Christmas, redemption, and other gifts

As I stood by the Christmas tree and gazed into the eyes of my precious new grandsons, I was reminded of God’s redemption for 2020.

In July, we welcomed Griffin David Maxwell, and in September, Tripp Robert Williams. These new additions were some of the bright spots of this pandemic year and remind me of God’s goodness in hard times. Redemption means to compensate for the bad aspects of something, to free us from what distresses or harms us. I’ve seen God redeem many things in my life. He has brought beauty out of the loss of loved ones, financial problems, remodeling situations, setbacks in life and strained relationships. In the book of Luke, John the Baptist’s father, Zachariah, prophesied about the birth of Jesus and that he was sent to redeem things. Luke also gives us a great description of all the other gifts God gives us in the gift of Jesus. Luke 1:67-74 (TPT) states: “Praise be to the exalted Lord God of Israel, for he has seen us through eyes of grace, and he comes as our Hero-God to set us free! He appears to us as a mighty Savior, a trumpet of redemption from the house of David, his servant, Just as he promised long ago by the words of his holy prophets. They prophesied he would come one day and save us from every one of our enemies and from the power of those who hate us. Now he has shown us the mercy promised to our ancestors, for he has remembered his holy covenant. He has rescued us from the power of our enemies! This fulfills the sacred oath he made with our father Abraham. Now we can boldly worship God with holy lives, living in purity as priests in his presence every day! enemies, and to enable us to serve him without fear. 2020 has given us many opportunities to walk in fear, but we don’t have to. Fear and peace are always a choice, and you and I get to choose which one we will walk with. I’m so grateful for these two little boys that arrived in the middle of a dark time in our history and look forward with expectancy of how they will impact our world. Jesus arrived at a dark time in our world but he brought hope, redemption, salvation, freedom from enemies and fear. Let’s walk into 2021 holding close to our hearts, all that was given to us in the gift of Jesus and look for his redemption and all the other gifts he provides.

Kathleen Maxwell-Rambie is a Hill Country writer, speaker and podcaster. She is passionate about helping people bring God into their everyday life. She can be reached at kathleenmaxwell1@gmail.com, or you can listen to her podcast on kathleenmaxwellrambie.podbean.com and on her website, www.kathleenmaxwellrambie.com.

Opening the gift of peace

Opening the present of peace at Christmas Kathleen Maxwell-Rambie-copyright 2020 Tears were streaming down the face of the woman that sat across from me. She was exhausted from trying to figure out how to care for her mom who was in the hospital, her children and financial issues that plagued her. “I’m so stressed out,” she stated.

This was the third person this week I’ve heard use those words as they have visited with me looking for prayer, answers and encouragement. Tension, stress, busyness, financial problems are just some of the robbers of the peace and rest for our hearts not only at Christmas time but, other times in our lives. Gifts, shopping and celebration are all a part of the holiday season, but we miss the best present that has already been given to us — the peace that Jesus brings. Many years ago, God looked down and saw the distress of mankind and wanted to provide a better way of life for the people He dearly loved. As I read the Christmas story in the Bible, I have seen one common thread —Jesus was sent to bring us peace. Luke 2:14 recorded the excitement of the birth of Jesus by stating, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.” The angels proclaimed that the heart of God was to bring us peace in the gift of Jesus. Isaiah 9:6 states, “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be upon his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace, there will be no end.” God knew that in this fallen world, we would encounter trials, difficult situations and distress. He gave us a precious gift to enjoy, to use and make our lives better. For many years, I did not open the gift of peace in my life. What I mean is, I did not use the gift God had provided for me. God began to teach me about peace and since that time, I have had many opportunities to open the gift and practice my peace. Eight year ago, around Christmas, my father was hospitalized. Doctors discovered that he had bone cancer and had a short time to live. As I walked the halls of the hospital, I pictured myself being escorted by the Prince of Peace. A peace came over my heart, and my heart was at rest knowing God would help me if I let Him. Changing the way I looked at my situation took away the stress I was battling. I dearly loved my dad and was trying to wrap my head around the news I had just received when I received a call from my mother’s caregiver. “Kathleen, you need to get over here quick,” she stated, with panic in her voice. My mom had been battling a debilitating disease for years. When I arrived at my parent’s home, Mom was gone. I had to go tell my father, his sweet wife of more than 50 years was gone. Again, I opened the gift of peace and used it as I delivered the news. Just two weeks after burying mom and arranging care for my father, we had a fire in our home only a few days before Christmas. I was grateful our home wasn’t destroyed but we had extensive damage and I was already worn out from the grief of losing Mom and Dad’s diagnosis. Again, God was faithful in providing peace; I just had to unwrap it and use it. Jesus said in John 14:27, “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give to you. I do not give you as the world gives. Do not let your heart be troubled and do not let it be afraid.” Each of us has a choice to let our heart be troubled or push it away. Stress is an inside job and is managed by on how we look at our situations. I have some beautiful presents under my Christmas tree. Hopefully, my friends and family will open them, use them and enjoy them. Gifts can be unwrapped and enjoyed or never opened and used. Each of us get to choose. This Christmas, open the gift of peace and then use it throughout the next year. God sent Jesus to give us a better way to handle life, heal our broken hearts and be our provision in any situation we face. I am forever grateful for the gift of peace and pray you will open it and use it every time you need it. May the Lord richly bless you, keep you and give you peace.

Kathleen is a Hill Country writer, speaker and podcaster. She is passionate about helping people bring God into their everyday life. She can be reached at kathleenmaxwell1@gmail.com or you can listen to her podcast on kathleenmaxwellrambie.podbean.com and visit her website, www.kathleenmaxwellrambie.com. 121,500