Dear Beautiful Ladies, Waiting Patiently on your Master,

I pray this little supplement finds you enjoying and serving your precious families. What a joyful season it is! Reflecting and celebrating our Lord’s first coming is always so exciting to me! Of course, many argue that He wasn’t born in December, but during a warmer season. The truth is, it really isn’t important! What matters is HE CAME! He loved us enough to step down from His mighty throne in Heaven to walk among sinful man, to know the limits of humanity, and most of all to REDEEM us! We were dying in our sin! But He paid the price with His own precious blood. No more sin offerings, no more animal sacrifices required or even needed. He was our final Passover Lamb. The sacrifices He longs for are those of worship, pure hearts, and holiness.
It is not hard to get caught up in all of the “other” things around Christmas time, such as shimmering lights, gift giving, parties, traditions, and more. It is also easy to joy in Christ’s birth when everything around us is going well and pleasing. This has been a hard time of year for me, personally. My extended family is still crippled by my Grandfather’s passing. My Mother is very tired and my Dad’s health is growing worse. But in the midst of chaos, the REASON I celebrate remains the same. JESUS! There is joy unspeakable in Him alone!
Let us continue to focus our eyes on our true Bridegroom who will never disappoint us. He longs for us with a holy jealousy. He longs to be the Lover of our Souls in every way.

Driving home one afternoon, I heard a song on the Christian radio station that captured my heart in a way it had not before. As I heard the words, it was all so new and the anointing fell upon my heart like a much anticipated snow at Christmas time. Isn’t it exciting when you hear the same old thing, but God makes it brand new and it’s like the first time? Well, this was my experience.

Breath of heaven
Hold me together
Be forever near me
Breath of heaven
Breath of heaven
Lighten my darkness
Pour over me your holiness
For you are holy
Breath of heaven

Wow! This is known as Mary’s song and a guess at how she may have felt when she learned that God had chosen her to carry and birth His only Son.

I have traveled many moonless nights
Cold and weary with a babe inside
And I wonder what I’ve done
Holy Father you have come
And chosen me now
To carry Your Son

Suddenly, as I listened, tears easing down my face, I realized again- for the first time that God did not chose Mary because she was talented, or beautiful, or intelligent, or even from royal decent… But because she was *willing*. She could have been all of the other things as well, but without a willing heart and a desire to be a vessel for her Lord, the other things are all so vain. Oh, thank you Lord! There are so many things I am not, but I *can* be willing, by Your grace! Dear sisters, those are the ones He does amazing works through. The willing ones. Those who say without reserve, despite uncertainty and fear, “Be it unto me according to thy word.”

Do you wonder as you watch my face
If a wiser one should have had my place
But I offer all I am
For the mercy of your plan
Help me be strong
Help me be
Help me

We may wonder, “How could it be possible that He could do this in me?”. May we not question and just receive what He has planned! May we be willing to obey whatever the cost. May we dare to be “radical” for Christ!

As you reflect on the first coming of Jesus, the King of Kings, may you, like Mary, find yourself swelling with a vision God has placed inside you. One you know is not possible in and of yourself- one conceived by the Holy Spirit! May He reveal to you all over again that it is for this reason you were created! To worship Him, to spend time in His presence, to help build His Kingdom, to be an example and a Titus 2 and Proverbs 31 woman! May you trust Him with every minute detail of your life and know that the God who has created your heart is the One that has put each beautiful, wholesome desire therein.
My prayer for you during this joyful season, is that you are able to enter in to an even deeper, more intimate relationship with Jesus as you celebrate His first coming, and anticipate His second.
May He bless you and your family richly in the coming year!

Love,

Candace

She will bear a Son; and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.
Matthew 1:21