Twas the night before Christmas…
I paused this morning before all the fun and asked God to help me remember…In the past few years, especially since Mom left, I get a bit emotional around this time of year. (She went “home” on December 30, 2005) My heart is drawn back to that last Christmas Eve with her. I’m filled with memories of her and with love for the family still here. I want to grasp every moment and not let go.
Now, I have a bit of a dark side. I can go inward and get sad really quickly…but what we honor on Christmas Eve is the reason hope flickers in my dark places…maybe this 3 minutes can help you pause and focus on the Hope in your dark place or even pause and focus on the Hope in the midst of your Christmas cheer! I know you’re in a hurry, but if you can…pause…
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Christmas 2005 is a Christmas we will never forget also. We were going through losing Craig’s father to colon cancer at that time. He was diagnosed in October and started treatments. On December 2, his colon ruptured. We spent the entire month of December in the hospital with him. They sent him home under hospice care the day after Christmas. It was a very sad Christmas for all of us. He went home to be with the Lord March 1, 2006.
“Mary did you know” is one of my favorite songs. It is so powerful. The first version that I heard was sung by Kathy Mattea. I love that version. It put tears in my eyes and chills up and down my body. I’ll never forget it! I love that song.
Merry Christmas to you!
Velvet
Velvet, I’m so deeply sorry about Craig’s dad. I assume this time of year is a bit tough for him too. Prayers today for all of you…Merry Christmas
Well worth the moment it took to pause and remember the One who came “to give life and give it more abundantly” ~ Merry Christmas Honey ~
JESUS IS LORD ~
Merry Christmas Daddy, I love you to the moon and back. Enjoy your moments today.
Thank you for your words of encouragement. The holidays are the most stressful time of the year at our home. A lot of “what ifs” and “if only” tend to pop up. We are trying not to go there this year. Keeping our eyes on Jesus.
Jane: Yes, let’s keep our eyes on Jesus today…Merry Christmas
Thank you as I really needed to pause as that has not happened often enough in recent weeks. Like Mary, do we really know this amazing person in Jesus and His impact on us and the world…”Did you Know” really is hitting me this morning. Thank you for beginning my Christmas with the right mindset! I may play this at our family gathering tonight!
Merry Christmas and thank you for sharing of your gifts with us!
Tom…it’s the moments I stop that I realize there’s so much I don’t know about Him…how humbling to believe that this Jesus, God’s son knows my name….
As I sit and reflect on this first Christmas Eve without my husband of almost thirty-three years….I am reminded of all that I have to be thankful for. I know that I am not alone. As I make preparations for my family to come tonight to be with me, I am so very thankful that I still have my parents that love me and my brother and sisters that care for me so lovingly. My beautiful daughter that is like a “rock” for me to lean on and my son-in-law that I can always count on. My two precious grandaughters that I adore and make life so fun & interesting and help to keep me “young”! Friends that are always near & seem to know when I need to hear from them or when I need to be alone. Most of all….my Heavenly Father that guides my every step of the way….will never leave me….and loves me even when I fail Him! Thank You Lord!
Thank you Robin…for sharing this….love this song and when I see videos and movies of Jesus actually being a child–not a baby or an adult…it really makes me think of how much Mary must have loved him and their relationship….how heartbreaking for her….I always feel it is the missing part of Jesus’ life because the Bible doesn’t talk about it very much…How he must have felt being a child….it makes me pause—I am so very thankful for Jesus who brings hope to my dark places and is always there to help me walk through them….
Here I was feeling down because my 20 year old son is leaving for a semester in Mexico. I was thinking about how much I am going to miss him at the same time knowing it’s good for him, this is nothing compared to what Mary went through. Wow, great video. Thanks.
Thank you for the remembrance. God bless you and Merry Christmas.
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Robin this is my favorite Christmas song and I don’t have copy of it….YET! Thank you so much for GIVING this gift to us this Christmas Eve morning. It was just what I needed! YOU are a blessing in MY life. Have a wonderful, blessed Christmas, my friend. XO, Pinky PS, how did you find this video? I would love to pass it on….
You’ve just set the perfect tone for Christmas! Growing up I spent many Christmases past with a sick Grandpa in the hospital. I’ve caroled up and down the halls of the ICU many times. Many memories come flooding back as I read through your comments.
There is a hum of snowblowers in the background as I write this and the hustle of last minute gift wrapping off to the side and yet what I am truly focusing on is clearing a path for church this afternoon. Thank you for the most perfect 3 minutes! Merry Christmas to you and yours! God Bless you!
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Merry Christmas!
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In December of 2005, we lost our FIL/Grandpa. So I know how you are feeling when December rolls around. Thank you for posting this beautiful video, “Mary Do You Know” It does speak to us and give us that hope that we desperately need, not just at Christmas but the every day throughout the year.
Have a blessed Christmas!
We Wish You a Merry??•*¨*•.¸¸? ¸¸.•*¨*•?? Christmas??•*¨*•.¸¸? ¸¸.•*¨*•??We Wish You a Merry ??•*¨*•.¸¸? ¸¸.•*¨*•??Christmas ? ? ?We Wish You A Merry ??•*¨*•.¸¸? ¸¸.•*¨*•??Christmas ??•*¨*•.¸¸? ¸¸.•*¨*•?? And a Happy New Year!!! Merry Christmas to everyone……..
Merry Christmas!
Sandie
Thanks! I’m going to use this in Sunday school on Sunday. So many parts touched me–I love when He comes up out of the water.
I’ve seen it before but we can’t ever see it too many times. As powerful as the first time I saw it.
Thanks, Rob. You always know just what I need. Merry, Merry Christmas
Hope…there you go typing that word for me to see! Everywhere I go I see that word! It is a blessing to me as I struggle through a separation with my husband. I know it’s no accident when I see that word. God is speaking “HOPE” over me. Thank you for encouraging me with your post.
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I am sorry about the death of your mom in 2005 – I lost mine in 2003. There is nobody like our moms – right? – so many times I want to call her and ask her a question.
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Sandie