Christmas: The new single awareness day?

Not having a relationship during Christmas sucks. 

That's right, plenty of people feel this way during the holidays. I've noticed that Christmas movies are all about love, relationships, and family. Christmas songs have become about "Santa Baby" and "All I want for Christmas is you". Conversations about Christmas have turned into what you are buying the loved ones in your life, and how you can fit everything into your schedule. In many ways Christmas has turned into a "Single Awareness Day" as much as Valentines Day. Going to Christmas parties and feeling like "if only I had a date this year", or with your family feeling like the only person who doesn't have someone to exchange that special gift...

The truth is, not having a relationship during Christmas does suck...if you do not have a relationship with the birthday boy we are celebrating. My heart is sad and I think the Lord probably grieves during this time of year in many ways at how we have made Christmas about everything except for Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior...

Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death- even death on a cross! Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. 

-Philippians 2:6-11

^7 8 

You see Christmas IS about having a RELATIONSHIP...

a RELATIONSHIP with JESUS. 

(John 6: 35-40, John 10:9-11)

Christmas IS about LOVE...

GOD IS LOVE. 

(1 John 4: 7-21, John 3:16)

Christmas IS about  FAMILY...

Being adopted into God's family.

(1 John 3:1, Matthew 12:48-50)

Christmas IS about a gift...

THE GIFT OF JESUS CHRIST.  

(Romans 6:23,  Ephesians 2:8-9)

I am guilty as anyone of getting distracted by all the things the world tells me I need this time of year, and all the reminders of things I don't have. My prayer is that we wouldn't get caught up in everything and just "fit Jesus" into Christmas, but that we would celebrate Jesus' birthday! This holiday is about Jesus, not about us. I pray that we would be thankful for the greatest gift of all, and share the love, grace, peace, and joy that we have because of our Savior. 

You see, you already have a relationship...the greatest, most loving relationship this world has ever seen. JESUS. You are not alone, you are never alone. God goes before you, is with you, and has an incredible plan for your life (Deuteronomy 31:6,8, Jeremiah 29:11). 

How are you doing in your relationship with Jesus?

Here's one of my new favorite Christmas songs:
Leaving Heaven by Matthew West
"If you're ever wondering how much your worth, you're the reason why I'm leaving heaven..."
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RvfKG8BFBd8

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year

Family & Friends

Another year is coming to an end and it always is a fun time to reflect back on all that the Lord has done this past year. I looked back on my past Christmas letters and the theme tends to stay the same: God is so very good.

2012 started with me moving into the Macfarlan’s garage apartment, and I had no idea how much of a blessing this would be for me. Dean and Tawney Macfarlan lead my trip to Uganda in October 2011, and quickly became some of my favorite people to be around. They have an incredible marriage rooted in Christ, and are some of the most faithful and loving people I have ever met. I've learned more from living there this past year than they will ever know.

Soon after my move, my beautiful niece Zoe was born in March. She is truly a gift from God and has already brought so much joy to our family. Her name is the word Jesus would use for “life” when the bible was written in Greek, and she is definitely full of life. We are so happy for Michael, Amy, and big brother Garrett.

 I then got invited to go on a cruise with a childhood friend of mine named Lauren. We went to Jamaica, Mexico, and Grand Cayman where we zip lined, kayaked, swam with stingrays, and got to race on one of the America’s Cup sailboats (our boat won!). It was such a sweet time to catch up with an old friend, and get a tan J.  

This summer I went to a city I had never been before, Chicago! Summertime in Chicago is amazing. The weather was perfect for running out by the lake, and I enjoyed eating great food, going to the top of the Sears Tower, taking an architectural boat tour through the city, exploring the Navy Pier, and going to Wrigley Field! In the fall we took a Breaud girls trip to Round Top where we had a great time shopping, eating, and catching up. It was really special having ten women from one side of the family (three generations) together for a weekend getaway.

The big trip of the year was going back to Haiti with 40 young adults that I serve with every Tuesday at The Porch (www.theporchdallas.com). We spent time painting new homes for the Haitians, where we would also get to share the Gospel with the children, adults, and deaf community nearby. Then other days we went to villages where those who knew Jesus reflected to us the hope and joy that comes from walking with the Lord. They have what we would consider nothing and yet only wanted us to pray for them to draw nearer to God and trust him more. This was very encouraging and convicting at the same time. It was very clear which villages either had never heard of Jesus, chose to reject Jesus, or mix Jesus with voodoo. We were challenged to articulate well the Gospel, and then pray for the Lord to move in a big way in these villages. Towards the end of the trip Hurricane Sandy hit the island and we were confined to Mission of Hope’s compound. The Lord had a plan though and having to stay at MOH allowed us to spend time in the orphanage, and help to paint the new hospital they are building on site. Overall the trip was incredible seeing the change from a year ago. Mission of Hope is a perfect name for our partners there because they are truly helping Haitians see the hope that comes from our Savior Jesus Christ. Thank you all so much for your prayers and support for this trip. Our team appreciated it so much, and we all came back even more excited about serving the Lord here in Dallas.

My last trip of the year was to the Macfarlan’s ranch where I got to celebrate my boyfriend Ryan’s 30^th birthday with some of our closest friends.  While we were there it was awesome reflecting on what Christmas is really about, and how thankful we are that God would send his Son Jesus to earth for us.

But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. –Luke 2:10-11

I’m excited to end the year celebrating Christmas and New Years with Ryan and our family and friends. I can’t wait to see what 2013 will bring!

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year~

Allyson