Merry Christmas from the Women's Ministry!
Below is a special Christmas encouragement from Caroline Ivashenko’s recent message given at the Moms Group Christmas fellowship. Caroline leads the marriage ministry alongside her husband and the moms group along with her daughter. You are warmly invited to attend either or both ministries in 2023!
Last year I received a small pamphlet from Focus on the Family that caught my attention: “5 Myths That Can Trash Your Holidays.” The cartoon pictures in it were comical.
Myth 1: Every holiday gathering with family is filled with peace and goodwill. If you’re looking forward to a holiday free of stress and drama, you might be disappointed. Spending time with those we love isn’t always easy during the holidays. Accept that you can’t change your relatives. You only have control over yourself.
Myth 2: Connecting during the holidays will compensate for disconnection throughout the year. Christmas is the most wonderful time of the year, full of grace and hope, but you cannot expect to cram an entire year of family togetherness into one season. Therefore, make your goal to be a servant this holiday season to those you love. “Even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve…”(Matthew 20:28)
Myth 3: Taking time for you and your spouse is selfish. To combat this misconception, incorporate “couple moments” into the holiday’s activities whenever and wherever you can. Consider going Christmas shopping together and grab a cup of coffee. Listen to Christmas music as you wrap gifts together. Capture the simple moments.
Myth 4: Family gatherings should look like a scene from a Hallmark movie. The birth of Jesus Christ was anything but typical! Establish meaningful traditions and celebrate the birth of our Lord and Savior. Watch your expectations and be realistic. Relax and enjoy your family. (In my home we have an “unplugged be present box” where all my family members put their cell phones in order to help us “be present.”)
Myth 5: You can take Christ out of Christmas. Keep in mind the reason for Christmas, and you will have a holiday full of hope, joy, and peace. Whatever you have faced this year, remember that God sent His Son to be your Savior. You can face the new year because of that blessed gift! Without Jesus Christ, there is no Christmas! Read the Christmas account together as a family and discuss its true meaning.
Now let’s talk about JOY! The biblical definition of joy is “a feeling of good pleasure and happiness that is dependent on who Jesus is rather than on who we are or what is happening around us.” Joy comes from the Holy Spirit as we abide in His Word.
“But the angel said to him, ‘Do not be afraid, Zacharias, for your prayer is heard; and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you shall call his name John. And you will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth.’” (Luke 1:13-14)
“For indeed, as soon as the voice of your greeting sounded in my ears, the babe leaped in my womb for joy.” (Luke 1:44)
“Then the angel said to them ‘Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.’” (Luke 2:10-11)
I exhort all of us to have joy this Christmas season and throughout the year! If you have given your life to Jesus Christ, you have been born again! Romans 8:11 states, “But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you.” God dwells in us! What an incredible thought!
My mother-in-law, Bozena, used to tell my friends and I to wear color. She used to elbow me and say, “Honey, look at Karen, she is wearing a beautiful color top.” She didn’t understand why beautiful women would wear black or gray. Ladies, I will not tell you what color to wear, but there should be joy on your faces! We have JESUS: the only reason for the season. HE is our Living Hope and our everlasting JOY!
“Be glad in the LORD and rejoice, you righteous; And shout for joy, all you upright in heart!” (Psalm 32:11)
Merry Christmas,
Caroline Ivashenko
For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Isaiah 9:6