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The Most Wonderful ??? or Stressful ??? Time of The Year

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By: Nancy Abiera

 

Christmas is just around the corner. All of us have different mindsets and expectations during this time of celebration. I love to sing the song:

“It’s the most wonderful time of the year!”

I reminisced some of my happy treasured memories spending Christmas with family and friends back in the Philippines.

However, when I compare Christmas in America, it may be more truthful to sing:

“It’s the most “stressful” time of the year!”

The extra stress caused by extra parties leading to more eating/ drinking resulting in extra pounds gained; and not to mention the extra spending that can make anyone easily exceed the normal budget. In fact, I heard that we gain weight the most (and most likely to spend the most) between November 1 and January 7.

The question is:

“How can something so wonderful …

turn into something so stressful?”

The key is to first be aware of the true meaning of Christmas. Traditionally, we connect this season for giving and exchanging gifts. This is partly true. However, Christmas is not really just about us giving or exchanging gifts. It is more about God giving us the best gift by sending Jesus from heaven to be birthed on earth in order for us to receive His love, joy, peace and salvation available to all mankind. Jesus Christ Himself is the gift of God to all of us.

“For God (The Greatest Giver) so loved (The Greatest Expression of Unconditional Love) the world, (The Greatest Focus) that He gave (The Greatest Gift) His only Begotten Son, (The Greatest Savior of all) that whosoever believes in Him (The Greatest Response) will not perish (The Greatest Punishment of Hell) but will have eternal life (The Greatest Everlasting Reward of Heaven).”

John 3:16 (NIV – Nancy’s International Version)

God is not only the giver of love. God is love in the person of Jesus, the God-man (fully God and fully man) so we can all be saved and restored back to God Himself. This is what makes Christmas the most wonderful time of the year. It is the gift giving of Jesus to us by God so we can receive the abundant life on earth and eternal reward of heaven. It is not the good things we do for God that gives us entry to heaven but what God did by sending Jesus to bring heaven to earth.

Allow me to share some true to life stories I had over the years.

I remember November 27, 1986 on Thanksgiving Day, exactly 31 years ago, I invited Jesus into my heart to be my Savior and Lord of my life. It was life-changing as it transformed my way of thinking to thanking Him instead. My views got altered too from pleasing myself and others to pleasing God first. Even my prayer life changed from just reading prayers to honestly praying straight from my heart. My focus switched from taking pride in what I do for God to being humbled in receiving what He does for me. Instead of depending on myself, I depended on God more and more.

A few days after, I could not keep my excitement inside of me. I decided and wrote a one page letter-testimony of my life sharing God’s love through Jesus. I even shared how I changed from being religious (focusing on the do’s and don’ts of good works of religion) to being in a Godly personal relationship with Jesus that works (receiving Jesus’ love by faith and His finished work of forgiveness on the cross). I made 200 copies of my letter and sent them all to my family/relatives, friends, co-workers and enemies as well. I forgave and released the people who hurt me and asked forgiveness from those whom I caused hurt.

The good work God began in my life continued….

Then the first time I went back to the Philippines, the Lord directed me to visit my ex-boyfriend who cheated on me and broke my heart. I swallowed my pride and personally asked for his forgiveness. Through this gesture, bitterness in my heart when released made me a better person. The curse of tormenting pain turned into unexplainable rain of blessings. Moreover, it put a closure to the open wound in me caused by the breakup. Through God’s grace, I was able to personally share with him the love of Jesus through the power of forgiveness. Furthermore, God continued to use me restoring other broken relationships in my life that healed me even more.

My S.A.D.N.E.S.S.

S. Stress

A. Anxiety

D. Depression

N. Negativity

E. Envy

S. Self- centered

S. Stuck up ways turned to so much

J.O.Y.S.

J. Joy in

O. Obedience saying

Y. Yes to Jesus bringing

S. Success in many areas of my life

The stress weighing me down for many years have lifted off me as I lifted up God’s Name and His goodness, grace and glory.

What about you? Without Jesus being the reason for the season, this surely can turn your most wonderful time to be your most stressful time of the year.

On one final note, let us all reflect, sing (and do) Michael Jackson ‘s song:

Give Love (of Jesus) on Christmas Day (Words in parenthesis added) People making lists, buying special gifts, Taking time to be kind to one and all. It’s that time of year when good friends are dear, And you wish you could give more Than just presents from a store. Why don’t you give love on Christmas Day Even the man who has everything Would be so happy if you would bring Give love on Christmas Day. No greater gift is there than love. . .

On this Christmas season, let us all share God’s gift of perfect love in Jesus in our thoughts, words and actions to everyone and everywhere.

Merry Christmas and Prosperous New Year to you all!

Always choose “On A Bright Side”. I love you readers with the love of the Lord yet God loves you the most. Smile and be a blessing. . . Rev. Nancy H. Abiera

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