MERRY CHRISTMAS

The Lighting of the Tree at Rockefeller Center

Heather and I with Santa Claus 

So I know I am not that great at this blogging thing.  I love reading other people's blog, but often forget to update my own.  I am still loving Christmas in the city.  I have tried to soak up as much of it as I can!   As you can see from the first picture, on Dec 3 I was able to go with a friend to the lighting of the tree at Rockefeller Center.  In fact, he was able to get us VIP passes, so we had a great view of the tree for the big lighting.  It was fun to see all the live performances and just be a part of the whole night,  a rare privilege I know!  The second picture is from when my friend Heather came to visit.  She was one of my college roommates from WCU.  It was fun to have her up and to get to enjoy the city with her and Yes we did pay a little visit to Santa.  We stood in line with all the other tourist to visit Santa Land at Macy's and have our picture made with Santa.  I guess you are never too old to sit in Santa's lap:-)  I leave on Tuesday to fly home for about 10 days.  I am excited for a little break from the city.  

Between my different jobs here in the city and working with kids, I have had the opportunity to tell/read the Christmas story multiple times to different children.  Last week I was talking through the birth of Jesus to some 3 and 4 year olds.  I was telling them about Jesus being born and how he was the savior, the one who came to die on the cross for our sins.  It is funny how when telling a bible story to children it can just sound so simple, yet how complex it really is.  The gospel is so simple, yet so complicated!  I think it is so easy to get caught up with all the different things that go along with Christmas, and really forget to stop and think about the true meaning of Christmas.  This past week was our big Christmas concert at the school where I work part-time.  As the kids sang out songs about the birth of Jesus I was overwhelmed with just the depth of what some of the words that they sang really meant.  I think it is so easy to sing Christmas carols and not even really pay attention to the richness of the words.  When the angel came to the shepherds in the field and said, "Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a savior, who is Christ the Lord." Those are some powerful words that the angel spoke.  So as I have told the Christmas story over and over again to different kids I am around I have begun to again be struck by the awesomeness of the gospel.  Jesus Christ was born in a manger!  In a dirty stable with animals.  He grew up, he was a carpenter, he discipled 12 men, preached to the masses, performed some miracles, and then he gave his life up on the cross so that I Bethany Griffith would not have to be in bondage to my sin anymore.  He died for me!  He, the little baby that was born in the dirty barn gave his life up so that I could live!  One of my favorite passages in the bible is John 19:30 "When Jesus had received the sour wine, he said, 'It is finished' and he bowed his head and gave up his spirit."   The other day I was just once again thinking about how sinful I really am.  I was feeling guilty over a certain sin and I just started praying to God.  I thought about that verse and the price that Jesus paid for me.  No more do I have to feel guilty or enslaved over my wrong doings.   When he gave up his spirit, it was was finished.  That is the day that Jesus died for me.  He died for me and all my sin.  He did so that I could have life to the fullness.  It is in him that I am saved.  He is my savior!  He is my messiah!  It is funny how I have heard the gospel really since I was a baby.  I did not really understand it until I was about 19, and even now I continue to learn it in new ways and grasp more of it.  It is funny how reading simple bible stories of the birth of Jesus to pre-school kids can teach me and remind me of so much.   I am thankful that I have the opportunity to share this wonderful story with so many young children and have the opportunity to hear it for myself.  In New York and probably in most places now, everyone just says "Happy Holidays".   For me though I want to always say "Merry Christmas."  I am celebrating the birth of Christ.  I hate that we are getting further away from the TRUE meaning of Christmas.  If it weren't for Christ, we wouldn't even have a Christmas.  December 25th would probably just be another normal day.  I am thankful to Christ for what he did for me!  I pray that you too would have hearts that are open to the Gospel.  I pray that as you celebrate this season that you would be reminded of the birth of Jesus and that you would know him personally as your savior!  

  I wish YOU a Merry Christmas!   

~Peace Like a River