Arise! Shine! For thy light has come!

I was asked yesterday to whom am I thankful. It was an easy question to answer. I am thankful to God for the blessings in my life, BUT I do not impress upon people my religious beliefs. I 100% accept that not everyone shares the same beliefs as I do and out of the 452 people who follow the Think Thankfully Facebook page, I do not wish to offend those who do not believe what I do. Occasionally, an image or status quote may have religious undertones, but for the most part, I give everyone the opportunity to believe in Thinking Thankfully to whom or whatever they believe in. My blog, however, is MY blog. It is a reflection of what I feel, what I believe, what I feel compelled to write. 

The idea of being a thankful person does not have to be a religious experience, although for me, the whole notion of being more thankful has brought me back to my religious roots. For quite some time, I found myself wandering in the darkness, unsure of my beliefs or feelings. It wasn't until recently that I seemed to have found my way back. Through my journey to being more thankful, I am appreciating Christmas so much more. I eagerly await December 25 and the birth of the Christ Child.

Today, it seems as though the Christmas story is easily taken for granted, passed over for stories of Santa and Rudolph, Frosty and Ralphie. It seems, year after year, that our ears have become numb as we've heard the story countless times and in a variety of different settings -- the angel's appearance to Mary, Joseph's dream, the road to Bethlehem, the lack of room in the inn, the birth in a lowly stable, the appearance of nearby shepherds, the star guiding the way. The account of Christ's birth found in St Luke, is my favorite. I look forward to hearing it this Christmas Eve, more so than any other year I can remember. This year, as I tried to gain more of my religious footing where Christmas was concerned, I decided to turn to my YouVersion Bible App for an Advent/Christmas devotional. I chose She Reads Truth: Emmanuel, at the recommendation of my daughter. This particular devotional is a 28 day Advent study of the need for, the promise of, and the arrival of the Christ Child, our Emmanuel. Throughout this devotional, I have been given the unique opportunity to take the time to prepare for the moment upon us, to reflect on the events leading up to the birth of Jesus Christ, and in doing so, my sense of Christmas awe returned. 

I remember reading a particular entry this past week that has settled in my head and my heart, Your Light Has Come, from December 13. "We are not left on our own. God is there. How simple and how infinitely wonderful." ~ Ramond C. Ortlund, Jr. The passage went on to say: A candle in a dark room. A baby boy in a stable. Both tell the same truth: Darkness cannot survive where there is light. Wow! The wonderfully bright shining star that was found in the nighttime sky the night the Christ Child was born gives us proof that we will never live in darkness as long as Christ is present in the world. Christmas Day, the light of the world was born...rejoice! As I sit in the quiet darkness of my living room, surrounded by the lights of the window candles, I am reminded of how still darkness can be, but how wonderful the light shines forth for us. 

Until tomorrow, my friends....arise, shine! For thy light has come!!!!

Think Thankfully!!!!