Christmas already?

Is it really only 4 days until Christmas? Oh my…well, the past couple weeks have both flown and dragged by. I was busy rehearsing and playing with the band for Moody’s massive Christmas production (Candlelight Carols) that they put on every year as a part of their ministry. Forty hours of extra rehearsals and performances, on top of classes and homework, makes for a busy couple weeks! After which, we had a week of projects and papers, and then a week of finals. The last few weeks were tough on me in many ways, but God was once again faithful and helped me through. Specifically this past week, God has brought one of my favorite poems back to my thoughts – “Footprints”. I have copied it here for you, though there are many different versions…

One night I dreamed I was walking along the beach with the Lord. Many scenes from my life flashed across the sky.
In each scene I noticed footprints in the sand. Sometimes there were two sets of footprints, other times there was one only.
This bothered me because I noticed that during the low periods of my life, when I was suffering from anguish, sorrow or defeat, I could see only one set of footprints, so I said to the Lord,
“You promised me Lord,
that if I followed you, you would walk with me always. But I have noticed that during the most trying periods of my life there has only been one set of footprints in the sand. Why, when I needed you most, have you not been there for me?”
The Lord replied, “The years when you have seen only one set of footprints, my child, is when I carried you.”
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Mary Stevenson, 1936 (this is the oldest version found, as this poem’s author is not known exactly)

This is the promise that God has given to each of us – He will be with us always. I know that through these tough times, God is the one carrying me through, as I do not have the strength to make it through on my own. My favorite Bible verses continuously remind me of this fact as well – Romans 8:38-39 – “For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created things shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” We are loved and will forever be loved as His children. He will carry us through, if we just rely upon Him.
This is the season that many will hear of the ‘story’ of Jesus. To me, it is not just a story, but a real-life event about a real and living person. Jesus Christ really did come down to earth as a baby, born to a virgin (Mary). He grew in wisdom and stature, and went out to gather followers and disciples. He spread the word about different morals and behaviors, but also about the second coming that we are still waiting for to happen. He wanted people to believe in Him and His desire for our lives. God sent His Son-Jesus Christ-to come to earth to die on the cross to pay the penalty for our sin, which has separated us from the ability to be with God. Christ was then buried, rose from the grave, and is alive forever today. With that debt paid for us, we now only have to confess our sins asking forgiveness from God, accept that Christ is Lord, and believe in Him and what He accomplished for us. Those who are believers can have the hope and assurance of an eternal life with God. Forever together, and all one has to do is trust in Christ alone as your personal Savior and you will have everlasting life. What a simple thing that gives many so much true joy!

In this Christmas season, a season of hope for many, but of grief and sorrow for others, will you remember that no matter what, God is with you and will carry you through?