Tag: Christmas

Christian

Who Unwrapped All the Presents?!

Cindy Dawson

My mom used to decorate for Christmas with lots of elegantly wrapped empty boxes tied with the most exquisite bows. She would carefully store them in her basement after the holidays for the next year.

When my son was a little boy he had a friend that lived next door to my parents. We called him “Little Greg”. Even though he is now a lawyer in his 40s I still think of him as “Little Greg”. His mom and my sister were good friends and they took the boys to all the fun places in St. Louis. They went to Six Flags, the Science Center, and the Zoo.

Little Greg and Zack

One day when my son was about 6 years old, he and Little Greg were playing in my mom’s basement. They had been quiet for a long time so my mom went down to check on them. What she saw shocked her!

Wrapping paper and bows covered the floor! The boys had unwrapped all the “fake” Christmas packages looking for toys! This is one of our favorite family stories that never gets old.

No matter how many times it’s told, this story always makes us laugh. My son, Zack, and his friend Little Greg were looking for presents, but all they got were empty boxes! They were looking for gifts in all the wrong places.

This Christmas let us seek the real gift of Christmas, Jesus our Savior and Lord. There are lots of beautifully wrapped packages that are really just empty boxes. But Jesus is the real gift of Christmas. Merry Christmas and God bless you all!

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.  For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.” John 3:16-17 NIV Read full chapter

Love, Cindy

Do you want to know more about Jesus? See my page Who Is Jesus?

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Christian

The Best Christmas Blessing

Cindy Dawson

As a child, I remember being so excited for Christmas Eve to finally come. First, Santa rode by our house on top of a fire engine waving and shouting “Ho Ho Ho! Merry Christmas!” All the neighborhood children watched excitedly. It was always cold and often snowing in New Jersey at Christmas.

One of my fondest memories is helping my parents put toys together for my younger siblings on Christmas Eve. I am twelve years older than my brother and 9 years older than my sister, so they were put to bed and fast asleep before the real excitement could begin!

I always loved puzzles (and still do), so I loved putting toys together that might send someone else off the deep end! Plus, it was fun to be included in “playing Santa”.

Playing Santa for my own children brings many joyful memories as well. So I am reminded this Christmas that it truly is more blessed to give than to receive. The real blessing and strongest memories are from giving to others.

If you are troubled this Christmas with money problems and frustrating events, there is a way to save the Christmas season! See where you can give to others. Find someone that you can help. Everything may be upside down this year, but we can still receive the blessing that comes from giving. God blesses us so that we will be able to bless others. God told Abram,

“I will make your name great,
    and you will be a blessing.” (Gen. 12:2).

And the Apostle Paul said,

“In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ ” Acts 20:35 NIV

Even if your Christmas budget is less than normal (like mine) you can still find ways to give. My sister reminds me that everyone likes to get a gift! Even if someone is able to buy anything they might want, they will still enjoy getting a small gift to open.

One of the gifts I will give this year is handmade crocheted dishcloths made by me! It costs little, but everyone loves them!

Just this morning I was told about a family with six small children that had lost everything. My friend got the word out and we are helping them by donating furniture and anything else we can give. It’s been amazing how quickly everyone stepped up and donated things they need.

And remember this: The best antidote for depression is helping other people! So find a way to bless others and you will be blessed yourself! Have a very merry Christmas!

With Love,

Cindy

This is My Journey Unscripted.

Click this link to learn more about Jesus: Who Is Jesus?

Photo by Unsplash

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Christian

This Christmas Celebrate God’s Peace

Cindy Dawson

“For to us a child is born,
    to us a son is given,
    and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called
    Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
    Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” Isaiah 9:6 NIV

Christmas is the time to celebrate God’s unfailing love. Even if circumstances have left you in deep despair, you can know the love, comfort, and peace that only God provides. If you will turn to the Lord for help, He will heal your broken heart and bind up your wounds.

I want to tell you about a family who, in the darkest hours of life, did just that. In 1873, the ocean liner Ville de Havre sailed from New York for Europe. On board was Anna Spafford and her four little girls: Annie 11, Margaret Lee 9, Bessie 5, and Tanetta, age 2. Anna’s husband, Horatio was detained at the last minute, by important business. He promised to join them as soon as possible.

About 2 am the sleeping passengers were awakened by a loud crash. The ocean liner had been hit broadside by another ship. Panicked, the passengers scrambled to the deck. Trying desperately to hold on to the hands of her two youngest children, Anna was separated from Annie and Margaret Lee in the terrified crowd.

Because the lifeboats had been recently painted, they were stuck to the ship and could not be pryed away. With only a few lifeboats most of the passengers drowned in the icy ocean waters. It took less than 12 minutes for the ship to sink.

Anna was found lying unconscious on a floating beam from the ship’s wreckage. Her four little girls were nowhere to be found. Anna alone was rescued.

It was nine days before Anna was able to send a message to her husband back in Chicago. Horatio left immediately to go to his grieving wife.

On his journey, the ship captain showed Horatio the place where the ocean liner went down. As he stood on the deck, looking out at the deep waters, Horatio reached out to the Lord for comfort.  He penned these words, still sung today, as he passed over his children’s watery grave.1

VERSE 1
When peace like a river attendeth my way
When sorrows like sea billows roll
Whatever my lot, Thou hast taught me to say
It is well, it is well with my soul

CHORUS
It is well with my soul
It is well with my soul
It is well, it is well with my soul

VERSE 2
Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come
Let this blest assurance control
That Christ has regarded my helpless estate
And has shed His own blood for my soul

VERSE 3
My sin, oh the bliss of this glorious thought
My sin, not in part, but the whole
Is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul

VERSE 4
And Lord, haste the day when my faith shall be sight
The clouds be rolled back as a scroll
The trump shall resound, and the Lord shall descend
Even so, it is well with my soul

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7 NIV

With Love,

Cindy

This Is My Journey Unscripted.

Click this link to learn more about Jesus: Who Is Jesus?

Photo by Fumiaki Hayashi on Unsplash

1https://www.loc.gov/exhibits/americancolony/amcolony-family.html

2https://www.pbs.org/video/it-well-my-soul-8dzfrb/

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Christian

A Verse For Today, 12/24/19

Cindy Dawson

“I will put my law in their minds
    and write it on their hearts.
I will be their God,
    and they will be my people.
 No longer will they teach their neighbor,
    or say to one another, ‘Know the Lord,’
because they will all know me,
    from the least of them to the greatest,”
declares the Lord.
“For I will forgive their wickedness
    and will remember their sins no more.” Jeremiah 31:33b-34 NIV

CONTEXT: Jeremiah prophesied concerning the New Covenant instituted through the blood of Christ. For all who are in Christ, God will forgive their sins and remember them no more!

With Love, 

Cindy

This Is My Journey Unscripted.

Do you want to become a Christian? Click this link to learn more: Who Is Jesus?

realchristianwomen.blog  

Photo by Jametlene Reskp on Unsplash