Where are you Christmas

This year has not felt like Christmas for some reason. Our house has been decorated since before Thanksgiving, I've watched numerous Christmas movies, and my Christmas cds have been on repeat for weeks. It even snowed in Oxford, twice, but still no feeling had occurred. Once finals were over I told myself, after this I can rest and then focus on baby Jesus. But I have been done for almost a week and still nothing....Until yesterday. I was at my home church, which I am obsessed with, and our pastor is doing a series called "Merry Christmas to Me" Its all about why Jesus came and what Christmas is about. But he is focusing on the intimacy of Christmas between us and our creator. I never really thought about it like that until now.

To be honest I have been focusing on my plans, friends, and family and haven't thought about Jesus at all. Of course its been the normal lets celebrate baby Jesus and sing Joy to the world but I haven't let the true reason of the season penetrate my heart once again because I have been so busy with life. Praise the Lord there is always grace and he forgives but He wants more from us then our leftovers. In some way each of us keeps caught up in the holiday rush and forget the main point of it all

LOVE

This Christmas its all about love for me. Like I said, I have been so busy with meaningless things I have forgotten the most important. For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.- John 3:16

Going back to what my preacher is speaking on this month, the love and intimacy of Jesus Christ. We all know the verses but do we really believe them? God in his holiness, would take on flesh to enter into a sinful world to save sinners who had no hope. And when I say sinners Im talking about ME, Kailey Lauren Kemp. I get so caught up in the little things and forget about this astounding truth. I can even be doing good things like reading the word, praying, trying to reach out to someone, plan a bible study or whatever. but I have been missing the main focus of it all. I have been trying to do and do what I think is considered "good" and what I "need" to be doing. While these things are pleasing to the Lord he ultimately wants our hearts and our love. I make everything about what I think is best. I tend to forget I have a human mind and a sick sinful heart without Jesus.

So this Christmas I want to believe what the scriptures say. I want to return to myfirst love and get back to the basics. Our relationship with Christ isn't about our resume or our to-do list. Its about sacrificing our hearts to him and letting him love us. He is there and waiting to do this. Our works become an overflow of our love for Christ not the other way around. I pray that we can remember what Christmas is truly about. The ultimate display of love that the world has ever and will ever see.

Our pastor has challenged us to think what are we going to give Jesus this year for His birthday? It is slightly ironic how it is His birthday but we spend all of our timeand energy on each other. He definitely doesn't need a pair of socks, cellphone, or new car. He wants our time, love, affection, troubles, and worries. He delights in his children giving him these things. It still blows my mind that He is such a personal God. He cares about our desires, our feelings, and our happiness. The creator of humanity, wind, insects, and nature loves us. Each and every one.

So God created mankind in his own image,
in the image of God he created them;
male and female he created them.

Genesis 1:27

“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart.”

Jeremiah 1:4-5

"Can a mother forget her nursing child? Can she feel no love for the child she has borne? But even if that were possible, I would not forget you! See, I have written your name on the palms of my hands.”

Isaiah 49:15-16

How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him.

1 John 3:1

I pray this Christmas will be different than any other because each year we should celebrate more the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. I pray we can use our money, time, and love all for the glory of Him. If you are looking for something to give to this Christmas here are a list of some of my favorite charities:

http://www.worldvision.org/m/tt1

http://www.amazimastore.org/

http://ijm.org/

Each site has options from necklaces to buying goats for a family in need.

And my gift to you, my favorite blog- http://kissesfromkatie.blogspot.com/

Lets celebrate the greatest love story ever told

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!