We were a little on the edge after the Bobcat attack. So on the night before Christmas when not a creature was suppose to be stirring, I bolted out of bed, using that uncanny mom instinct, that reacts to strange noises. I was up and out the door before I totally woke up, my husband and son close on my heels. Surprisingly not a bobcat, not Santa Claus, but a house cat came scrambling out of the tree we were RIGHT under sending us all running for the house.  We sure can move fast when we perceive danger! Panting, adrenaline flowing we realized it was just Rambo from down the street interacting with his neighbor fluffy(who was tragically named, but is phat with manly charisma).  Cats sure can make eery sounds in the night when they are having a stand off! After all the excitement was over, it was then that we noticed the full moon shining brightly down on the world and we paused outside to reflect on all that Christmas means. While I don’t have the words to describe the meaning of that silent moonlight night long ago, I know where to find them.

 ^{Book of Luke 2:8} 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 that will cause great joy for all the people.  Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, 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 heaven, and on earth peace to those 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.

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”

John 3:16

I remember before I was a believer in Christ, I told my friends at a church I had started going to; “This news about Jesus sounds beautiful and I can see that you get a lot out of it. Seeing all that it means to you, I REALLY want to believe, but I don’t. It can’t be that easy. It can’t be that simple. I deserve to be punished for the sins I have committed, not some prophet that died long ago. How can that even happen?”

I will never forget what they said to me in reply to my query. They didn’t try to explain it, they didn’t try to make sense out of it. They said,

“God is big enough for these questions. Go home and pray tonight to God and ask him to explain all of this to you. Ask Him to reveal Himself to you and the truth about His Son.”

I took their advice. On my knees that night I felt the love of God and was introduced to my Savoir. My life has never been the same since. He is my refuge. He is my strength. He LOVES me. I am forgiven. I am NEVER alone. His spirit lives within me and makes me WAY more than I could ever be by myself! I have found JOY in Christ!

I wish this for everyone. So just like my friends advised me, on this night, if you don’t know the love of God or the forgiveness of a Savoir. On your knees, ask. Your life will forever be changed! If you encounter God tonight, please email me personally. Not only will a heavenly host full of angels be celebrating in heaven, but my family will revel in the celebration of a life, your life, changed forever! Having been there, I can guide you on the next step of your journey to everlasting peace and JOY!

From my homestead to yours MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Dash & Family