Tag: faith

How to Have a Perfect Christmas

Charlotte BurkholderLeave a comment

December 22, 2025

I had the perfect Christmas for years–in my mind, that is. As I prepared for this wonderful time when children and grandchildren would arrive, I imagined with pleasure just how it would be. The decorations would be amazing, the food delicious (everything being ready at the appropriate time–hot and tasty) perfect gifts, wrapped and ready, everyone having a fantastic time with lots of love flowing all around at all times. Everything was going to be perfect!

It never worked out quite that way.

“Family Stories for God’s Glory” contains two Christmas stories of how my imperfect Christmases turned into perfect ones. The first thing I needed to do to have a perfect Christmas was to not expect it to be perfect. I needed to realize that as an unrealistic goal. We don’t live in a perfect world, and we are not perfect people. The very first Christmas was the only perfect one. Christ came as a perfect Baby who would grow up to die for us so that someday we can live with Him forever in a perfect world.

The next thing I needed to recognize was that God is in control and I am not. When I quit striving and trying to make things happen on my own, He will gladly take over as I relinquish my plans to His. His idea for a two-toned Christmas tree turned out to be much more unique than what I had planned!

1Thirdly, I needed to relax and believe that it’s quite okay if Christmas isn’t perfect or exactly the way I planned. If God is glorified, if we experience Immanuel (God with us), if hearts are touched with His amazing love, Christmas will be fantastic!

Relax and enjoy a fantastic Christmas,

God Bless you and yours,

Charlotte

Link:godinlifesmoments.com

“Family Stories for God’s Glory” is sold on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and Blessings Book Store, Harrisonburg, Va. Books may also be ordered directly from: chburkholder12@gmail.com

Comments are welcome!

Finding Joy Amidst Christmas Mourning

Charlotte BurkholderLeave a comment

December 12, 2025

Christmas joy comes in the morning; Christmas joy also comes in the mourning. Our young grandson found this out one Christmas when he was only eleven-years old. “Family Stories for God’s Glory,” tells the story of how Zach experienced both.

Part of Christmas joy in the morning is waking up with cousins you rarely get to see, excited about the days you will get to spend together. But now that joy was over and sadness had settled in on Zach’s heart as he tried to go to sleep that night after everyone had left for their faraway homes. Zach did what any wise person would do; He went to God’s word for comfort.

He was not disappointed. He opened his Bible to find the exact verse that eased his mourning and gave him the joy he needed.”God blesses those who mourn for they shall be comforted.” (Matt: 5:4 NLT) That joy was lasting and was not diminished by the absence of his beloved cousins.

Christmas can be very sad for various reasons, and joy might feel non-existent. But true, lasting joy can be had when we remember the reason for Christmas in the first place. Immanuel (God with us) came to die so that we now have an open door into God’s presence and can have fellowship with Him.

Are there circumstances making you sad this Christmas season? Do you feel like you are in mourning? Check out the reason for your sadness. Likely you will find it is only temporary, belonging to this world. True, permanent joy for eternity can be yours for the asking.

Joy to the world, The Lord is come!

Joy in Jesus,

Charlotte

Link:godinlifesmoments.com

“Family Stories for God’s Glory” is sold on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and Blessings Book Store, Harrisonburg, Va. Books may also be ordered directly from: chburkholder12@gmail.com

Comments are welcome!

VESSELS OF HONOR

Charlotte BurkholderLeave a comment

July 15, 2024

We all use vessels. We all are vessels. We use vessels to hold stuff. We may put an exotic dessert in a prized china dish or throw the garbage in an old tin bucket. God has a word on this found in 2 Timothy 2:20. Paul explains to Timothy whom he calls his dear son, that the wealthy folk use gold and silver vessels for special occasions, but the common wood and clay ones have lowly uses. Then Paul quickly jumps from talking about pots and pans to us–human vessels. What does your vessel contain when you take a look inside? Paul tells Timothy that if he keeps his life pure he will be a vessel of honor and the Master can use him for every good work.

In “Family Stories for God’s Glory,” you will find a story entitled “Vessels of Honor.” Learn what Carly was carrying in her inner vessel. Carly is a nurse and has many opportunities to pour out of her vessel. Thankfully, Carly is God’s vessel, and when she pours out, other people’s needs are met. Like the frightened grandpa sitting in a rocking chair in his granddaughter’s hospital room. He couldn’t understand why his precious, mischievous, joyful, energetic, toddler lay motionless with tubes and machines attached to her.

Carly sensed his feelings and knew what was needed for this grandpa’s hurting heart. She poured out from her vessel exactly what was needed for Grandpa’s comfort.

What are we pouring out from our vessels? Does it honor our Master?

Be a Blessing, Charlotte