| DAILY DEVOTIONChristmas is ComingBy 
Cathy IrvinStaff Writer
 
 CBN.com  
                 I am like a child in a candy shop or a toy store when 
                it comes to Christmas. I can hardly be still and wait for its 
                arrival. I like buying for my family and friends. I love to decorate 
                and plan for my family to come over and enjoy the holidays with 
                me. I like going to my church to hear a concert, seeing a Christmas 
                drama with friends and family etc. There is so much to do. There have been some trying situations in this past year. My 
                sister went to be with the Lord, and then there is the family 
                problem that needs help with after the holidays, and a trip I 
                had to cancel because of a check that didn’t arrive in time. 
                Yet for me those things can’t steal my joy this season because 
                I just won’t let them.  I really believe in God’s Word when it says He gives us 
                peace that passes all understanding (Philippians 4:7). I know 
                we are not to live our lives by what we see in the natural or 
                by our feelings. If so, our emotions would dictate to us daily. 
                We would be living in a carnal state of mind rather than being 
                led by the Holy Spirit. It helps to think about all the good things 
                in my life, and how we should reflect on our blessings not our 
                shortcomings. My Thanksgiving holiday was wonderful. I knew how blessed I was 
                since my son cooked all the turkey and trimmings. “Emeril” 
                the famous chef couldn’t have done it better) and I was 
                able to share time with family and friends. I decorated my entire 
                home before Thanksgiving this year since I was going to help decorate 
                my church a few days afterwards. That was a special time for me 
                since I enjoy decorating so much, especially at Christmas. The joy to me at Christmas is thinking about the fact that Jesus, 
                the Son of God, came to save us and that is the greatest gift 
                of all, our salvation. That gift is like opening a great big package 
                that you can share with all you come in contact with … it’s 
                the gift of His love.  I find it is so much easier to share His love at Christmas. So 
                if you are feeling kind of down, let your spirit be lifted up 
                by reaching out to those around you, sharing what you have, even 
                if it may seem little to you.  The spirit of Christmas is the “JOY” that we can 
                have all year round. Joy and peace are mine to have everyday. 
                Remember to think like a little child and sense all the excitement 
                in the air, because “Christmas is coming.” More from CBN.com's Christmas section More from Cathy Irvin on Spiritual Life Send Cathy your comments 
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