Christmas Blessings!

"Behold, the virgin shall be with child and bear a son and they shall name him Emmanuel which means "God is with us."  Matthew 1:23

May you experience "God with you"...

...may your life be filled with all things bright and beautiful...

and may the blessings of this Christmas season be yours throughout the coming New Year...

even in the midst of life's messiness and challenges!

Greeting to all my blog visitors and friends from WOYWW, Word Art Wednesday and Inspire Me Monday!

WOYWW: Finding Meaning in the Mess

What's on Your Work Desk Wednesday finds my desk in a state of disarray (so what else is new!) with some gifts waiting for their gift cards...

And in the midst of trying to get at least some of my Christmas list done, I remind myself that in this challenging time, when we are caring for my Mom, Christmas is not really about having my gifts ready on time for December 25 (the Christmas season lasts until Epiphany in January).  It really is all about Jesus who came to save us.

As the Advent reflection from Online Ministries states, "The powerful advantage of Advent is that it offers us light in the midst of darkness, hope in the midst of despair, liberty in the midst of captivity, and peace in the midst of war or conflict. The key to a grace-filled Advent is to begin by identifying where I am experiencing darkness, despair, captivity and war. Recognizing our own unique version of these struggles is the first grace of Advent. We can’t say “Come, Lord Jesus” with any real meaning unless we have a felt experience of what it is we need. Once we experience our need, then the desire can formulate in our heart to ask for what we need."

This Advent and Christmas season is specially meaningful for me because in the midst of my Mom's suffering, I can truly say we need a savior and I am so thankful for Him.  Come, Lord Jesus!

I'm also sharing my prayer journal illustration with Word Art Wednesday.  In spite of the busyness of the season, may we all have a meaningful Advent and Christmas!

WOYWW: Christmas, Finally

Everyone seems to have decorated their homes and finished their Christmas cards and I have only today decided to start wrapping some token gifts.  No creativity here since I did not make these ecobags, just my way of encouraging my friends to use less plastic when shopping.  But they do come in nice colors and patterns, don't you think?

And speaking of colors and patterns, here's a scarf I couldn't resist buying because of it's colors and pattern!

Last Sunday, we went to a wedding and they had a photo booth where you can have souvenir photos taken.  It's popular for weddings and other big parties here in the Philippines.  I wonder, is this popular in your country?

And lastly, a page from my prayer journal about God's great love for his children.  After all, I think that is what Christmas is really all about...

Sharing this in What's on your Workdesk Wednesday and Word Art Wednesday.  Be blessed!

WOYWW: Advent

The year has flown by so, so quickly and now, it is Advent once again, a season we celebrate as a time of waiting and preparation for Christmas.  Last Sunday was the First Sunday of Advent and we had a big "Catchfire" prayer rally.  I designed the theme for the event and on my desk for What's on Your Workdesk Wednesday is a ticket and t-shirt that I designed for the event.  

Every Christmas, I plan to buy an Advent wreath but when Advent "suddenly" arrives and I haven't bought one yet, I turn to my makeshift one made out of a wooden/wire fruit bowl, a wreath and some candles. Turn the bowl over and voila...

my Advent wreath!

All year round my Advent project is displayed on our wall but every Advent, it has special meaning for me.  It is made up of twenty five ATCs which have Advent symbols to make an Advent Calendar.

For me, Christmas is all about God's love and this verse from Romans 8:38 is one of my favorites.

Sharing this in Word Art Wednesday and Inspire Me Monday.  Be blessed, dear blog friends!