Thankful Thursday

tomorrow is Christmas!

I wonder if I will be able to sleep tonight

I remember my son's excitement when he was young

he always told us Christmas morning that he hadn't slept at all

I wonder if baby Jesus slept in Mary's womb the night before His birth  

or was He so keyed up with excitement about His mission that He was kicking and squirming

I am so thankful Jesus came

thankful for that name

the angel told Joseph to name Him Jesus because He would save His people from their sins

I'm thankful for the forgiveness available to me through Jesus

thankful for the peace that comes through belief in His name

I still remember the turmoil that filled my life as a younger man, and the peace that came when I finally acknowledged my need of God's forgiveness

although I still have my moments, I'm thankful I don't live in a constant state of unrest

I'm thankful Jesus truly is the Prince of Peace

I'm thankful He is my Wonderful Counselor

thankful He is the Word become flesh

I've been reading in Ps. 119 for the past week or so

God's word in one form or another is mentioned in every verse of this psalm

It has been enlightening to spend extended time meditating on these verses

and the author of Hebrews reminds us that after years of speaking to His people through prophets, God sent His Son to communicate His message to us

it's a message of hope, a message of joy, a message of reconciliation 

I'm thankful for God's word, thankful He still speaks to me through His word

I'm thankful for family

thankful for time to gather as family and build on the memories

thankful for technology that allows me to connect with those family members who are farther from home

thankful for the love that we share

thankful for grandchildren

thankful for the energy of little ones

I'm thankful for music

thankful I can use music as an avenue to express my thanks to the Father

it's a stormy night outside

I'm thankful for shelter, for a roof over my head and a furnace that provides heat

I'm thankful for friends who help to warm my spirit

thankful for the opportunities I've been given this year to serve my friends

I'm thankful God is my heavenly Father and one day will welcome me into His home

May you all experience a Christmas blessed with joy and peace!