Christine Smith's Blog

The Light Has Come – Welcoming Christ and the fruit of the Spirit

Let us love the Child of Bethlehem. Come souls and love a God who has become a Child, poor and so lovable, in need of our tender love, who has come down from heaven to give Himself entirely to you. If we but ask for pardon and salvation, He has come to pardon us and to save us. — St. Francis of Assisi

The sun is brightly shining this moment even as snowflakes are falling ever so gently. It has been a most beautiful morning, of prayer and worship and song, and as the afternoon comes, I look forward to cooking a delicious Christmas dinner which my father and I will share together. Today is a happy day, and there will be good food, music, and joy continued to be shared with those both close and far to me.

As the year draws to its close, I look back filled with gratitude. So many experiences, so many ways and things I could not have anticipated or made happen, and especially through a few others and the gifts they are whom were brought into my life this past year, I have learned so much.

This Christmas, more than any other in my life, is the most joyous. For this Christmas, I know in my heart the Light has indeed come into this world, in Jesus, our Lord.

My heart is filled with gratitude for the grace shown me and all who come to Him.

For God’s gift there is great joy surpassing anything I’ve ever experienced, I pray with a happy heart. And I live with a happy heart, wishing to bring happiness to all those I encounter.

All my life Christmas has been special, with a deep gratitude for the gift of my beloved father in my life and all other blessings, but now somehow in a way I find words not really capable of fully describing there is a peace, the peace given by God our heavenly Father, as with all my heart and soul I embrace and accept His gift of love. It is what I have been spiritually seeking, was always there, ready for the moment when I would have the willingness to accept…and in that moment I knew. Doubt and discouragements are gone. A moment of faith has been rewarded with a daily faith where my spirit has courage, resolve, and above all – joy!

Christ came to cure our wounds; but since all do not search for the remedy, therefore, He cures those who are willing; He does not force the unwilling. God, for His part, really wills us to be save; otherwise, it would be impossible for us to obtain health and eternal life.– St. Alphonsus Liguori

My desire is that as my love and understanding has deepened from God, that I will likewise consciously deepen in the love for others in my life, both friend and foe and stranger, so that my actions reflect His love. Through God, I seek to be a light for others. For all of us must endeavor to love others as He has loved us. In service to others, and in all the work I do, my first priority is that it serve His will. Then my life will be a blessing to others.

I leave you with a few Scriptures which I wish to share today, Christmas Day 2008:

Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage. (Gal. 5:1, KJV)
For all the law is fulfilled in one word, [even] in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. (Gal. 5:14)
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.
If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.
Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another. (Gal. 5-22-26, KJV)

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
The same was in the beginning with God.
All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.
In him was life; and the life was the light of men.
And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not. (John 1: 1-5, KJV)

He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not. (John 1:10, KJV)
…But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name…(John 1:12, KJV).

and from The Nicene Creed, “…For us men and our salvation He came down from heaven: by the power of the Holy Spirit, He was born of the Virgin Mary , and became man…”

I wish you a blessed Christmas. May the joy of Christmas remain with you always. It can if you so choose.

Merry Christmas!

Peace.