Christmas Is Just the Beginning

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By some standards, Christmas is over. The radio stations have gone back to playing their usual selections. Stores are putting out Valentine’s Day merchandise, and kids are settling down to play with their new toys from Santa.

For Christians, though, Christmas Day is just the beginning. The celebration of Christmas is our reminder of Whose we are, Whose example we claim to imitate, and Who gives us the power to imitate Him. 

These reminders spur us out of our complacency. Now is not the time to go back to our old way of doing things, as the radio stations have done. Rather, now is the time for us to examine how closely we’ve been following our Lord and His example. Now is the time to set fire to our lukewarm faith and let it propel us toward Him and everything He lovingly commands us to do. It’s time to abandon any practices or habits we’ve slid into that have pulled us away from the people we love. It’s time to start giving more of ourselves to those in need in specific, measurable ways. It’s time to take concrete steps to strengthen our relationship with our Lord, through prayer and the sacraments, so that we may become even more like Him in the new year. We know that doing these things will bring us the happiness we’re craving.

Listen to what our Lord may be saying to you today:

I want you close to Me. I’m with you. Do you notice?

It doesn’t matter what others are doing. What are you doing?

It doesn’t matter what your past looks like. You can still start again today.

Step toward Me. Look for Me. 

Look for Me smiling at you when you first look outside in the morning.

See Me trying to get your attention with the unexpected surprises you encounter in nature.

My blessings are all around you. Do you notice them?

Is today just like any other day or are you looking for Me?

Are you willing to give up something that’s precious to you so that I can replace it with something better?

Are you willing to empty your hands and heart of those things you’re attached to that have wedged their way between you and Me? Do you even see the distance between us?

I want you close to Me. I want to show you all the joy that living in My love can bring you. That’s why I came to earth: to show you a better way – the way that will give you the joy and peace you’re so desperately seeking.

Christmas Day was just the beginning. Let’s use today to start anew by giving more of our time, our resources, and our very selves to our Lord.

“The way we may be sure that we know Jesus is to keep His commandments. Whoever says, ‘I know Him,’ but does not keep His commandments is a liar.”  –1 John 2:3-4

“Lord, show me the way toward You.”

Thank you for reading my reflection. © 2023 Gina Bedell     Comments are always welcome! 

Please share this with your friends by clicking on one of the icons below. Blogspot doesn’t have a ‘subscribe’ feature and so I appreciate your help in sharing my reflections. Thanks!

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P.S.

Pray for peace in Ukraine, the Middle East, and around the world. Donate toward a cause that tugs at your heart. Take care of those around you; take care of our planet. Pray for the families around the globe whose lives have been torn apart by war and natural disasters.

Let Joy Fill Your Heart This Christmas

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There’s a joke that makes the rounds this time of year: “Yay! It’s December! Oh, wait… I’m a musician.” The weeks leading up to Christmas are busy for us musicians, full of opportunities to share our talents with others at all kinds of events. Performing Christmas music for others and seeing their broad smiles and shining eyes brings us great joy!

“But the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people; for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.’” – Luke 2:10-11

How do we experience this ‘great joy’ today? Listen to what Christ might be saying to you:

I came to earth to show you what Love looks like. I love you! You are precious to Me! Keep that thought new in your heart; don’t ever let it become ‘old news.’ 

I was born in a dirty, smelly stall. I made that place holy by being present in it. There are parts of your life that are messy and smelly; I know this and still I love you. Let that penetrate your mind and sink down into your heart. Spend time with Me and you’ll see that because I live in you, I want to make you holy – more like Me – even with those smelly areas, just like I made the stable holy by being there. 

Let Me soften your heart and fill it with joy. Let Me help you carry that burden. Let Me show you all your goodness – that flicker of light inside you that is your most loving potential. Allow Me to stoke those glowing embers in your heart and you’ll experience My joy and peace like never before.

Share what you have – your possessions, your talents, your time, your very self – and you will see that giving away what you have, what is most precious to you, makes room in your heart for more of My love. Every time you share your gifts with the people around you, you bless them and you become more like Me. Do this, and you will experience joy no matter what circumstances you’re facing.

Christ is with us, now, 2,000 years after the angels announced His birth. Let’s remember that every time we give of ourselves to others, even with music, we become more like Him. 

That, indeed, is something to be joyful about.

“Shout joyfully to the Lord, all the earth… May the sea roar and all it contains, the world and those who dwell in it. May the rivers clap their hands, may the mountains sing together for joy.” – Psalm 98:4, 7-8

“Lord, let me celebrate with joy that You are with me, this Christmas and always.”

Thank you for reading my reflection. © 2023 Gina Bedell     Comments are always welcome! 

Please share this with your friends. Blogspot doesn’t have a ‘subscribe’ feature and so I appreciate your help in sharing my reflections. Thanks!

If you or someone you know would like to receive these writings directly to your inbox, please email me at ginabedell1@gmail.com and I will add you to my ‘BCC’ email list.

You can also find my posts on Facebook!

P.S.

Pray for peace in Ukraine, in the Middle East, and around the world. Donate toward a cause that tugs at your heart. Take care of those around you; take care of our planet. Pray for the families around the globe whose lives have been torn apart by war and natural disasters.

Make Peace Happen

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They say, “If you want something to happen, make it happen.” So often we hope, wish, or pray for something in particular without taking action to make it happen. Sometimes we put all the responsibility on God: “If it’s God’s will...” We sit back and wait for the right time or the right opportunity and then wonder why nothing is happening.

Between the internet, the library, and our favorite book stores, we have many resources available to us if we want to learn how to do just about anything. Learn how to knit, stick to a budget, or play the harmonica? There are books and YouTube videos that will show us how to get started. Strengthen our body or our relationships? There are resources for that, too. If we want to accomplish anything, we have to put in the effort to make it happen.  

The same is true of our spiritual life. Are we using these weeks of Advent to recognize God’s peaceful presence with us and to share His peace with our world, or are we simply scrambling to get things checked off our list? 

Yes, there is much to do. Don’t let the to-do list smother the peace our Lord came to bring. Don’t let the to-do’s wreck the love you’re trying so hard to express through gifts. Sit quietly for a few moments and ask our Lord to guide you. What gifts can you give that are both simple and meaningful? Is there someone who could help you with the shopping, baking, meal prep, or wrapping? 

Don’t wish for peace these last days before Christmas; make peace happen. 

Pray for the person you’re shopping or baking for. Thank God for them and ask Him to pour His blessings upon them in a tangible way.

Slow down and notice the people around you. Greet cashiers and other shoppers with a smile and “Merry Christmas!” Make it a game and keep count of how many return the greeting!

When you do your tasks God’s way – with peace in your heart and love as your goal – you’ll bring joy to both your preparations and your celebrations. 

So, stay mindful of Christ’s presence with you as you shop, bake, and wrap. Share His peace with others and, in the process, you’ll bring joy to yourself and the world around you. Your final days of Advent will be holy and not simply a race to the finish line.

“For my yoke is easy, and my burden light.” –Matthew 11:30

“Lord, help me share Your peace as I prepare for Christmas.”

Thank you for reading my reflection. © 2023 Gina Bedell     Comments are always welcome! 

Please share this with your friends by clicking on one of the icons below. Blogspot doesn’t have a ‘subscribe’ feature and so I appreciate your help in sharing my reflections. Thanks!

If you or someone you know would like to receive these writings directly to your inbox, please email me at ginabedell1@gmail.com and I will add you to my ‘BCC’ email list.

You can also find my posts on Facebook!

P.S.

Pray for peace in Ukraine, in the Middle East, and around the world. Donate toward a cause that tugs at your heart. Take care of those around you; take care of our planet. Pray for the families around the globe whose lives have been torn apart by war and natural disasters.

Loving Holiday Greetings

Happy St. Nicholas Day! Did you know December 6 is a holiday?

Saint Nicholas is how Santa Claus got started. Nicholas (c. 270-343) was orphaned at a young age. Taking Jesus’ words to “sell what you have and give to the poor” to heart, he used his entire inheritance to help the needy. In some European countries, St. Nicholas Day is the day kids get excited about; it’s when their gifts arrive. Christmas is a holy day. So, if someone wishes you a Happy St. Nicholas Day, whether you celebrate it or not, feel free to cheerfully return the greeting!

Years ago, I worked with a woman who I thought might be Jewish because of her name and facial features. When writing out Christmas cards, I found a cute one with snowmen on it (I love snowmen!) and wrote ‘Happy Holidays’ in my greeting. A short time after that she told me they were Christians. I expressed my surprise and told her why I didn’t write ‘Merry Christmas’ in the card. We both laughed and no offense was taken. Hanukkah begins at sundown on Thursday, December 7 – so if someone wishes you a Happy Hanukkah, whether you celebrate it or not, feel free to cheerfully return the greeting!

In October while walking down our street I saw a large family gathered on their front lawn to take pictures, dressed in vibrant colors with turbans and scarfs on their heads and the red ‘bindi’ dot on their foreheads. I asked if they wanted me to take a group picture for them. One gentleman happily handed me his phone. I took a few pictures of their smiling faces and then asked him what the occasion was. He said it was a Hindu holiday where they ask for blessings upon their family. I smiled and said, ‘Have a nice holiday!’ He thanked me and I continued walking. A few blocks down another family was doing the same thing, so again I offered to take their picture. They kept saying, “Thank you!” As I handed the phone back I said, “Have a nice holiday!” and reflexively one of them answered, “You, too!” We all laughed, and then I continued on my walk, happy and grateful for those chance encounters.

Christ was born to show us that God loves all people. For many, Christian or not, Christmas is a special holiday to celebrate with family and friends and express their love with gifts. If you want the world to know about Christ and the true meaning behind Christmas, start by loving all people. Listen to them; find out what’s important to them. Show them through your actions that they’re worthy of your time. Wish them ‘Merry Christmas’ if you celebrate it. If you’re doubtful they celebrate it, wish them ‘Happy Holidays.’ Above all, greet them – and treat them – with love. 

“Here I am, Lord. I come to do Your will.” – Psalm 40:8,9

“Lord, may my actions show Your love to everyone.”

Thank you for reading my reflection. © 2023 Gina Bedell     Comments are always welcome! 

Please share this with your friends by clicking on one of the icons below. Blogspot doesn’t have a ‘subscribe’ feature and so I appreciate your help in sharing my reflections. Thanks!

If you or someone you know would like to receive these writings directly to your inbox, please email me at ginabedell1@gmail.com and I will add you to my ‘BCC’ email list.

You can also find my posts on Facebook!

P.S.

Pray for peace around the world. Donate toward a cause that tugs at your heart. Take care of those around you; take care of our planet. Pray for the families around the globe whose lives have been torn apart by war and natural disasters.