Hallelujah, Light Has Come

This song was playing while my neice Meghan and her family were on their way to Alabama the first time. It touched her and managed to calm her down during this stressful move. I thought it was perfect for Christmas Day. Please hit the arrow to listen to the music while you read on....

Today's post is our group offering to the newborn king. We've all taken our biggest challenges and given thanks for them instead. And for those who suffer this Christmas, know that you are not alone. You are in our hearts and prayers. Holy, holy Christmas all!

-- I am thankful for the really exhausting days with a 5 year old and a 2 year old so that I can appreciate the really good days. *Amie Meschi

-- I am thankful for my lazy, messy children. I have friends with kids who are on drugs, in jail, behavioral problems, unwed parents, and other horrible things; so if all I can complain about is the fact that my kids aren't pulling their weight around here, I have to step back and count my blessings.

-- I'm thankful it's so cold outside, because I have a warm house to go into.

-- I am so incredibly thankful and grateful and blessed to be in a marriage that is centered on Christ... I have had both kinds of marriages and by far a Christ-filled marriage far outweighs the other choice... my husband loves God, loves me and prays for the well being of my children... I couldnt ask for more...A second marriage is very difficult and blending two families into one, especially when the kids are teens, but, again, when God is the center of it, it makes the difficulties bearable. *Cindy Belt

-- I am thankful my house is trashed. . . because the extra mess is from the extra person now living with us fulltime at last, putting his amazing Daddy skills to such good use. *Meg Ferrante

-- I am thankful to live one more winter in this cramped duplex while my husband finishes grad school for what should be a promising career. *Elaina Asay

-- I'm thankful for having been stuck in stand-still traffic for an hour and a half. Had I been on my journey a few minutes earlier I could have been in the accident that caused the backup. Blessings on those actually in the accident. *Anne Mistretta

-- I am so grateful for God’s goodness and timing...I am absolutely certain that He called my husband, Jason, home to be with his family when his Dad took his last breath. Peace in the midst of great sorrow is a blessing for which I am eternally thankful. *Katie Guest

-- I am so grateful for the many losses in my life--and the varied ages and circumstances behind them--for they have prepared me for the work God has called me to. Grief Counseling and support groups… would never have dreamed this was what God had in store! *Barb Kennedy

-- I am thankful for the truth being revealed regarding my husband's infidelity... because it has provided the opportunity (through a wise counselor and God's unending grace and mercy) for us to repair our relationship and to live in truth and authentic intimacy versus lies and false intimacy.

-- It is very busy here, and I am very tired, but I was just thinking (or perhaps it was the Lord gently admonishing me) that I should be thankful for good work to do. *Kelli Sasser

-- Thank you God for the vision before me this morning. Even if they make me unhappy, I will praise You for the extra pounds that make me look more like my Mom and the wrinkles on my face that give me a glimpse of my Dad. But most of all Lord, I am grateful for the fat and wrinkles that reflect my age and the experiences of my life, because they show I have been blessed to live long enough to see my sons married to wonderful wives and my grandchildren come into this world. *Mickie Ferrante

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I AM THANKFUL:

FOR THE TAXES I PAY
BECAUSE IT MEANS I AM EMPLOYED.

FOR THE MESS TO CLEAN AFTER A PARTY
BECAUSE IT MEANS I HAVE BEEN SURROUNDED BY FRIENDS.

FOR THE CLOTHES THAT FIT A LITTLE TOO SNUG
BECAUSE IT MEANS I HAVE ENOUGH TO EAT.

FOR MY SHADOW THAT WATCHES ME WORK
BECAUSE IT MEANS I AM OUT IN THE SUNSHINE.

FOR A LAWN THAT NEEDS MOWING, WINDOWS THAT NEED CLEANING, AND GUTTERS THAT NEED FIXING BECAUSE IT MEANS I HAVE A HOME.

FOR THE LADY BEHIND ME IN CHURCH WHO SINGS OFF KEY
BECAUSE IT MEANS I CAN HEAR.

FOR THE PILE OF LAUNDRY AND IRONING
BECAUSE IT MEANS I HAVE CLOTHES TO WEAR.

FOR THE ALARM THAT GOES OFF
IN THE EARLY MORNING HOURS
BECAUSE IT MEANS I AM ALIVE.

AND I AM THANKFUL:
FOR THE crazy people I hang with
BECAUSE THEY MAKE IT FUN AND INTERESTING TO BE ALIVE.

AND FINALLY, FOR TOO MUCH E-MAIL
BECAUSE IT MEANS I HAVE FRIENDS WHO ARE THINKING OF ME.