Third month being here. Third month living by myself.
Everyday feels so surreal to be here, everyday is a new blessing, reminding myself of how blessed I am to have made it here.
While a small part of me would love to be prideful and boast on how I managed to travel ten thousand kilometres away from home by myself, but I know that that's not true. Because none of it was my own strength, none of it was my own courage, none of it was my own peace while I left and travelled all the way here. It was all God, none of me. His strength, His courage, His peace within me that had allowed me to go this far. His grace.
As its 2 days till Christmas, I am reminded of the true meaning of Christmas, the birth of Christ, it's not just a special birth, but this birth signifies the beginning of everything, the beginning of the gospel, the starting of the story of Christ, who came to save and redeem our souls. The beginning of the love of God shown through Christ and that we are able to see it and accept it though the Holy Spirit.
"For to us a child is born,
to us a son is given;
and the government shall be upon his shoulder,
and his name shall be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace"
-Isaiah 9:6
This is the beginning of the One who has no sin, but took away sin on the Cross for us. This is where the hope shines, because now, as Christians we have a certain future, not a worldly one, but a heavenly glorious future with Christ, with God.
This birth, is the beginning of Christ's walk to the cross. This birth, is so much more glorious than what we make it out to be. The true meaning of this birth doesn't come from the knowledge of Christ's birth, but it come from the heart, when the Holy Spirit convicts you, and let it hit you in the guts, on how gracious our God is, on how glorious this birth signifies, on how merciful the Father is, to have given us the Son, not just the Son, but the Spirit to lead and guide us on as well.
What does this birth of this special baby two thousand years ago mean to you? What does Christmas mean to you? Just a day to unwrap gifts and spend time with family? What do you hope for most this Christmas, and the New Year to come?
"When I say I'm a Christian, it does not mean that I am holier than thou,
it just means that I'm someone who has received the grace of God somehow."
Hannah
