Oh Happy Day!

"Today is the day that the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it." -- Psalm 118:24

This is one of two times a year Christians get the opportunity to proclaim Christ, his life and his message; with the other being Easter.

I have once again found faith in Christian beliefs over this past year and this Christmas has a whole new meaning in my life than it ever did before. I am reminded of the greatest gift ever given to mankind through our Lord, Jesus Christ. I am reminded that there is a purpose greater than myself or anything on this Earth that I have been commissioned to do, "Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man," in Ecclesiastes 12:13.

I don't like to preach to people and will not do it here; I wish only to express my own feelings on the holiday season and encourage love, compassion and faith. Believe me when I say I am far from perfect and I know you all can relate to that. While I do not believe that Christ was born on Dec. 25, I do believe he was here and walked this Earth, which is more important. I believe that God gave his only Son so that even before I was born and knew what sin was, I would have a chance to be set free from sin, as would anyone else who believes. I am reminded that while Christ may not have been born on this specific date, it is definitely the time of year to spread God's message of His Son's life and soon coming.

This is a time I would also like to highlight my church family. While I am not a member specifically, I attend the Weirton Seventh-Day Adventist Church. We are a small congregation but one filled with love and a mighty faith.

These people - Sophie, Bernie and Kim, Mary, Gay, Arlene and Shawn, Mary Jo and Jerry, Bill, Eddie and Joan, Ben, Rhonda and Derek, Frank and Sandy, Bob, Michelle, Dominic and Renea, Pastor Doc and Yonnie and my dear friend Linda, along with several members who have passed away - have become my family. Through thick and thin, these people were praying for me before they ever knew me and they continue to pray for me now. I have come to love everyone at our small church and even while I have much to learn and to talk about with them, I know that when I walk through those doors... I am home. I am with my brothers and sisters in Christ and I have never felt more connected.

This year, I have tested the waters of my faith and time and time again, God has been there. I walk away only to find myself coming back because I know deep inside my heart it is where I am meant to be. He has been patient with me, as with all of us, and I only hope this coming year as I start out on my own for the first time that I will be able to stand stronger for Him.

One of my favorite literary characters, Albus Dumbledore, said, "the time will come when you must choose between what right and what is easy," and I believe that can be said true of almost everything in life.

Now, I have set in my mind a list of things I would like to accomplish in the coming days.. which I will save for another time. But, as we think about our "new year's resolutions," instead of setting ourselves up for failure, why don't we try to think of it in terms of "one day at a time" and try to live each day in the moment and be better than we are the day before treating others as WE WANT TO BE TREATED. Put yourself in their shoes before you act and you might find more compassion than you thought you had.

I wish you all a happy holiday. Be safe and may God bless you richly.