Christmas Eve

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

As the Advent season approached and I was diagnosed with cancer we had little reason to celebrate this year. It was a struggle to get into the spirit of Christmas. In the past few weeks so much has happened and I have actually started treating this disease and feel like we are finally taking action to kick this!!

Christmas is to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ our Savior. With out Him I would have no hope, no strength, no comfort to get me through this trial. But I have him as my Savior and HE has given me hope, strength, comfort and the love and support of all of you to help me and my family through this. There is so much to celebrate this Christmas! JESUS!!!

I am also looking at Christmas through the eyes of my children. Their innocence of the impact of what I am going through and just the pure excitement of Christmas! Plus I know what they are getting!!! I know how excited they will be to get what was on their wish lists!

On a "how am I feeling" note, I am still fighting the nausea. The meds help but it still comes in waves and then I have to have ginger ale and saltines to help. I am a little tired but not so much that I can't function some what anyways!! My goal today is to rest so that I have a bit more energy tomorrow! Oh and I FINALLY get my shower after 3 days (since I got my port put in)!! That should help me feel better too!!!

Luke 2:1-21 (ESV)

 ¹In those days^(A) a decree went out from^(B) Caesar Augustus that all the world should be^(C) registered. ²This was the first^(D) registration when^[a] Quirinius^(E) was governor of Syria. ³And all went to be registered, each to his own town. ⁴And Joseph also went up^(F) from Galilee, from the town of^(G) Nazareth, to Judea, to^(H) the city of David, which is called^(I) Bethlehem,^(J) because he was of the house and lineage of David, ⁵to be registered with Mary, his betrothed,^[b] who was with child. ⁶And^(K) while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. ⁷And she gave birth to her firstborn son and^(L) wrapped him in swaddling cloths and^(M) laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in^(N) the inn.

 ⁸And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. ⁹And an angel of the Lord^(O) appeared to them, and^(P) the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with fear. ¹⁰And the angel said to them, "Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all^(Q) the people. ¹¹For^(R) unto you is born this day in^(S) the city of David^(T) a Savior, who is^(U)Christ^(V) the Lord. ¹²And^(W) this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby^(X) wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger." ¹³And suddenly there was with the angel^(Y) a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying,

 ^14(Z) "Glory to God^(AA) in the highest,
   ^(AB) and on earth^(AC) peace among those with whom he is pleased!"^[c]

 ¹⁵When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us." ¹⁶And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby^(AD) lying in a manger. ¹⁷And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child. ¹⁸And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them. ¹⁹But^(AE) Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart.²⁰And the shepherds returned,^(AF) glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.

 ²¹And^(AG) at the end of eight days, when he was circumcised,^(AH) he was called Jesus, the name given by the angel before he was conceived in the womb.