So That Was Christmas?

Well, another Christmas holiday just completed, another year almost done.  The houses are in midst of heavy cleaning from all the parties; the presents are unwrapped, returned, put away or thrown out and still many more are sick from way too many cookies.  While some are resting comfortably on their time off, most are extremely tired attempting to go back to work and pretending to be happy they are there.

And yet another year is gone, so the same question remains.  Was it about Christ or about us?  About God's plan to glorify Himself in making a way for sinners or about our gifts, parties, money, families and everything else.  Rest assured, God has richly blessed all of us in Team Doughten with plenty of the things we hold so dear.  In fact, just being able to say you are a member of Team Doughten is in and of itself a blessing, as many will never know the love of a family such as this one.

However, we continue to ask the question, God were you glorified in us this year?  Did we make the most of each opportunity to effect others for You?  Did we emphasize Your name and the name of Jesus, or did we make it about something or someone else?  Sadly, I can say for myself, it was about me and my things more than God and His things.  So, another year to ponder, to let his grace renew and grow me into surrendering my world view and fixing my eyes on the Author and Perfecter.

Let us as a family pray that our desire for the coming year as well as next Christmas be as it was for Christ:  

"He who loves his life loses it, and he who hates his life in this world will keep it to life eternal. If anyone serves Me, he must follow Me; and where I am, there My servant will be also ; if anyone serves Me, the Father will honor him.  Now My soul has become troubled, what shall I say, 'Father, save Me from this hour? But for this purpose I came to this hour.  Father, glorify Your name."

Humbly,
Aaron  

p.s. never fear this serious post; fun and pictures galore from another blessed Christmas are coming soon!