Merry Christmas from Mari Makes!

watercolor on paper by Mari Fray Foster © Mari Makes

"In the beginning was the Word,
 and the Word was with God,
 and the Word was God. 

He was with God in the beginning.

Through him all things were made; 
without him nothing was made that has been made. 

In him was life, and that life was the light of men. 

The light shines in the darkness, 
but the darkness has not understood it." John 1:1-5

A very Merry Christmas dear friends! 

I am thankful for you today, and praying for you. I hope your holiday is filled with hope, joy and laughter and reflection these next few days!

"My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus' blood and righteousness..."

Being an artist and having a thoroughly creative-type personality, it's easy for me to get caught up in all the stress and concern with making and crafting of perfect gifts and decorations (like so many others with various tasks that come with the season). Those things are all good things, but it is too easy to become swallowed up in them alone and completely miss the point of why we celebrate.

"I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people..."

Christ the baby that was born in a stall is the same Christ who was nailed to a tree, living and dying as a servant, and rising again to free us from the bondage of sin and despair. This is just as true on January 1 as it is on Christmas or Easter, as it is true every single minute of every day. 

May you be filled with everlasting joy and hope today, and every day!

I leave you with some truly beautiful music that warms my soul, and will hopefully do the same for yours.

"Did you know, did you know 

It was God's own son?  

The salvation of the world begun?
Did you know it was love that was sent from above,to the Earth?"

Natalie Sleeth, 1976

A beautiful recording of an amazing song. Visit Hue & Hum

For more beautiful recordings of hymns, check out Redemption Hill Music

and Sufjan Stevens' Songs for Christmas

Thank you for reading!