If you are like me, you have not yet caught your breath from last week. Our family was away for a few days, then helped with beef butchering on Saturday. Yesterday was a wonderful day of rest but today I worked up some of the beef into some freezer meals so I still am faced with lots of stacks of laundry.
But I'll get caught up eventually and I'm very excited about beginning December. Eight weeks ago when I started this series, I thought I'd be totally prepared for Christmas by now. I'm not. No where close. Between ordinary busy life, unexpected events, and interruptions of all sorts most of my plans that looked attainable on Monday fell apart by Friday.
But if I had not planned at all - I would not have anything done. And it is a good reminder that in all my preparation I should say "As the Lord wills."
Week Eight - Mailing Week - December 1-6
This week my goal is to finish addressing and mailing Christmas cards as well as a few packages. This should give them plenty of time to arrive on time.
I also plan to finish my holiday baking. The children and I had such fun on a baking day early last week and we are looking forward to another one.
My last task this week is to reserve some Christmas books at the library. We have a few favorites we like to read each year.
Preparation in Scripture
I was reading Ephesians 6 last week and noticed a mention of "Preparation."
This passage of Scripture is talking about preparing for warfare against the enemy of our souls. I like how the Amplified Bible interprets verse 15.
"Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;
And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;" (Ephesians 6: 13-15)
"And having shod your feet in preparation [to face the enemy with the firm-footed stability, the promptness, and the readiness produced by the good news] of the Gospel of peace." (Ephesians 6:15 Amplified)
Speaking of feet reminds me of Isaiah 52:7.
"How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace; that bringeth good tidings of good, that publisheth salvation; that saith unto Zion, Thy God reigneth!" (Isaiah 52:7)
Our God reigns! That is news worth sharing.
Christmas is to be a time of giving. But too often our giving is to those who already have all they need. Or giving to those who will give back to us. Or giving because we feel under obligation.
Why not look for ways to give the best gift - the gospel of peace through Jesus Christ.
"For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace." (Isaiah 9:6)
If we are prepared to share this gift - then we are truly prepared for Christmas.
This is the last week on the Christmas Countdown. From now on you are on your own to finish your preparation and focus on service, worship, and celebration for the remainder of December.
Thanks for joining me the last eight weeks!
I'd love to hear how you plan to share the gospel of peace this month.
I've enjoyed this series very much! I loved what you said, "if we are prepared to share the gospel of peace, then we are truly prepared for Christmas' ! I work with mentally and emotionally ill people. Their lives tend to be frought with drama and chaos. I am always encouraging them to 'pray about it" and to 'enjoy their peace" They often find my advice curious! But, it is awesome and wonderful to really see the Lord bringing them into a place of peace, and to gratefully enjoy it, Bless you, and Merry Christmas!
ReplyDeleteGina- you amaze me with all you get done-Way to go!
ReplyDeleteWe plan to go to the mall and get into purposeful conversations with people. It's a great time of the year, young people especially are hanging out and pretty receptive to the Gospel.