We saw a little snow down here in Alabama & that is always a thrill to us! This week-end was especially good down here in Dixie, because THE TIDE ROLLED right into the #1 spot in the SEC...ROLL TIDE!!! I want to say, "Good game, GATORS, and Tebow, hold your head high, my friend, you are a very gifted young man & I feel sure God has great things for you! God bless you, Tebow, for being a bold enough Christian to paint SCRIPTURE on your face, knowing that SO MANY people are going to see that, who may just be tuning in to watch some football.....you never know who may have found Jesus, as well!! PRAISE GOD!! You & the rest of the Gators played a great game & may God bless all of you, as well as our BAMA BOYS!! Roll Tide, Merry Christmas & most of all, GOD BLESS EVERYONE!!"
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xg81vGuZx7k
Paige Caswell Swafford
Sunday, December 6, 2009
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
Jesus IS The Reason For the Season...REALLY!!
"Jesus is the reason for the season!" This is such a popular phrase to say on Christmas Cards, Christmas Ornaments, tee-shirts, sweat shirts, etc...But, do we REALLY believe that? I mean, REALLY?? As human beings, We ALL have a story to tell...we ALL have something negative in our lives to focus on...we ALL have problems. This time of year can make our problems even more intense for many reasons. We all have expectations of "what the Christmas Season should include." We have these expectations based on many things...family traditions, memories of past Christmases, what we have "always" done at Christmas....and what society tells us that Christmas should be like. You know....STUFF!! A warm home, plenty of good food to eat, parties to attend, a Christmas Tree with plenty of gifts wrapped under it, stockings hung up for "extra little gifts....stocking stuffers," and most importantly, togetherness with family & friends. But, what happens if you don't have all of that? What if you used to have all of that, but for whatever reason, you lost it? What about people who have NEVER had the things on that list of necessities for a good Christmas?
This is a reality for many people. Let me say one thing first, this post is not meant to bring anybody down or to conjure up pity for me or anybody else, so please keep that in mind. This post is meant to be a REALITY CHECK...a question for all to ponder..."Do we REALLY believe that JESUS IS THE REASON FOR THIS SEASON?" I am at a point in my life where it is an opportunity to honestly decide if I truly believe that popular saying. See, I had everything on that "list." I have 40 years worth of wonderful Christmas memories! Honestly, the most intense memories revolve around my beautiful daughter, Hannah. Seeing life through your child's eyes is something so powerful, so emotional, that it just cannot be explained in words. I could write a book on the wonderful memories of Hannah & Christmas. But, for this first post, Jesus is my main focus.
Two years ago, I lost my husband & daughter to divorce. I have not seen my now 12 & 1/2 year old daughter since last Christmas (almost a whole year!!) At this point, I do not know if I will see her this Christmas. But see, out of the emotional agony of missing Hannah, especially now, during the Christmas Season, when everywhere you look, everywhere you go, it seems that Christmas is all about children....toys....going to see Santa at the mall (something we ALWAYS made a very big deal about....bought Hannah a new outfit specifically for her Santa picture, took our camera, the camcorder AND purchased the biggest package of pictures, including key chains & a snow globe!) Then we would eat at the food court & look at her Santa picture over & over.) Good times...
Yes, thinking back on these priceless memories brings tears to my eyes. I am human....I am a mom....and I miss my little girl. BUT, when you don't have these "earthly things" to focus on at Christmas, guess what you do have? The REAL reason for this season...JESUS. The Most Precious Gift any of us could ever receive!! And you won't find This Gift at Wal-Mart.....or at the mall......or wrapped under your Christmas Tree......or in your stocking......or even in the joy you feel when you see your own children walk into the den on Christmas Morning with wide open eyes & mouth as they see what all Santa Claus brought them while they slept. No, This Precious Gift from God is way bigger than all of that. He gave us His Son.
No matter what you are going through this Christmas, take a little time to really focus on the gift of JESUS. He REALLY is the reason for the season. Earthly gifts & joys don't last. People may come & go in our lives, we may lose our jobs, traditions may change......BUT, not only is Jesus really the reason for the season, HE WILL ALWAYS BE THE ONE CONSTANT IN YOUR LIFE!!! No matter what happens, I WILL have a Very Merry Christmas this year, because I am choosing to focus on JESUS as my never ending joy in Christmas!! I love You, Jesus!! Thank You for being My True Christmas Joy!! Take a moment & watch this beautiful, powerful display of images, set to ,"O, Holy Night," sung by Celine Dion. (You may have to let it run through once to upload it fully, but it really is worth it! Very relaxing & beautiful pictures!)
www.youtube.com/watch?v=0AgOMsXLCtw
Paige Caswell Swafford
This is a reality for many people. Let me say one thing first, this post is not meant to bring anybody down or to conjure up pity for me or anybody else, so please keep that in mind. This post is meant to be a REALITY CHECK...a question for all to ponder..."Do we REALLY believe that JESUS IS THE REASON FOR THIS SEASON?" I am at a point in my life where it is an opportunity to honestly decide if I truly believe that popular saying. See, I had everything on that "list." I have 40 years worth of wonderful Christmas memories! Honestly, the most intense memories revolve around my beautiful daughter, Hannah. Seeing life through your child's eyes is something so powerful, so emotional, that it just cannot be explained in words. I could write a book on the wonderful memories of Hannah & Christmas. But, for this first post, Jesus is my main focus.
Two years ago, I lost my husband & daughter to divorce. I have not seen my now 12 & 1/2 year old daughter since last Christmas (almost a whole year!!) At this point, I do not know if I will see her this Christmas. But see, out of the emotional agony of missing Hannah, especially now, during the Christmas Season, when everywhere you look, everywhere you go, it seems that Christmas is all about children....toys....going to see Santa at the mall (something we ALWAYS made a very big deal about....bought Hannah a new outfit specifically for her Santa picture, took our camera, the camcorder AND purchased the biggest package of pictures, including key chains & a snow globe!) Then we would eat at the food court & look at her Santa picture over & over.) Good times...
Yes, thinking back on these priceless memories brings tears to my eyes. I am human....I am a mom....and I miss my little girl. BUT, when you don't have these "earthly things" to focus on at Christmas, guess what you do have? The REAL reason for this season...JESUS. The Most Precious Gift any of us could ever receive!! And you won't find This Gift at Wal-Mart.....or at the mall......or wrapped under your Christmas Tree......or in your stocking......or even in the joy you feel when you see your own children walk into the den on Christmas Morning with wide open eyes & mouth as they see what all Santa Claus brought them while they slept. No, This Precious Gift from God is way bigger than all of that. He gave us His Son.
No matter what you are going through this Christmas, take a little time to really focus on the gift of JESUS. He REALLY is the reason for the season. Earthly gifts & joys don't last. People may come & go in our lives, we may lose our jobs, traditions may change......BUT, not only is Jesus really the reason for the season, HE WILL ALWAYS BE THE ONE CONSTANT IN YOUR LIFE!!! No matter what happens, I WILL have a Very Merry Christmas this year, because I am choosing to focus on JESUS as my never ending joy in Christmas!! I love You, Jesus!! Thank You for being My True Christmas Joy!! Take a moment & watch this beautiful, powerful display of images, set to ,"O, Holy Night," sung by Celine Dion. (You may have to let it run through once to upload it fully, but it really is worth it! Very relaxing & beautiful pictures!)
www.youtube.com/watch?v=0AgOMsXLCtw
Paige Caswell Swafford
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