This Christmas season is proving very different! How do you celebrate Christmas as a missionary? Well there have been several adjustments for our family this year...
1. limited space has cut back decorating
2. limited space means no holiday parties to host
3. leaving a few days after Christmas means lots of packing, no room for presents.
4. missionary salary is limited so our list of who we buy for has been cut
5. how do you buy a present for your kids and figure out how to pack it to take with us
How is it better?
1. Jesus!!!! Our eyes are focused on Him, not the activities we used to be busy doing.
2. More time to visit family and friends because we aren't running around decorating and shopping
3. Jesus left His home to be with us. We are leaving our home to be with Dominicans.
4. The music and food...we are living it up since I have more time on my hands to cook and bake!
5. The joy and wonder in our kids faces as we enjoy time together- watching movies, looking at Christmas lights, and sharing Christ's love with folks around us- priceless!
As you prepare for all the activity this Christmas Season, whatever your traditions, that it will be FULL of JESUS!
Merry Christmas!
Brian, Jen, Jamie, and Elliiott
Luke 18:18-30
ReplyDelete18 And a certain ruler questioned Him, saying, "Good Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?" 19 And Jesus said to him, "Why do you call Me good? No one is good except God alone. 20 "You know the commandments, 'Do not commit adultery, Do not murder, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Honor your father and mother.'" 21 And he said, "All these things I have kept from my youth." 22 And when Jesus heard this, He said to him, "One thing you still lack; sell all that you possess, and distribute it to the poor, and you shall have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me." 23 But when he had heard these things, he became very sad; for he was extremely rich. 24 And Jesus looked at him and said, "How hard it is for those who are wealthy to enter the kingdom of God! 25 "For it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God." 26 And they who heard it said, "Then who can be saved?" 27 But He said, "The things impossible with men are possible with God." 28 And Peter said, "Behold, we have left our own homes, and followed You." 29 And He said to them, "Truly I say to you, there is no one who has left house or wife or brothers or parents or children, for the sake of the kingdom of God, 30 who shall not receive many times as much at this time and in the age to come, eternal life. "
NAS
Heinrich Family,
As is read this section of scripture this morning I couldn't help but think of you. Notice the absolute of vs. 29-30! You guys have a treasure beyond comprehension. I will keep you in my prayers.