Well the waiting for Christmas day is now over!
We were able to spend some time with the Klein-Geltink clan Christmas eve. This day is one of the best parts of this time of year. It was full of the family: kids' noises, heart felt conversations with siblings and Mom and Dad, the competition of the table hockey game, the messages from Santa for all the grand kids, and Christmas music. We had the traditional dinner - Chinese food ending with the cracking open of the fortune cookies. The opening of gifts was a highlight for the kids big and small. How fun it is to see the excitement of receiving a much unexpected item and the pretended delight of opening a gift from a child who has told about the contents earlier that day. One thing that we have tried to do each year is line up the family for a portrait. After a few takes here we are:
Christmas morning, I had the privilege of once again attending church for the first time in almost one month. How good it is to worship amongst God's people. How I miss this so much during these past few months. And oh how more special it was to be there on a day like Christmas morning.
During the service, the children blessed us with singing and reading of the Bible passages. Everyone can attest to the fact that each little girl and boy brings a certain delight to any service and this morning they truly did not disappoint us. Their sweet voices, some louder and some softer, added a richness to the praises which are being lifted. The children were dressed in white garbs, like our image of the angels who brought the "good news" to the shepherds. What cute little angels they were.
That was the theme of the service - Waiting for the "Good News." When Stephen began the message it was like God spoke right to my heart. It was as if he had read my blog posting of a few days ago and was speaking directly to me and me alone. Stephen began with " Have you ever waited for news about..." Well, for me this year that seems to be all we have done most of this past year. Once again, like most days, I was brought to tears. They were not ones of fear or sadness, but ones full of recognition that God truly does know me and speaks what I need to hear at just the right moments. Once again He was there ready to tell me something that I should not miss and would bring great comfort and solace on this Christmas morning. It is sometimes the waiting that is hard but the message is often well worth it. Stephen made the point at the end of the service that hearing the angels proclaim the "Good News" was one thing but acting upon it was more important. We need to met the Saviour, accept him, and live a life for him. Waiting for news can be difficult but this accepting this "News" is exhilarating.
Cindy
p.s On a totally different note. I have been waiting for something else for a while too. On December 24 first thing in the morning I had walked past a mirror and what to my wondering eyes should appear but ... "bed head". Yes, my hair has grow to a length that I now have to consider some sort of style. For this one morning though, I did not straighten it but walked downstairs proudly making sure that everyone saw it.
1 comment:
Dear Bedhead! I love you. You are such an encourager and you know I share so much with you! What colour is your hair as it makes its appearance? Mine is grey/black. And it looks poker straight. Before I had some curls - more waves and it was not grey - only tiny little smatterings. But now it is so obvious. The thing that is funny for me right now, is that I do not care two hoots about the colour (although I would have preferred brown or black!) I find myself being thankful that at least it is hair. Are your eyebrows and lashes back? My brows are. My lashes are a little slow. Isn't it weird? It's like we are being created again. Maybe we are. I am pretty sure my heart has received a few adjustments. What about yours? Have a wonderful new year and I'm keeping an eye on you. Tell Steven that oour prayers continue to be with you both!
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