Come let us worship the King!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

I hope that your day was full of family with lots of love, warmth, and joy. Wishing you all many blessings this Christmas.

In Uganda, it's been a very different sort of Christmas for me. Most years, Christmas has been about getting everyone gifts, going to several holiday parties, attending school holiday events, being a part of Christmas pageants at church, and spending time at home with friends and family.

With the exception of attending school events, I didn't do any of those things this year. Yes, I skyped with everyone (and their mothers!) at different times and across the many, many time zones, but it still didn't feel like Christmas has usually felt... which has been ok.

This Christmas, I had to decide to celebrate the 'true meaning of Christmas' to borrow the colloquialism. It's not about my feelings, the traditions, or the people. It's about how Christ came to Earth, choosing to take on our flesh, to come as a baby and show us how to have uninhibited access to our Heavenly Father.

"We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain, where Jesus, who went before us, has entered on our behalf." ~ Hebrews 6:19-20

...

"Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body..." ~ Hebrews 10:19-20

...

"To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood, and has made us a kingdom and priests to serve his God and Father - to him be the glory and power for ever and ever! Amen." ~ Revelation 1:5b-6

During this past semester, my 6th graders have been doing devotions on the various names of Christ used throughout the Bible. As Christmas is the day where we remember Jesus's birth, here are some of the names used to describe Him and what He did for us!

Truth ~ High Priest ~ Intercessor ~

Bread of Life ~ Messiah ~ Savior ~ Friend ~

Right Hand of God ~ Atonement ~ Teacher ~

Emmanuel ~ Precious Son ~ Living Sacrifice ~

All in All ~ Head of every man ~ Redeemer ~

Salvation ~ The Lamb

~

• Come, let us worship the King
• Jesus the Savior is born!
• For the Lord will reign over all the earth
• Come, let us worship the King
• Jesus the Savior is born!
• For the Lord is great and greatly to be praised
• Through all the earth
• Let us worship the King.
• ~ Sandi Patty

Especially now, in this season of being far away and without the normalcy of a usual Christmas, I've found so much comfort and joy in knowing that this is what it's all about.

JESUS is what it's all about.

But... I do miss everyone back home. I am constantly praying for you, and praying the Lord would be working through you in whatever situation or circumstance you find yourself in. I'm also praying that He's stretching you and calling you to step out in faith for His Glory!

Thanks to everyone for their Christmas emails, Facebook posts, Skype chats, etc. (oh, technology.) I also LOVED getting several family's Christmas cards via email. What a BLESSING to read them!

A big thank you to Ash and Dani and the other FF Fuller family, for letting me sit in via Skype on your Christmases yesterday :) LOVE YOU!!!