The Real Christmas Story

Merry Christmas Family & Friends!!

We wish you abundant blessings of Joy, Peace, and Love today and in the coming New Year!

A couple of weeks ago, I read a scripture that shares the historic prophecy and contextual setting, as well as the reality and world Jesus was to be born into. I read these two verses below to our team that serves with us on Sunday's at Pollsmoor at our prayer meeting on zoom, and felt compelled to share it with everyone today.

Micah 5 starts off with a war cry to mobilize troops- a startling setting.

"The people of Israel will be abandoned to their enemies until the woman in labor gives birth. Then at last his fellow countrymen will return from exile to their own land. And he will stand to lead his flock with the Lord’s strength, in the majesty of the name of the Lord his God. Then his people will live there undisturbed, for he will be highly honored around the world. And he will be the source of peace. When the Assyrians invade our land and break through our defenses, we will appoint seven rulers to watch over us, eight princes to lead us. They will rule Assyria with drawn swords and enter the gates of the land of Nimrod. He will rescue us from the Assyrians when they pour over the borders to invade our land." -Micah 5: 3-6 NLT

Wow! What an intense welcome to the world for our savior in the form of an innocent baby. But this was the reality. At the time in the Old Testament, the Assyrian Empire had harsh laws and cruel punishments, and they were notorious for brutally torturing their enemies.

But amidst all of this chaos, battles, and threats in the world Jesus was born into, he was promised to be not only our Messiah/ our savior, but our source of peace. For many, this year has not been one we would label as "peaceful," but knowing we have a source of peace, brings us much comfort.

Yesterday, on Christmas Eve, I received heartbreaking news that my Aunt Inez had passed away. She was the fiercest woman I have ever known. Kind spirited, spunky, filled with contagious laughter, energetic, generous, and always had a twinkle in her eye. Inez made you feel like no time had passed if you hadn't seen her for a while. She was a loving mother, wife, and friend to many. She passed away yesterday with my Uncle Tom by her side in their home in Montana, and the news made me extremely emotional. She fought a tough battle with breast cancer, but she would never let anyone see at face value what her body was going through. She was a warrior, and so I couldn't believe her time to go to heaven had come. I wondered why did she have to go on Christmas Eve? But I could instantly imagine her saying, "Go get 'em Lady! Enjoy! Don't worry about me, I'm just fine." Her passing is a great earthly loss, but a huge heavenly gain.

My Aunt Inez's passing is a reminder to hold family close!! Call your loved ones today, and make time to visit each other. The gift of Jesus Christ's birth is SO precious, and we take it for granted far too often. This world we live in is a beast, but if we choose to live with fruits of the spirit like my Aunt Inez did, I guarantee your short time here on earth will be immensely better. Spread the good news of Jesus's birth and some Christmas cheer, and choose to be filled with joy, have courage and strength wherever you go, to be kind, to be generous, and to LOVE fiercely like my Aunt Inez did. I love you Aunt Inez. This one is for you lady!!

Merry Christmas!

My Aunt Inez (left) 2015

With Love, the Lodewyk's

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 ESV

Have a blessed, and Merry Christmas everyone! May his face shine upon you and give you peace today wherever you are. Much love to you and yours! Sending big squeeze-y hugs!

-Amelia Lodewyk

With Love,

The Lodewyk Family

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