Living Out Christmas All Year Long

'Christmas' day has now past. In our home, we are blessed to have a few days off from work and are using that time to do a few household projects, rest and simply catch up from the busy Christmas season.

In December, we were blessed to open our hearts and home to several 'families' that we cherish in our lives. Open homes begin with open hearts and true hospitality comes from a heart that welcomes and makes the guest feel like part of the family.

Church Deacon Family - we serve in the church alongside these precious people.

Image may contain: 9 people, including David McKeithen and Danny Wood, people smiling, people standing and indoor

Image may contain: 9 people, including David McKeithen and Danny Wood, people smiling, people standing and indoor

Image may contain: 9 people, including Joyce Fullbright, Kathryn Fullbright and Janet Lynne Wood, people smiling, people standing, christmas tree and indoor

Work Family - What a blessing when your co-workers feel like family!

Image may contain: 6 people, including Marsha Ayers Mitchell, Vickie Hicks and Cindy Jordan Horvath, people smiling, people standing and indoor

Image may contain: 6 people, including Marsha Ayers Mitchell, Vickie Hicks and Cindy Jordan Horvath, people smiling, people standing and indoor

Simply Family - The people God placed us with - a true gift.

The time spent together was wonderful, the food fabulous, the gifts have been opened and now a New Year is right around the corner. As we count our blessings and ride the nostalgic wave of Christmas a question to ponder could be “What difference will Christmas make today and for the next 363 days?”

This poem came across my email and is a vivid reminder to take time for others. The words we love to speak at Christmas - peace, love, joy, goodwill to man aren't just beautiful holiday words, they can bring life to others we encounter. They can also be active and alive all through the year. When our lives are intentional and our eyes are open to the needs of others, the spirit of Christmas (rooted in Christ) remains all through the year.

Christmas Continues
Ginger Jurries

When the flurry of gifting is stilled,
When the guests have all gone home,
When the decorations are well tucked away,
When the pageants have had their day,
The work of Christmas begins:
To find the lost,
To heal the hurting,
To encourage the downtrodden,
To invite the stranger,
To bring peace to our families,
To join our hearts in worship and song.

Today, who do you know who is lost, or hurting, or lonely? Is there someone with whom you need to make peace?

Help us Lord, to join you as you do the work of repairing God’s world. Amen.

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