​The world likes to define us. It likes to say, "You need to be taller, thinner, have a different hair cut or color, or be smarter, wear that, drive this, live here". Who are we? Way down deep, that is a question we have probably all asked ourselves at one time or another. It's easy to let that question be answered for us, by others, and that's usually not a good thing.

Growing up my father constantly reminded me, "You can do anything you put your mind to". It instilled in me a great sense of confidence that I am truly grateful for. You can be whatever you want to be. You can do whatever you want to do. It's made a HUGE impact on my life! 

I remember early in my elementary school carer my mom literally hating parent teacher conferences. You parents with a difficult child, you know what I'm talking about. My mom would dread every single one! 

By now you have assembled all the toys. You've managed to keep the kids in bed until a reasonable hour. Presents have been opened. There's wrapping paper, bows and ribbon on the floor, and underneath the tree looks relatively bare. Christmas dinner is smelling delightful and guests are beginning  to gather. Christmas day has arrived and with it, for some, comes a bit of chaos.

I hope you are able to grab a moment or two of peace and quiet some time today. It's a priceless commodity that is hard to come by these days. We seem to be our own worst enemies. We come with our own bit of chaos, robbing ourselves of every chance of peace. Continuously growing to-do lists can take over our lives, especially this time of year. How many nights a week do you lay your head on the pillow only to relive the entire day while making a mental to-do list for the next day? 

Cookie bake off? Check. Kids' presents? Check. Christmas cards? Check. Stocking stuffers? Check. Shopping for Christmas dinner? Check. As Christmas day draws near, the to-do list seems to get longer and longer. Our energy is zapped and the focus is no longer on what's really important. Only a few days out from the big day and we find ourselves in the midst of commitment overload! How do we stay focused on the important stuff like what we're really celebrating and staying connected as a couple?

This Christmas, for the first time in 35 years, my husband and I will find ourselves alone on Christmas morning. The kids are all adults now. If you find yourself in this new season of life, or maybe you're a newlywed couple, this post is for you! ​​"Let's start a new tradition." I said recently to my husband. 

Have you ever thought about the fact that Matthew says the baby born in Bethlehem is to be called Jesus but Isaiah says He is to be called Immanuel? “’She will bear a Son; and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.’ Now all this took place to fulfill what was spoken by the Lord through the prophet: ‘Behold, the virgin shall be with child and shall bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel,’ which translated means, ‘God with us.’” Matthew 1:21-23. This seems like a contradiction at first read. Was that promised One to be called Jesus or Immanuel? Who was right, Matthew or Isaiah? 

In Matthew 1:23, Matthew quotes from the prophet Isaiah. 800 years before Jesus' birth the prophet Isaiah wrote, "Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and shall call His name Immanuel." 

We have entered a season of hope. It's in full swing. THE season of hope! Jesus is our Hope! Even though the world might try to deny it, ignore it and pretend this season is about something else all together, this season is still all about Him! 

I've been thinking over the past few weeks about all the families affected by the wildfires in California, and those who have no home for the holidays. The Camp fire alone is responsible for the loss of more than 6000 homes as well as several fatalities. For these families, this Christmas holiday will be much different than they expected. While others are baking cookies and hang lights from the eaves of their homes, these families are experiencing a loss they didn't see coming.

We have entered a season of hope. It's in full swing. THE season of hope! Jesus is our Hope and even though the world might try to deny it, ignore it, and pretend this season is about something else all together, this season is still all about Him! 

I've been reading recently in 1 Corinthians and thinking about this season of hope that we are in. Even though our culture continues, year after year, to deny what the season is about, the season of hope still remains to be about Jesus, and always will be. In the secular world the focus of the season is not on the birth of our Savior. However, Christmas still remains one of the most likely times of the year for non-Christians to consider matters of faith. 

A kingdom that cannot be shaken, imagine that! That's God's kingdom. That's our kingdom. What a lovely thought. That's the kingdom we should cling to and strive for today!

​Things of this world are so shaken up. The right has become wrong. The wrong has become right. Our communities are rocked almost daily by violence. We can get so wrapped up in all of this, or we can get wrapped up in God's kingdom.

​We are not of this world. This world is not our home. We are of a different world! A different kingdom. A kingdom that cannot be shaken! That's a kingdom to be grateful for.