Merry Christmas!

Greetings, dear ones. I don’t blog anymore; in fact, I never really started. But I want to start (again) just to keep my mind sharp and to keep a journal, of sorts, of events in our lives that Luke (who is now 5) can look back on later. So forgive me for starting during the holidays …

This year has been a tough one. Lots of medical tests, illnesses, financial struggles, etc. Sometimes Neil and I look at each other and laugh because there’s rarely a day where both of us feel well. If it’s not his back, it’s my headaches; if it’s not my shin, it’s his hips … you get the picture. Yet last Friday, at our church, hundreds of women came and were invited to kneel at the manger and worship. I was reminded again that it’s all about Jesus. I sat with tears streaming down as I sang, “Joy to the World,” desiring that the world would truly receive Her King. I marveled at the Incarnation as reflected in the words, “When you kiss your little baby, you have kissed the face of God.” I received strength to go forth despite hardships as I looked up and reflected on His love for me.

So many today are suffering because of finances, sickness, and loss. We’ve prayed over the past year for a dear friend who is battling a second time with cancer and for a sweet six-year-old girl who is also going through round two of surgery and chemo. Sometimes we think God is silent or blind, or worse yet, that He hears and sees but is knowingly sitting on His hands doing nothing. Yet the Bible shows Jesus was moved by people’s sufferings, both physical and emotional, and He often went out of His way to bring healing to them. He broke religious laws to touch lepers. He ministered to an outcast woman (not common practice for a rabbi in His time). He went to a funeral and wept for His friend. Jesus said, “He who has seen Me has seen the Father” (John 14:9); therefore, when we look upon Jesus doing these things, we see the Father’s heart for us. May these tiny portraits encourage you who read to come and adore Him this Christmas.

Much love from the Goddings.

Come, Thou long expected Jesus

Born to set Thy people free;

From our fears and sins release us,

Let us find our rest in Thee.

Israel’s Strength and Consolation,

Hope of all the earth Thou art;

Dear Desire of every nation,

Joy of every longing heart.

Born Thy people to deliver,

Born a child and yet a King,

Born to reign in us forever,

Now Thy gracious kingdom bring.

By Thine own eternal Spirit

Rule in all our hearts alone;

By Thine all sufficient merit,

Raise us to Thy glorious throne.