I was Born on the Naughty List

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The Christmas season is my ABSOLUTE favorite time of the year. I get so excited when I am out in public, and I hear a real Christmas song like "Hark the Herald Angels Sing" playing in the speakers or when a stranger asks me, are you ready for Christmas? There is an openness to give freely and share about family traditions, more than any other time. And while it is the end of the year, it is also a time to reflect on what has past and what may lie ahead. For some, this may be bitter. For others, it is sweet. For many, it is both.

As we near the end of December, these lyrics remain in my head: "He's making a list and checking it twice. He's gonna find out who's naughty or nice. Santa Claus is Coming to Town." If I believed in Santa, I might wonder: what is on his list; why does he need to check it twice; how will he find out if I have been naughty or nice; when is he coming; which town will he arrive to; and what will he do, when he comes? You know the tale: those who have been "nice" get the gift they want for Christmas, while those who have been "naughty" get coals in their stocking. 

The more I thought about this song, the more I thought about the meaning of Christmas. If we replace the lyrics from Santa Claus to Jesus Christ, the words can actually make us think. Jesus sees me when I am sleeping. He knows when I am awake. He defines what is bad and good. And He is coming to restore and judge. The reality is: we are all born on the naughty list, and there is nothing we can do to change that. But praise be to God for sending His Son-some 2,000 years ago-to put us on His “nice” list! Matthew 1:21 says, "She [Mary] will give birth to a son, and you [Joseph] are to give him the name Jesus, because He will save his people from their sins." My prayer is that the birth of our Savior would continue to be majestic, awe inspiring and humbling, as we consider it, compelling us to proclaim this good news to all people, especially those who are still sinners, in need of a savior. 

Praise Reports:

  1. Husband and about 50 men from our church went on a men's retreat in Mammoth (October) - one conviction was to deepen relationships;
  2. Husband and I celebrated our 9.5 wedding anniversary praising the Lord and attended a wedding of two beloved brethren (November); 
  3. I had the blessing of being able to teach-lead at my women's bible study and then attend a women's fall event and learned about contentment and emotions (November); 
  4. Going back to work has been helpful to build relationships and get to know coworkers personally; and 
  5. Jacob graduated from CBU, and we were able to celebrate with dear family and friends (December)!

Prayer Requests (the Lord's will in all):

  1. To repent from & confess sin; 
  2. Discipline & understanding, as Husband & I begin training to serve as biblical counselors with our church;
  3. Strengthened relationships;
  4. Witnessing and discipleship opportunities; and
  5. To be sensitive & submissive to the Lord and our elders, as we desire to grow and be faithful, where God has/leads us.
At Sevilla in Costa Mesa during our 9.5 Wedding Anniversary :)

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