Charlie Brown Christmas

This is our Christmas tree. A Charlie Brown imitation my daughter bought for us a few years back as a joke. But this is no joke—and it fittingly matches the events of the past year that have kept me ever mindful of God and his abundant grace.

For us (any probably many of you), this has been a year of ups and downs, setbacks and advances, disappointments and blessings. It reminds me of the verses in Ecclesiastes 3, where the Bible says “There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven.” 

Most of all though, I have been thankful for my family and friends who have stood beside us, encouraged us, rejoiced with us, and applauded us. With you in our lives our burdens have been lighter, our joys doubled and our lives richer.  You have blessed us with your smiles and carried our names into the throne room of God.

And for that, I say a humble, Thank you!

I wish for you all the very best.  I pray God’s blessings will be yours and that your Christmas be truly miraculous.

So it seems fitting to leave you with the words (and the blessed hope) spoken by Linus to Charlie Brown as he described the true meaning of Christmas.

And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this [shall be] a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.  (Luke 2: 8-14)

Merry Christmas, my friends! And God Bless!