On the Eve of Christmas...

This is a Christmas Eve like none other I've had.

I've been asked often about how I'm doing this season, and it's a difficult question to answer. Of course, there are many thoughts and feelings in my head this Christmas...moments of sadness and disappointment. Moments of dreaming about what our family Christmas could have been like tomorrow morning. And, moments of realization that there will always be someone missing here.

But I would honestly say to those who ask that the moments of joy and gratitude far outweigh the rest. We are able to have times of rich celebration because of all four of our children. And, because of the Lord's great love, we are NOT consumed! Instead, we are full of the joy of Christmas.

That may surprise many people, but I'm not sure why. To me, this season may have more sadness for us than usual, but it also holds more hope than it ever has before.

As I wrote on a friend's blog last night, I KNOW that because of Christmas, I will see Chase again someday. Jesus fulfilled the promise of heaven because of His life here on earth. And, I've NEVER been more grateful for what Christmas promises for me.

I also KNOW that because of Christmas, God is faithful to me just as He says He is. Because He sent His son for me just like He said He would.

I KNOW that because of Christmas, we are drawn to His side. His glory is revealed through His son's birth, and all men are drawn to the hope He offers, as we stop to recognize how He has changed our world.

I KNOW that because of Christmas, "good will" is done for others in need. And, that even as so many hurt in their own ways this season, God is RIGHT THERE, working all things for good. Because of that promise, I continue to trust Him...

And, because of all of these things that I KNOW, I am able to celebrate this season. As I read yesterday, "If we adore the One from whom all gifts come, we will find our joy multiplied a hundred fold". Even in grief, there can be SUCH amazing good. He desperately wants me to see His faithfulness...to recognize His steady hand...and to focus on His love for me this Christmas. And, He is incredibly faithful in providing us the strength to do this. We would be so lost and hopeless without Him.

I love this quote from Girl Talk today about His faithful promises. (Girl Talk is one of my very favorite blogs, and worthy of your time to read!)

"The incarnation is the supreme example of fulfilled prophecy, the supreme example of God’s faithfulness to his promises….What God did when he sent his Son into the world is an absolute guarantee that he will do everything he has ever promised to do.

Look at it in a personal sense: ‘All things work together for good to them that love God’—that is a promise—‘to them who are the called according to his purpose’ (Rom. 8:28, KJV).

'But how can I know that is true for me?' asks someone.

The answer is the incarnation.

God has given the final proof that all his promises are sure, that he is faithful to everything he has ever said. So that promise is sure for you.

Whatever your state or condition may be, whatever may happen to you, he has said, ‘I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee’ (Heb. 13:5, KJV)—and he will not. He has said so, and we have absolute proof that he fulfills his promises.

He does not always do it immediately in the way that we think. No, no! But he does it!

And he will never fail to do it.”

- D. Martyn Lloyd Jones, from "Come Thou Long Expected Jesus"

From our family Christmas card this year...

"Everything He does reveals His glory and majesty.

His righteousness never fails.

He causes us to remember His wonderful works.

How gracious and merciful is our Lord!"

Psalm 111:3-4