Merry Christmas, Gingham Apron friends. We hope you are having wonderful, hope-filled day, and that your thoughts are focused on the gift we were given that first Christmas Day, Jesus.
A friend sent me this beautiful poem this week. I thought that it was so lovely and poignant, and I wanted to share it with you. I love how the writer desires to live a life that honors Jesus, that great gift she was given.
Lord, this is my prayer
Not only on Christmas Day
But until I see You face to face
May I live my life this way:
Just like the baby Jesus
I ever hope to be,
Resting in Your loving arms
Trusting in Your sovereignty.
And like the growing Christ child
In wisdom daily learning,
May I ever seek to know You
With my mind and spirit yearning.
Like the Son so faithful
Let me follow in Your light,
Meek and bold, humble and strong
Not afraid to face the night.
Nor cowardly to suffer
And stand for truth alone,
Knowing that Your kingdom
Awaits my going home.
Not afraid to sacrifice
Though great may be the cost,
Mindful how You rescued me
From broken-hearted loss.
Like my risen Savior
The babe, the child, the Son,
May my life forever speak
Of who You are and all You’ve done.
So while this world rejoices
And celebrates Your birth,
I treasure You, the greatest gift
Unequaled in Your worth.
I long to hear the same words
That welcomed home Your Son,
“Come, good and faithful servant,”
Your Master says, “Well done.”
And may heaven welcome others
Who will join with me in praise
Because I lived for Jesus Christ
Not only Christmas Day
— Mary Fairchild (I’m unsure of the source, but hopefully I linked the correct author!)
This year has been so hard and different, but today we can rejoice that God sent Jesus to be Emmanuel, God with us!
Matthew 1:23 “Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel” (which means, God with us).”
And I rejoice that Jesus is our Prince of Peace and that He will never ever change.
Isaiah 9:6 “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”
Hebrews 13:8 “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.”
And then I want to end with this amazing quote from my favorite author, Corrie ten Boom:
“Who can add to Christmas? The perfect motive is that God so loved the world. The perfect gift is that He gave His only Son. The only requirement is to belived in Him. The reward of faith is that you shall have everlasting life. Lord, through your Holy Spirit, help me to understand so much of the victory and joy of Your coming to earth that I enjoy Christmas more than ever before.”
