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Best Christmas in Years



Post after post on social media seems to exclaim:  “This is the best Christmas in years!”  I shout “Amen!” as I read them and join in the excitement of my friends. 

That’s how I feel this Christmas too!  It has been one of the best in years.  That’s because God did what we could not do!

I’ m basking in the love God has for His children.  His desire is for families to be reconciled to Him and to each other.  Reconciliation!  Oh, the freedom of it!

Ephesians 2:14 says:

 For Christ Himself has brought peace to us. He united Jews and Gentiles into one people when, in his own body on the cross, he broke down the wall of hostility that separated us.

I listen to songs proclaiming the peace of Christmas and read the words in Christmas cards.  This year that peace fell upon our home and our family as we experienced the gift of it in a long awaited prayer request for someone dear to us.  As we enjoy our days together this week, we can’t stop talking about the goodness of God and His amazing love for us.  Breakthrough is a wonderful thing, especially at Christmas.  The peace of it extends to every one of us in our family!  It was a present to us!

No wonder we have been inundated with spiritual warfare over the weeks prior.  The enemy does not want God’s people to unite, to love and forgive.  No, he would much rather fill our lives and homes with contention, strife and bitterness.

He didn’t win!

This has been the best Christmas’ in years.  We are a thankful bunch!


Here are some memories I hold dear this year.

























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Comments

  1. bettyDecember 27, 2015 at 10:00 PM

    So thankful it was a great Christmas for you all; the best in a bit : ) God is good and we are thankful he is :)

    betty

    ReplyDelete
  2. Nancy ChanDecember 28, 2015 at 5:50 AM

    Praise the Lord for His goodness and faithful. Thank God for the peace He gives to us and reconciliation that brought us back to Him and to one another. Your good news is our good news too. Have a beautiful new week!

    ReplyDelete
  3. MelanieDecember 28, 2015 at 7:08 AM

    I'm so glad it was such a blessed Christmas for you! God knows just how to put things together. Have a blessed day.

    ReplyDelete
  4. LindaDecember 28, 2015 at 9:02 AM

    I am so happy you had a great Christmas! Your photos are beautiful!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Mevely317December 28, 2015 at 11:20 AM

    You just lifted my heart, Mary!
    Lovin' all these pictures ... particularly the joy tiny Amy seems to exude everywhere she goes. :)
    Happy New Year!

    ReplyDelete
  6. LisaDecember 28, 2015 at 2:24 PM

    Mary so glad you had a wonderful Christmas! Mine was quiet which was a good thing. ;-) You have such a beautiful family!

    ReplyDelete
  7. CherylDecember 28, 2015 at 9:20 PM

    Oh, how precious, Mary! I am so thankful your Christmas was so blessed and happy, and to see all of the wonderful memories you made this year. God is SO good! One of the things I noticed this year is how it seemed that a lot more people focused on Christ. It seemed that more stores used "Merry Christmas" in their advertising and more people were spiritual-minded this year. SO very thankful to see that shift, as it has been a cause of great heaviness to me for years. Thank you for sharing your heart here....you are always such a dear blessing to me. I hope 2016 will be a wonderful year for all of us!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Victor S E MoubarakDecember 29, 2015 at 8:22 AM

    God bless you and yours.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Nikki (Sarah)December 30, 2015 at 5:22 AM

    Fun pictures....You guys look like you had a great time.....wishing you a very happy new year too.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Creations By CindyDecember 30, 2015 at 7:56 AM

    Love all the pictures! So glad you enjoyed your Christmas as we did too! God is good to us and we are so undeserving. The Victory is HIS! Happy New Year my friend. Hugs and blessings, Cindy

    ReplyDelete
  11. UnknownDecember 30, 2015 at 10:36 AM

    Seeing the joys that our Father brings through His eyes and heart truly does lift a soul. So happy for you. May our Father continue to bless and lift you and yours up to Him!

    ReplyDelete
  12. SharonDecember 30, 2015 at 5:50 PM

    Ah, I can think of no better time for reconciliation than Christmas - you're right! When the Prince of Peace arrives, it's a blessed occasion!

    We also had a very nice Christmas. Every year our extended family grows, and I just love seeing us all together.

    Looking forward to sharing the journey in this coming year, Mary.

    You bring me laughter and wisdom like no one else!

    GOD BLESS!

    ReplyDelete
  13. Victor S E MoubarakDecember 30, 2015 at 6:38 PM

    Wishing you and yours a Splendid New Year.

    God bless.

    ReplyDelete
  14. Debbie PetrasJanuary 1, 2016 at 5:31 AM

    Oh Mary, God is so good! As I read your words, it is so encouraging. We've walked with each other through many difficult times. I've read your words and prayed for you over the years we've been blogging. How thankful I am that we have had the opportunity to meet in person and pray together. How thankful I am that blogging has brought so many Christian women together to offer encouragement, friendship and prayer. I love your photos.

    Happy New Year!

    Love,
    Debbie

    ReplyDelete
  15. AnonymousJanuary 2, 2016 at 3:50 PM

    Wow, I love hearing about answered prayer. Thank you for sharing your life, and this years Christmas story that includes forgiveness. Happy New Year!

    ReplyDelete
  16. Wise HeartedJanuary 2, 2016 at 4:50 PM

    (because God did what we could not do!) That is exactly how I feel, it was our best Christmas. Not because of gifts or food but because both our kids and their kids got come to our place for 9 days. It was a great reunion, full of laughter, playing games, deep talks, only thing wrong it was too short. Glad you had a great Christmas also. Blessings.

    ReplyDelete
  17. Wise HeartedJanuary 2, 2016 at 4:50 PM

    (because God did what we could not do!) That is exactly how I feel, it was our best Christmas. Not because of gifts or food but because both our kids and their kids got come to our place for 9 days. It was a great reunion, full of laughter, playing games, deep talks, only thing wrong it was too short. Glad you had a great Christmas also. Blessings.

    ReplyDelete
  18. CeilJanuary 3, 2016 at 3:10 PM

    Hi Mary! What joy I felt reading your words! Who couldn't smile with all the photos you have here? I'm so happy for you and your family. Prayers answered, the evil one defeated...wow!

    Have a wonderful start to 2016, can't wait to see what God has in store for you!
    Ceil

    ReplyDelete

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