined them?

What did you find?

Among the beautiful ornaments that Jesus has placed in your box which do you treasure the most?

Do you see any ugly ornaments that need to be smashed and replaced with an ornament that reflects God’s beauty?


Prayer:

Dear Lord,

Help me to use this Christmas season to draw closer to you. As I decorate my home and our Christmas tree please show me if there are any ugly ornaments in my life that need to be replaced. Search me God and see if there is any wicked way in me, cleanse me from every sin and set me free. Demolish the ornaments of destruction that are lying in my heart. Lord, during the next few days I have much to do but as I go about my Christmas preparations I pray that I will seek you. Restore to me the joy of Christmas. Please hang your ornaments of grace on the branches of my life.

In Your Name I Pray. Amen.

An Upside-down Thanksgiving

"O give thanks to the LORD; for he is good; for his mercy endures forever."
1 Chronicles 16:34 AKJV

Every Thanksgiving we have a delicious meal of turkey and stuffing with all the trimmings. I then invite our guests to make their way to the dessert buffet. I’m always accused by someone of saving the best for the last.

I wonder what would happen if we started with the dessert buffet? I know for a fact it would make my grandchildren happy and many of the adults as well! It’s not that they don’t enjoy the main meal it is just that they would like to have what pleases them the most first.

If you are like me you live each day in a spirit of gratitude and thanksgiving. However, on Thanksgiving Day most of us will pause, at least a few moments to think about what it is that we are thankful for. Hopefully that thanks will be directed toward God because it is God who provides all things.

When you ask a child what they are thankful for they usually say, their toys, or their electronic games. Sometimes they are thankful for mommy and daddy. Their list is usually very short and self-centered. I am appalled when I realize that far too often I fall into that same pattern of thanksgiving.

Why is it that when someone asks me what I am thankful for my mind goes immediately to things that are self-centered and right in front of my face. High on my list of thankfulness is my family, my home, my job, my health, my food, my friends, my church, my, my, my, everything. This is not wrong because we should be thankful for all that God has so richly provided for us. I know beyond a shadow of doubt that God is not amazed by my responses because he knows that I am human. The Bible tells me that I think on things below rather than things above. My thoughts are without a doubt upside - down thinking.

Sooner or later I finally do get around to being thankful for my salvation and for all the many blessing that come my way because of my faith. I am thankful for peace and joy. I am thankful for wisdom and understanding. I am thankful for God’s amazing love and faithfulness. I am thankful for the hope I have in heaven. I am thankful for God’s guidance in my life. I am thankful for God’s grace, his compassion and mercy towards me. His marvelous mercy that says, Paula, I know you are dust. I understand that your thinking is upside down. I love you regardless of the order in which you give thanks. I know your heart says things that your mouth does not speak. I love you unconditionally with a love that never ends.

Yes Lord, I am privileged, blessed and thankful! I’m glad that you understand that I save the best for last even though it is the sweetest of all!

Questions:

Have you ever experienced upside-down thankfulness?

What are you most thankful for?

Are you thankful for God’s love and mercy that endures forever?


Prayer:

Dear God,

Thank you that you are a God of never ending love and mercy towards all those who love you. Forgive me Lord when I express self centered thanksgiving. Help me God to be more conscious of my intangible blessings. Today I want to express my thanks for those blessings first of all. In addition, thank you for all the things that you give me to see, hear, taste, smell, touch, love, and personally enjoy. God, from the bottom of my heart I want to thank you for all of my temporal blessings. God you are amazing! Thank you for your merciful love that understands and covers all my upside-down thinking.

In Your Son’s Name I Pray. Amen.