I stood at the window, watching snow piling up in our front yard as a neighbor’s blinking Christmas lights invaded our dark living room. I fought back tears and crawled under a blanket on my sofa next to my snoring puppy. Lifting a steaming latte to my lips, I inhaled the vanilla and caramel sweetness and then exhaled a prayer. What do we have to celebrate this year, Lord?
After spending a year separated from our sons by an unexpected cross-country move, another setback in my healing journey, and the increasing relational tension with my husband, my usually jolly Christmas spirit had been squelched by a mishmash of good memories and grief.
I glanced at the boxes of ornaments my husband had piled next to the undecorated tree.
Sniffing back an overdose of self-pity, I wiped away my tears as my husband walked into the room with yet another plastic tub filled with holiday decorations. “You’ll never guess what I found,” he said. “This will cheer you up. I thought we’d lost this box.”
He plugged in the strand of lights wound around the bare branches and unwrapped a red, heart-shaped ornament with Jesus written in cursive across the front of its shiny belly.
“Do you remember when you bought this?” he asked as he placed the ornament on a crooked branch.
I nodded, set my drink on the table, and joined him. I’d purchased the heart ornament after surrendering my life to Jesus almost two decades before on December 14, 2001.
Sweet memories gushed over me as we listened to Christmas music and hung homemade ornaments our now-adult sons had created over the years. We unpacked the ornaments we’d collected as souvenirs to commemorate our travels. We admired others given to us by friends: some we still embrace like family, some we haven’t seen in years, some who are no longer a part of our lives, and some who’ve gone to be with Jesus.
As we placed the priceless treasures onto our tree, each one triggered a trip down memory lane. We remembered, laughed, and teared up.
Like God’s infallible Word and unchanging character, the collection of ornaments on our tree affirmed God’s proven faithfulness, sovereign goodness, limitless love, and endless grace over the years.
At the bottom of the last tote, I noticed a small nail tied to a yellow slip of paper by a fading strand of red curling ribbon. The paper held a poem by an anonymous writer declaring Christ as Savior and pointing to the nail as evidence of His intimate love for each of His beloved children. The last two lines of the poem read:
I know it was His love for us that held Him to that tree.
But when I see this simple nail, I know He died for me.
Jesus died for me.
On this side of eternity, we’ll always experience grief and joy. Sickness will attack us. Finances will burden us. Strife will divide us. We’ll grapple with loneliness, discouragement, anxiety, and fear. But God’s beloved children are never alone, never without hope.
“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).
Jesus came and is coming again. Now that’s something to celebrate!
Lord, thank You for affirming You are with us always and always worth celebrating every day of every year—not just on Christmas. Please help us acknowledge the wonderful ways You’re working in and through our lives every day. Help us accept the tears and the cheers in life as priceless opportunities to experience Your constant presence, rely on Your limitless power, and surrender to Your immeasurable and trustworthy grace. Please, Lord, help us look beyond ourselves and our current circumstances so we can love You and others with joy as we celebrate Your sacrificial love.
What faith-building mishmash has God used to help you celebrate Him this Christmas?
—Written by Xochitl Dixon. Used by permission of the author.
32 Responses
God has a way that is so sweet. He knows just how to reach us in our time of need. Life never gets so dark that His light cannot shine through. May you and your husband and family continue to be wonderfully blessed.
Carolyn, He truly does know how to reach us in our time of need. So grateful for His care and love over our lives.
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Eryn Co-Host to God Hears Her Podcast
Beautiful words of encouragement, I praise and worship My savior on a daily basis. Through many tears , hurt and pain. But if I had 10,000000 tongues I couldn’t thank him enough for all he’s done for me. Holidays are always depressing to me. Especially Christmas. It’s hard when your alone and lonely. A single parent trying to see my way through
Yvette,
Thank you for these words and your vulnerability. So beautiful that you’ve been able to praise our Father through the hurt, pain, and loneliness. GHH Community is here for you in those moments as well.
Grateful for you!!
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Eryn Co-Host to God Hears Her Podcast
My family & I are celebrating Him everyday through sickness, trials & tribulations we continue to seek Him & praise His holy name.
Amen amen. Praise Him in the trials and celebrations!
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Eryn Co-Host to God Hears Her Podcast
Awesome word. Awesome reminder of Christ love, He died so that we could live. Looking forward to forever life with Jesus!
Remember that He loves you know matter what we face in life’s journey. He loves you ❤️.
Yes! So beautiful. He does love us no matter what we face in life!!
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Eryn Co-Host to God Hears Her Podcast
Thanks for the words of blessing! They really hit the right spot. Bless you for all you do!
So grateful for you Judy!
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Eryn Co-Host to God Hears Her Podcast
Thank for your encouragement. God bless
So grateful for you Penelope!
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Eryn
Co-Host to God Hears Her Podcast
Thank you for sharing this wonderful testament to Jesus’ faithfulness. I have been extremely blessed this year and have used the quarantine time to work on my relationship with My Lord and My Self. I pray your prayer for surrendering to the Lords Will and Grace. God Bless!
Thank you Anjanette, so grateful for your words.
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Eryn
Co-Host to God Hears Her Podcast
I have joined you in the past and will join again. Thanks for contacting me.
So grateful for you Maxine!
Please join our women’s prayer group and let us know how we can cover you in prayer. https://www.facebook.com/groups/1065571583891975
Eryn
Co-Host to God Hears Her Podcast
This was so beautiful…. and can relate to it "perfectly", only God knew. "God-wink" : )
Thank you Lord, we are not alone, from others, also going thru in our plights, nor from a loving heavenly Father. Thank you so much, God hears.
Dara! We are so grateful for your words. We are not alone. Thankful you are in the GHH Community!
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Eryn
Co-Host to God Hears Her Podcast
Sometimes God speaks to us in memories
Amen. Yes, He absolutely does!
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Eryn
Co-Host to God Hears Her Podcast
The Covid-19 Pandemic is the faith-building mishmash that God used to help me celebrate him this Christmas! 🙏🙏🙏
Yes! Learning trials build endurance and a mature faith. Praying with you to celebrate our good good Father!
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Eryn
Co-Host to God Hears Her Podcast
Wonderful 👏 writing and lyrics for such a precious lifelong occurrence. Love, Hope, Peace, and Forgiveness. God is our guidance and protection. We Love your kindness and love.
So grateful for your words!! Thankful you are part of the GHH community!
Please join our women’s prayer group and let us know how we can cover you in prayer. https://www.facebook.com/groups/1065571583891975
Eryn
Co-Host to God Hears Her Podcast
God is so good and he never leaves us to ponder “ what” we are celebrating. Thank you for sharing the story
Janet, yes. These are such good words… He never confuses and never leaves us in a space of confusion! Thankful you are in the GHH community!
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Eryn
Co-Host to God Hears Her Podcast
What a Wonderful read. I thoroughly enjoyed. I can totally relate. Jesus is the Reason for the Season. Jesus offers US HOPE and WE NEED HIM in OUR LIVES ALWAYS. THANKS for the Encouragement.
Gail, these are such beautiful words. I am so grateful for them and your reminder to us all!
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Eryn
Co-Host to God Hears Her Podcast
I read this and cried asking God to help me find that faith-building mishmash that God will use to help me celebrate Him this Season. I am in desperate need of prayers. Decisions must be made in regard to my husband, who has advanced Parkinson’s, health care. With no family help, I am making decisions with God. Your prayers would be a life line for me.
Linda, I am reminded of James 1 in your words. Trials create endurance and hope and from our experiences a mature faith is developed. Mature faith in the mishmash! I pray over your mind and body. That you would feel the presence of the Lord with you in times of loneliness as you make decisions and press into your circumstances more. We are thankful you are part of the GHH community.
Please join our women’s prayer group and let us know how we can cover you in prayer. https://www.facebook.com/groups/1065571583891975
Eryn
Co-Host to God Hears Her Podcast
what wonderful wordsto celebrate all the Lord has done for us AMEN
Grateful for you Carolyn!
Please join our women’s prayer group and let us know how we can cover you in prayer. https://www.facebook.com/groups/1065571583891975
Eryn Co-Host to God Hears Her Podcast