One thing we all discover is the older we get the faster things seem to go. This time of year a very common phrase is, “I can’t believe Christmas is here again.” When you are 5 years old it can’t get here quick enough. When you are 40 years old it seems like it happens every other month. I’m not going to talk about all the pressures of Christmas – we hear that all the time. I am going to talk about the pleasures of Christmas; pleasures that go beyond the beautiful lights, past all the wonderful food and warm toddies. Pleasures that supersede all the gifts under the tree, any office party you have ever attended or even that great ugly sweater you found this year. Sure, buying that really special gift, a gift you might have worked for all year, for your spouse or a special loved one is a pleasure but that isn’t what I am talking about.
For me, Christmas is a reminder. It is a reminder of things and people who made you who you are. For me, those people include the men who are reading this blog. Men who encourage me, men who help sustain me, men who I trust without reservation and men I have the pleasure of watching grow. For me, the older I get, the more I value our relationship and the way it is shaping my life. You guys are helping me finish well. You guys are a Christmas “reminder” for me – a Christmas reminder that cannot come around quick enough. Each of you is an instrumental part of God’s plan for me. In Ephesians 2:10 the Bible says, “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.” How exciting is that? Think about it – “which God prepared beforehand.” It is all part of his “Christmas plan.” Through the birth of his son, Christ Jesus, he made the plan for us to share life together and I am stoked about it.
I pray that this Christmas brings you and your loved ones new pleasures that during future Christmas seasons will be reminders of all the good things our God has provided us with. I love each one of you, cherish our time together and look forward to even more great things in 2020.
Doug's Journey 