Some of our past Christmas photos aren’t so hot. LOL! Old
cameras or film left in a drawer for too long make for foggy results. Sometimes
the kiddos wouldn’t stay still so we’ve got phantoms running through the
picture! We were celebrating and having the best time, but you wouldn’t know it
by the photos. Then there are the shots
with heads cut off, the missing person picture shots and the not so flattering
results! The photos may look chaotic even when the actual event was serene and
wonderful! The view from our eyes may be
beautiful, colorful and rich, but cameras don’t always return what we see with
our hearts. Yet photos will continue to be taken so that we can somehow capture
the few great moments of love and laughter! These photos serve as memories of
the celebration we had!
Our hearts take snapshots as well. Most of the time our
memory shots are wonderful! Parents laughing with each other, husbands sneaking
bites of specialty cooked delicacies, children sneaking candy canes off the
tree. Looking through our hearts’ picture album may bring more precious memories
of cousins and Santa and presents and more.
For some though, the images aren’t so great. This year may
be a time of mourning for recent loss or a time of sorrow because of current
discord. Things don’t always go well in families. People don’t always behave
and not everyone is sweetness and light. Troubles abound, even at Christmas,
even during celebrations. Spouses walk away, loved ones go to heaven and
children don’t act like “their raising”!
Our photos may indeed reveal that our lives can be a lot
like a shabby chic Christmas! Lots of things going on, lots of different
textures and styles all jumbled together. If you only look through the lens of the
camera you may find more shabby than chic.
All things in my life aren’t like I want them and I bet it’s
the same with you. I’m going to
celebrate anyway! I’ll celebrate the joys because they are gifts from God. I’ll
celebrate in spite of the hurts because they are stepping stones to stronger
faith! I’ll celebrate regardless of the disappointments because they are the
path to His appointments! I’ll celebrate even in my loss because I count it all
loss to gain Christ!
Oh beloved, do you hear the sounds of rejoicing in the
background of your life? It’s Father God and His Heavenly Host rejoicing and
celebrating! They are rejoicing in you! They are celebrating your life! For you
are an overcomer, you are victorious, you are the joy of Almighty God’s heart!
Celebrate with the Lord Himself for He says to you this morning “Look up! It’s
time to rejoice in Me. I AM your celebration, I AM your cause for singing, I AM
your reason for living. I have loved you
forever and My plans for you are to celebrate all that you are In Me. Look at My Photo Album, the Word of God, and
see how I feel about you, see how I plan good things for you and see how I can
take all the smiles, the tears, the laughter and the mourning and put it
altogether for your good and My Glory! I AM your answer to today’s problems, I
AM your reason for bright hopes for tomorrow. Only Trust Me – for I AM your God
and there is none like Me. I Love you and I AM on your side always, from
Christmas to the end of the age.
Psalm 135:3 Praise
the LORD, for the LORD is good; celebrate His lovely name with music.
1 Chronicles 16:10 Exult in His holy name; rejoice, you who
worship the LORD.
Psalm 33:21 In him
our hearts rejoice, for we trust in His holy name.
Psalm 68:3 But let
the godly rejoice. Let them be glad in God’s presence. Let them be filled with
joy.
Isaiah 29:19 The
humble will be filled with fresh joy from the LORD. The poor will rejoice in
the Holy One of Israel.
Habakkuk 3:18 yet I
will rejoice in the LORD! I will be joyful in the God of my salvation!
Romans 12:12 Rejoice
in our confident hope. Be patient in trouble, and keep on praying.
Philippians 4:4 Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it
again—rejoice!
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