This morning I am playing “Uber driver” (we used to call it “taxi”). A friend had knee surgery and needed a ride to a visit with the doc. As I waited for her to get to the car, I listened to a song on the radio. The singer sang “do you know the meaning of Christmas?”

As I listened to that beautiful melody, I tilted my head back and looked at the sky through the moonroof. A flock of birds was overhead, their wings glimmering in the morning sun. The car was filled with the presence of God as my heart cried out – I do know the meaning of Christmas!

I love the traditions of Christmas but they are not Christmas. Don’t get me wrong – I want and enjoy those traditions. Our tree is bright with lights and ornaments. I will be wrapping presents later today. And tonight we will decorate sugar cookies with a friend.

I love the music of Christmas. Last night John and I watched a DVD of a friend’s Christmas concert of a few years ago. I don’t play those Manheim Steamroller CDs except at Christmas. I will sing Silent Night, Joy to the World, and O Come All Ye Faithful. I will also sing the non-sacred favorites like I’ll Be Home for Christmas and Jingle Bells.

I love connecting with those we love. We may not be together physically, but we will call and write and zoom together and tell people “Merry Christmas” and “I love you.”

I love celebrating Christmas but it doesn’t have to be on December 25th. I have celebrated Christmas on a variety of dates in December and even as early as November and as late as January. The date doesn’t matter.

Christmas is not a social construct to me, and although we call it Jesus’ birthday, that is not the real reason that I celebrate Christmas.

I celebrate Christmas because it lets me celebrate in my soul snd shout out to the world that:

⁃ “Long lay the world in sin and error pining, till He appear’d and the soul felt its worth. A thrill of hope, the weary world rejoices, for yonder breaks a new and glorious morn.”

⁃ “Son of the Father now in flesh appearing,”

⁃ “God is not dead nor does He sleep,”

⁃ “Joy to the world the Lord is come!!”

Like a flock of birds shining in the light of the sun on a bright morning, my soul soars – I celebrate Jesus, the Messiah, my Redeemer, my Savior, my Lord.

Love,

Jill (just one of God’s kids)

His Eye is on the Sparrow

Why should I feel discouraged? Why should the shadows come? Why should my heart be lonely, and long for heaven and home?

When Jesus is my portion. My constant friend is He. His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me.

“Let not your heart be troubled,” His tender words I hear and resting on His goodness, I lose my doubts and fears.

Tho’ by the path He leadeth, but one step I may see; His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me.

I sing because I’m happy . I sing because I’m free, for His eye is on the sparrow, And I know He watches me.

Whenever I am tempted, whenever clouds arise. When songs give place to sighing, when hope within me dies. I draw the closer to Him, from care He sets me free; His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me.

I sing because I’m happy. I sing because I’m free for His eye is on the sparrow and I know He watches me.

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“Look at the birds of the air, that they do not sow, nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not worth much more than they?” Matthew 6:26 NASB