Faithbase

Well, hey, good evening, Faith Base. That right there is the last of it. I don't know what you're doing with yours, but we took all of our Christmas lights and decorations down, because that season has come to an end, where we start taking all of that down, and as I was packing that away, my wife, we were taking Christmas decorations off the tree, I was pulling the lights from the house, and while we dismantled our Christmas adornments, it kind of seemed bittersweet, but it also presented an opportunity, I think, to celebrate the beauty of the season that has passed, and embrace the promise of new beginnings, and like I say all the time, it's faith in the everyday. I thought I'd jump on here and share that with you as hopefully a word of encouragement, because as we carefully remove the ornaments, as I pull the lights off of the house, hopefully without breaking any, and I did, we tuck away the memories that are associated with them, and in the midst of that, we need to be reminded that life is composed of seasons, just as the Christmas season brought joy, and love, and hope into our lives, the act of taking down the Christmas decoration signifies the transition to a new season that is filled with endless possibilities, fresh opportunities, and I wanna encourage you to brace it as a moment of invitation as you reflect on the blessings and growth experienced during the Christmas season. You know, the Bible says in Ecclesiastes, in Ecclesiastes, he has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the hearts of man, yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to the end. That's Ecclesiastes chapter three, verse 11, and so as we carefully are storing away our symbols of Christmas, and you might be doing the same thing, or maybe you've already done it, or maybe you leave it out for a little bit. When you do it, if you do it, if you're doing it now, be reminded that the beauty of Christmas is not confined to a specific time or season. Just as God has ordained the changing of seasons in nature, our God also orchestrates the changing seasons of our lives, and our faith in him allows us to trust that he is continually working behind the scenes, making all things beautiful in his perfect timing. That's the good news of the gospel for you and I tonight, and so as I bid farewell to Christmas decorations, as you do the same, they brought joy into our homes, yes, but let us carry the essence of Christmas and the Christmas season in our hearts throughout every day of the year. May the love, the peace, the hope that Christ brought into the world dwell with us on the daily, illuminating our lives, guiding us in our faith journeys as we enter in to each new chapter. And remember, the act of taking down those decorations, it's not an end, it's just gonna help your house be a little cleaner, but it's not the end, it's a beginning. It's an opportunity to embrace the renewal that God offers us daily. And so approach the task with gratitude, gratitude for the memories created, and approach it with excitement for the future that lies ahead, because just as the beauty of Christmas will return, so too will the blessings and wonders of the seasons yet to come. May the spirit of Christmas, may the spirit of our God, the Holy Spirit of our God, inspire us, uplift us, guide us, carve out our steps, and fill our hearts with love and joy every day, every week, and through every season of 2024. Be great and be blessed tonight. We'll see you next time.