ISAIAH 9:6

"...His name shall be called WONDERFUL COUNSELOR, MIGHTY GOD, EVERLASTING FATHER, PRINCE OF PEACE." As I cross off each hour, day and week in my planner, I 'm constantly aware of my need to embrace God and all that He has given me to go into each day of this hector yet joyous season! This verse in Isaiah is exactly what I needed to read today to set my heart and feet in the right direction. So lets look at each name of God and see how we can incorporate Him into our comings days.... WONDERFUL...Jesus was a wonder to behold as he entered into our world. His name is Wonderful because He IS wonderful. We so often say that one thing or another is just "wonderful". But truly Jesus is the most and precious wonder there is. So as you go about your day...bring your focus upon the true wonder of this world....Jesus and His birth. COUNSELOR...Wordnetweb with Princeton says that the definition for counselor is...someone that gives direction or advice as to a decision or course of action. Verse by Verse Commentary with Dr. Grant C. Richison tells us that Jesus reveals the mind of God. He counsels us from God's perspection and He gives us God's perspective. So as I go into the day wondering what to buy for my loved ones, what activities should I be apart of and where can I and my family serve this season...I can ask my "personal counselor"....Jesus Christ to guide and direct me and I can know that whatever and wherever He tells me to go...it will not be the wrong decision. What a peace that brings to my weary heart, mind and body. It helps me to keep things simple and I can focus on the important things and not get lost in the hustle and bustle of choices. MIGHTY GOD...Jesus is the fullness of who God is. His character is God's charactor, His strength is God's strength and His love comes from his Heavenly Father and it is one in the same. EVERLASTING FATHER...The Father of eternity, forever and ever...amen! PRINCE OF PEACE...This is where we come to understand that peace will be apart of and characterize Jesus's reign on earth. You and I have this peace within us...and the reason we struggle so hard with walking in that peace is because we truly do not understand what and who that peace is. Take time this day to ask God to bring you the understanding of Jesus's peace and then to help you walk in that peace daily. Only Jesus can give us that "peace that passes all understanding" . I love the way the New Living Translation puts it...Philippians 4:7 " And then you will experience God's peace, which extends anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus." We can be confident in the knowledge that God manages His world well, and because we are His children....if we let Him....He thru His son Jesus Christ will manage our days well too. Days that can be peaceful and full of joy in who Christ is and in knowing why He came to our world. Our days can be directed by our Wonderful Counselor...we can be strengthened by our Mighty God and we can relish in the fact that we have eternity with our Heavenly Father thru His son Jesus....and we can have that type of peace that transcends our understanding and bypasses our burdens and weariness. I will be take the names of Jesus into this week with me...and asking the Holy Spirit to help me rest in them and in my Saviour. MERRY CHRISTMAS!

CHRISTMAS TRADITIONS IN YOUR HOME!

Merry Christmas everyone....I came across some wonderful Christmas traditions and wanted to share them with you. My hubby and I had our own traditions with our 3 boys when they were younger and I will share those along with some new ones I found. I hope that you will try some of these and come up with some of your own.

Our children are vulnerable to the worlds understanding of Christmas. We see every day how Christ is being taken out of this special time of the year. It's never too late to bring in new traditions and if you are like my family....some stayed with us and others went by the wayside. Every family has their own idea of what works and what doesn't so don't be afraid to keep trying new ways to keep Christ in front of your children's eyes and hearts!

1. Our family used the many resources that are out there to bring Advent into our family's weekly schedule. We went with an Advent devotional that was kid friendly (It had to be short enough to keep our boys attention and have fun craft projects to go along with the scripture lesson for that day) and we choose the five Sundays before Christmas, in the afternoons to have our family time around the table. Check with your local Christian Bookstore or internet for many different choices out there for the family.

2. We also made the decision to keep all presents out of sight until Christmas Eve. After many years of hearing the arguments of who had more gifts under the Christmas tree...my hubby and I decided to put only a special wooden Nativity under the tree to remind everyone the reason for the season.

3. I can't remember where I heard about this idea...but I loved it! After Christmas Day was pass....I removed the Christmas ornaments...leaving the lights still on the tree and replaced the ornaments with colorful balloons. Some balloons were filled with scripture that would guide our family into the new year and also some balloons had questions about the coming new year and how our family wanted to grow spiritually. The balloons would be tied on the branches of the tree with colorful ribbon and on New Years Eve we would let each of the boys take their turn in taking a ballon and trying to "sit" on it to pop it. As each balloon was popped the scripture or question would be read and talked about. Remember to keep this activity lively and fun !

4. My hubby is the reader of the Christmas Story in Luke every Christmas morning and even tho my boys are grown when we gather together Christmas morning....he is still the reader...although we may change it up abit this year and have each of us read a portion of the story.

5. One of my favorite traditions was to have everyone pile into our van, hot cocoa and a box of pizza in tow, and off we would go to look at beautiful Christmas lights. There was a special subdivision that we would go to each year that had fun and beautiful lights on display....such fun.

6. Now here is a wonderful "goodie" to add to your family trip to see Christmas lights....

Courtney over at "Women Living Well" has her kids color 5-10 pictures of Jesus, then as they are looking at Christmas lights they will cheer and clap for those who have the Nativity Scene displayed. They will then leave a picture with a note that reads "Thank you for displaying the reason for the season. http://womenlivingwell-courtney.blogspot.com

**I found this on the "Becoming a Strong Woman" blogsite by Sonya Schroeder

7. Another great idea is to make a Christmas Story paper chain. Have the kids create a colorful paper chain that have 25 links on it to hang where it is easily accessible. On each chain link write the story of Jesus and right before bed have the kids pull a link off and read what it says. Once all 25 links are gone it will be Christmas.

These are just a few of the many wonderful ideas for family traditions. I hope that if you haven't taken the time to have some traditions that will help keep your family focused on the Christ of Christmas that you will find one now. It's never too late to start!

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

WHO IS YOUR HOLIDAY "LOAD BEARER"

Holiday "To Do" List

1. Make Drs. appt. for sick Molly

2. Sew sheep outfit for Lillie's church play

3. Prepare Christmas cards

4. Put up Christmas decorations

5. Bake 6 dozen cookies for Bobby's school party

6. Make Christmas Gift List

7. Figure out how to get money for Christmas Gift List

8. Get babysitter for Hubbys Christmas work party

9. Get outfit for party

10. Lose 5 lbs so outfit will fit

Does this list look familiar....my list is about twice as long!! Lets face it....we live in a world of "to do" lists and fast pace living...especially during the holidays.....

Come Thou long expected Jesus,

Born to set thy people free;

From our fears and sins release us,

Let us find our REST in Thee.

Charles Wesley's carol is about the Israelite's longing for a Saviour. They wanted someone to free them from their fears, bondages and weariness. Sound familiar? I think I would have a hard time finding someone who isn't weary already and in need of some rest from their struggles of just trying to get through the hustle and bustle of Christmas shopping, family commitments and activities. There is not enough vitamin C in this world that can bring about the well being and real rest that we need going into this special season.

Just like the Israelites longing for a Saviour, we too need to be set free from our fears of sicknesses, money issues and keeping up with our "to do" lists! We need Jesus....who says "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls." Matthew 11:28-29

In verse 28 the word "rest" (Greek: anapausis) means intermission. Jesus is telling us that when we come to Him, he will give a time of rest....a break in the our busyness. He's not telling us that He will stop our busyness (although...sometimes that is what we need to do) but that in the midst of that burden and heavy load...He is the one we need to go to.

In verse 29 the word "yoke" was referring to a young bullock, who was little in comparison to the full grown ox and who was more experienced and trained to pull the heavy weight. The younger bullock would merely walk in the field next to the larger ox and learn how to be harnessed to his partner. The big ox pulled all the weight and set the direction for the younger one, whose only responsibility was to walk alongside..."in step with" the more experienced bull. Jesus said that those who would bind themselves to Him would not bear the full heavy load.

Can you see the picture? I can. I can imagine myself struggling daily with my heavy schedule load (maybe your heavy load is illness or finances or a relationship) trying to carry it all by myself. Stumbling under the pressure and frustration of rushing against the clock and constantly feeling like I'm falling behind while trying to check off each item on my Christmas "to do" list! And yes...I am a list maker from way back!!

If I would only choose to be willing to find my rest and peace in my Saviour....to allow Him to carry my heavy load...instructing me each step of the way...and giving me the assurance that He is my burden bearer....what a difference there would be in my daily schedule. Jesus doesn't tell us that He would remove us from our heavy loads....but that He would become our "load" bearer!

Wow....I'm choosing this day to walk every day of this Christmas season along side my "Load Bearer"....Jesus Christ! I'm choosing to start each day, no matter how rushed I feel or how busy my morning may be...with Jesus. Asking Him to show me how to carry the load of that day! I'm asking the Holy Spirit to give me the strength and determination I need to start my day running to Jesus and not starting my day running to my "to do" list first!

How will you start each day this Christmas season? Who is your "load bearer"? I am praying that along with me...you will run into Jesus Christ...your real "Load Bearer".