Merry Christmas 2021

Friends,

I wrote this a couple of years ago, and this Christmas I had to share it. This is the most important message that I can share. I did update it a little bit, but the message is the same.

Saturday is Christmas, and depending on your circumstance, the holidays may be hard.

The world tells us the holidays are for family, and yet sometimes it’s our families who are toxic to us. So, to put things in perspective we have to look deeper than what the world tells us. Christmas didn’t come about to give gifts or sit on Santa’s lap or even spend time with family.

The whole meaning of Christmas is that Jesus was born as a baby in manger one night 2000 years ago in Bethlehem. He came as a human in the flesh.

He has walked and lived on this earth with all the evil it entails. Yet, He is also God. He saw all the evil and our sin and chose to give His life for ours.

I would not be able to make it on this journey in recovery without depending on Him. It’s His strength that gets me through.

There have been times along the way I didn’t call on Him for help and when I tried it on my own I came close to death. That is not what He wants for us. He has plans for our lives that we cannot begin to imagine.

So, on this Christmas, if you don’t know Jesus, what better time to turn to Him than on His birthday? All you have to do is reach out and He is there.

He never leaves us once we call on Him. I know from our experiences we struggle to trust and understand love, but He can build those in us. I am experiencing it right now.

I don’t believe it’s one fancy prayer that leads You to Jesus, just honest, heartfelt confession that you are a sinner and reaching out to Him. The Bible says:

“If you declare with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.

For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved. ‘Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.’” Romans 10:9-13

None of us are perfect. We all have sinned and will continue to, but Jesus came to die for those sins so we can spend eternity with Him in heaven.

What do you say today? Reach out to Jesus and begin a relationship with Him if you don’t already have one. He’s waiting with arms open wide to welcome you and He longs to help you on this journey. If you already know Him cherish what He’s done so far in your life.

As we celebrate Christmas let’s remember the real reason we celebrate is Jesus, and when you start to feel down and depressed about this time of year, remember if you know Him He is always with you.

It’s only because I know Jesus loved me enough to save me so that I can have the most amazing love relationship with God that I can have hope. It’s in this relationship that helps me to have a joy beyond measure during a time of year that is most difficult during my time on earth. I pray you find that joy too.

Possibly play this song, and as Psalm 5:11 says: “But let all who take refuge in you rejoice; let them sing joyful praises forever. Spread your protection over them, that all who love your name and may be filled with joy.“

Joy to the World –(Unspeakable Joy) – Chris Tomlin

Wishing you a Merry Christmas!

If you made a decision to follow Jesus today please let me know! I’d love to rejoice with you! Email me at: Susan.M.Clabaugh@gmail.com

Updated and rewritten © 2021 Susan M. Clabaugh. All Rights Reserved.