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…and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counseller, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6 KJV

Without a doubt, Christmas is my favorite time of year. I enjoy and appreciate every bit of it – the giving, the decorations, time spent with family and friends, the Christmas movies and TV specials (as of the writing of this post, I think my TV has been parked on Hallmark Channel for it’s Countdown to Christmas series), etc. I look forward to this season the most.

But we all know that the true meaning of Christmas isn’t found in Santa wishes or Black Friday deals. It’s captured in the story of our savior Jesus – His quiet birth on the holiest of nights. As the song goes, yet in thy dark streets shineth the everlasting Light…

I mentioned above that one aspect of Christmas I enjoy is the giving – not because I’m trying to impress, but because it’s a reflection of what was given to me in Jesus. He’s the greatest gift, and because He gave, I give, or try to. I’m so thankful for all that has been given to me this year through this blog – your engagement, support, and your interest. There’s more to come, and I can’t wait to be part of it.

I hope you find special meaning in Christmas this year, and I invite you to follow along each week throughout December for more season sharing.

What’s your favorite part of the Christmas season?

This is the day which the Lord hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it. Psalm 118:24 KJV

This is the last post in my November Days of Thanks series here on New Day. I hope you’ve been inspired to reflect on why it’s important to always give thanks in all things. No matter how tough life gets, let’s aim to keep our focus on being grateful.

The post for this week is actually a repost of the very first entry here on my blog. Enjoy, and thanks for following along this month!

It’s January 1, the most popular new day of all time! What better time to refocus our minds and spirits and work toward becoming who we are meant to be!

A couple of years ago, God impressed upon me to focus on living life one day at a time. Well, duh, isn’t that how one normally lives, one day at a time? 

But this prodding led me to want to start each day as a new day. New as in yesterday is gone, there’s a chance to begin again and do better, be better…

Mostly, though, new meant an intentional embrace of the morning, and, an intentional, conscious choosing to begin the day in the Lord – letting go of the night’s dreams, yesterday’s worries and unfinished work, and pressing into a set of time unseen.

A day that is started in the Lord is one with sure hopes. An acknowledgment of God in the morning allows worship to flow throughout the rest of the day. You are prepared for the day’s work, study, play, and its challenges. One is even prepared to receive the Lord’s blessings.

The Word has much to say about new days. Two of my favorites:

It is of the Lord’s mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness. (‭Lamentations‬ ‭3‬:‭22-23‬ KJV)

But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof. (‭Matthew‬ ‭6‬:‭33-34‬ KJV)

Each day is not just a day, it’s a new day. It’s a day the Lord has made. It’s a day with refreshed energy, renewed hope, and brand new mercies. So on this January 1, if you haven’t already, quiet your spirit, settle into God, and embrace the new. Live with intention!

How do YOU show thanks for each new day?

But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Suffer little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God. Luke 18:16 KJV

This is a repost of an entry from January 2015 here on New Day:

They are 11, five, and three, and are the heart and soul and joy of our family. They are smart and wise in their own merits, and however they understand love, they give it fully and unconditionally.

On my husband’s side are two others, one little girl who runs the household, and one BIG one, in college, learning about life and the tough decisions it often brings. Plus, well, being bossed by his little sister.

These nieces and nephews are the joys of our lives. My husband and I don’t have children of our own, and we are more than blessed to have these young people to play with. They are my dream readers of this blog. Some day, I’d like for them to read these words and realize their purpose. I’d like for them to know how much life and gift they have within themselves, and the Source from which they came. I want them to say, Hey, Aunt Melchee encouraged us to seek faith, to grow in spirit, to be grateful for each new day.

There’s nothing like experiencing life with children. They truly know how to live in the moment. Above all, I hope they never lose that.

The niece I mentioned above, the one in charge of her mother and father and big brother? Watch out. Try to mess up her living in the moment and she’ll get after you with a flyswatter…

Let’s keep children in our prayers. They need our guidance, support, and love.