God's best friend
What I learned this Christmas
This year I put up my tree on 1 November, but I didn’t decorate it until I returned from Thanksgiving in Tampa.
I decorated my front door with evergreen roping and a beautiful wreath, but I forgot to order my lights in time to put them up outside.
At the start of Advent I found myself missing Mom and honestly, the weeks that stretched ahead felt empty without her.
But then, a young college student from Ukraine, who is studying in the United States, came to visit for a few days. Then there was a Christmas party with with friends. And later I hosted my first ever cookie exchange with ladies in my community. And though I still missed Mom every day, I felt less alone.
I took my annual photo with Bear for my Christmas cards, but forgot to order them in time to send them out.
I tried to write a note here for every week of Advent, but I missed the third week.
It was an imperfect Christmas.
But I didn’t miss my morning conversations with God over coffee.
During one of those conversations I asked God if it is possible to consider Him my best friend?
I didn’t find the answer until this morning, as I lay awake in the early morning hours of Christmas.
And the answer is, yes of course, God is my best friend. I know He loves me as I am, with my many faults and regrets. I can tell Him anything without fear of rejection. And no matter how old I become, He will always be by my side.
God is still God. And the fear of God is still the beginning of wisdom. My awe and reverence for God is in no way diminished.
God came to us as a vulnerable infant. Grew up in a family much like any of ours. He became flesh, laughed, cried, loved, and sorrowed with us. so that we could know God, love Him, trust Him with our very souls.
Sometimes it’s difficult to imagine how much God loves us, but as we celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ, it is good that we have this annual celebration, to not only remind us of God’s infinite love for us, but to discover that every Christmas will take on a different meaning, because though God’s love for us never changes, never waivers, is never diminished, our appreciation of God’s love will grow in depth and understanding as we grow.
I wish you a merry Christmas and another year toward a closer relationship with God through Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior.
❤️