CHRISTMAS NEWSLETTER 2021

​All is calm, all is bright.  That’s what I keep hearing in my spirit lately.  Silent night, holy night.  The Christmas season is once again upon us.  How are we?  Let’s be honest; how are we REALLY?  Is our spirit calm or is it nervous, stressed, fearful?  Is our personal outlook bright or is the dark and eerie?  Do we have that unsettled feeling and can’t put our finger on why? 
Especially this Christmas there can be all kinds of reasons we may not feel very calm and bright.  The busyness of the season can be the #1 reason.   We want everything at Christmas to be perfect, whether it’s the gifts we buy for others, the food we serve, or the parties we attend.  Sometimes we expect too much and then we’re disappointed.  This year we’re once again still feeling the affects of the pandemic and that may have brought fear into our lives.  Jobs may have been lost or even family and friends have been lost.  No matter how much cocoa we drink and Hallmark movies we watch, we just can’t get into the True Spirit of Christmas.  Where’s the joy?  If you are not calm inside and your outlook isn’t bright, maybe it’s coming from inside us and not external circumstances at all.
It is SO easy to get distracted and this year has been one where the enemy has been hard at work bringing distractions.   BUT JESUS!!  We’re about to finish out this year 2020 and we’re still standing!  We may be a little tattered and torn, but we made it to this season and Jesus came on that first silent and holy night so that we can stand and proclaim His goodness.  He came that we may have life and live it abundantly.  What love!  What grace!  What hope!  Don’t rush through these glorious days celebrating the coming of Jesus.  Soak up all of Jesus you can contain. Then we will spill over onto those desperately needing Him.   May our hearts beat out of our chests as we experience His love; others will feel that heartbeat coming from us, and they want it too!
Let’s turn our hearts toward our Savior.  If we’ve moved away, let’s return to our First Love. He loves us completely and came to bring us immeasurable love and joy. We see Him when we look at our children’s and grandchildren’s face as they laugh uncontrollably, and we find ourselves beginning to laugh along with them.  They are so carefree and trusting.  Oh, that we’d be like a child again.  Even the busyness can be filled with joy! It’s all about perspective. Jesus is the reason for the season so let’s keep Him at the center of all we do, whether we’re baking, making lists, and checking them twice, running errands, or pondering all He has meant to us through this trying year.  Let’s look at that glass of eggnog and say it is half full; or better yet, let’s say it’s completely full! Let’s decree and declare that the fear out in the streets will not cross over the threshold of our hearts and homes.  Let’s not give it any legal entry.  Let’s be intentional about being full of everything He came to bring…love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control!  When we are fully full of Him, we can then spill over onto others who desperately need to know His love.
Impact Ministry prays you and yours know His complete love this Christmas; that you would be full of His love and grace. We pray that even in the difficulties you may be facing, He is your Strength and Great Comforter.  Ruth and the team at Impact love you completely and pray blessings over you now and in the days ahead. For of His fullness, we have all received, and grace upon grace.  “For of His fullness we have all received, and grace upon grace.”  (John 1:16)
Also, Ruth asks that I share with you how very grateful she is for such an outpouring of love, intercession and support she has received in the days following Andy’s passing. She has felt it from all of you.
Much Love and Many Blessings,
Donna Key