boxing day...

wow... christmas came and went... i'm exhausted... but instead of starting my nap right now, i'm taking a moment to write a few things...

my mom and brother left last week... it was a good visit... probably a bit of culture shock for them on some levels... life should have returned to "normal" after they left - but christmas set in...

christmas was great... i spent christmas eve/day with the family i've been living with for several months... and it was fun... which is normal - i usually have fun with the family... they all really loved their gifts (re: old blog entry) - and i walked away from the experience with a new appreciation for family, the holidays and well, Jesus.

the dad asked, as we were about to pray before dinner, if anyone would rather have all that they got that day instead of Jesus... of course, we all said no... there is nothing greater than our relationships with Jesus... but to make that declaration is different than just thinking or knowing it...

so last night as i was driving back to the house where i've been housesitting, i pulled out my james taylor christmas cd - and there's a song on it that i've never really listened to before... i know it's old - but it totally has new meaning for me this year...

In the Bleak Midwinter

In the bleak midwinter,
frosty wind made moan,
Earth stood hard as iron,
water like a stone;
Snow had fallen, snow on snow,
snow on snow,
In the bleak midwinter, long ago.

Our God, heaven cannot hold Him,
nor earth sustain;
Heaven and earth shall flee away
when He comes to reign.
In the bleak midwinter
a stable place sufficed
The Lord God Almighty, Jesus Christ.

Angels and archangels
may have gathered there,
Cherubim and seraphim
thronged the air;
But His mother only,
in her maiden bliss,
Worshipped the beloved with a kiss.

What can I give Him,
poor as I am?
If I were a shepherd,
I would bring a lamb;
If I were a Wise Man,
I would do my part;
Yet what I can give Him: give my heart.

so as i'm looking to the new year, as many are, i am trying to figure out how to fully give my heart every day to the only one who is worthy... and as i journey this year, i pray that i begin to live the life of the beloved and fully embrace each day with new hope because of God's faithfulness... i'm sure to fail often, if not every day... but there's this great line in a switchfoot song, "maybe redemption has stories to tell... maybe forgiveness is right where you fell."

as i journey this year, and make mistakes and have successes, i pray that my entire focus is on my Abba... one more song (today it's songs and not movies...)

Lord you have my heart
And I will search for yours
Jesus take my life and lead me on.

Lord you have my heart
And I will search for yours
Let me be to you a sacrifice.

And I will praise you Lord
And I will sing of love come down
And as you show your face
We'll see your glory here.