Merry Christmas

In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. (This was the first census that took place while Quirnius was governor of Syria.) And everyone went to his own town to register. So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them. "Do not be afraid, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger."

Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,

"Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests."

When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let's go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about."

So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.

~Luke 2:1-20

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I wanted to wish everyone a wonderful and blessed Christmas. One year ago, I remember attending the Christmas eve service with my family. Everything felt so surreal. I could see the joy of the season, but I couldn't feel it. I knew in my heart that I was blessed, but I couldn't feel it. As we sang Christmas carols through the night, tears were streaming down my face. My smile was forced; my greetings were awkward.

This year, I could feel the joy of the season. This year, I could feel that I am blessed. My smile was real; my greetings were genuine. It has been an amazing year. To look back and see how far I have come emotionally and spiritually is really incredible. It feels as though Joe has been my own personal Guardian Angel guiding me towards peace and happiness.

I have been blessed with wonderful people in my life. Thank you for the prayers, the cards, the texts, the emails, the hugs, the smiles, the stories, the shoulders, the ears, the pep talks, the encouragement, the love, the food, the phone calls, the visits, the photos, the craziness, and goofiness, and silliness... what an amazing year it has been. Thank you.