'Tis the season to remember Jesus' birth.

Hello! It has been officially a year and yes it has been a while. 

For not writing anything is due to my laziness and selfishness. Laziness in that I cannot bring myself to type when I have the interest to write, and selfishness in that I keep my all my thoughts, praises and challenges to myself. Although...there is nothing wrong with keeping these things to myself. Overall, I find that I have a less desire to share with people what I am thankful for, what I am struggling with and etc. (yes - there are exceptions depending on situations). So here I am! I decided to write again because I...hahaha have the desire to! It has been on my mind a lot this month so it is time to take action. 

To quickly recap my year, I would have to say PRAISE GOD that He has been gracious and merciful to me. Being out of university for reals and entering the full time life has definitely been different and challenging. It's nice that people think I am doing well in my relationship with God and "don't need to worry about me", but seriously - do worry because I worry. There have been a lot of downhills where I've put God aside and said "Not now, God" which requires continual repentance every time I do this. I am thankful that God has not turned His face from me and continued to protect and bless me, and that through the Holy Spirit I am convicted of my wrongdoings and prompted me to go back to God. Without Him, I'm seriously dead X_X Hmm, this year has been what this year is and I am thankful for the many first times I've had - first time managing a team and making decisions, first time travelling alone to Israel and being able to step foot in many biblical sites (which made me really happy because I learned a lot!!!), first time pulling an all-nighter for work (I'll try not to complain about this anymore), first time feeling I've aged (no joke, I had to upsize the font on this blog to make it easier on the eyes!! :P), first time sharing the gospel in chinatown toronto, etc. Without these opportunities and challenges, I wouldn't be able to feel grateful and humbled. I'm sure there will be more many first times next year so I am excited for the things to come, where it be good or bad!

So now, to the meat of my post, because this is what I REALLY wanted to write about. CHRISTMAS. It has annoyed me that Christmas has been downplayed to Santa Claus, happy holidays, gifts and decorations. I see that the society has become more secular because they focus on these things. People don't want to offend those who do not celebrate Christmas by saying "happy holidays" but really?! What happened to Merry Christmas?! It just seems that anything to do with Christ, pftttt, needs to be out of the pictures. I fall short on this because I have said happy holidays and move my head to the rhythm of Santa Claus is coming to town (when Santa Claus is not real :O ). To me, I've become easily sidetracked on what I should be focusing on during Christmas. Jesus, who is from beginning of time has come down to earth (John 1:1-5), born of a virgin conceived by the Holy Spirit, to say I love you, we are His and He will restore us of the broken relationship (due to sin) we have with God. What greater gift can there be? And from reading this transcript from DesiringGod (link here), it was refreshing to read that Christmas has a goal, and that goal is Good Friday and Easter - where Jesus, who is holy and blameless and without fault, who is the King of all kings and rulers, shed blood and died on the cross for us, so that we gain salvation and be holy and blameless before God (Colossians 1:13-23). !!!!! Really, 'tis the season to remember Jesus' birth. So Merry Christmas; specifically thank you God for the birth of Jesus Christ. Happy birthday Jesus!

And since I am posting, I might as well do "New Year's resolutions" here (lol! because I am lazy right???) 
Okay, fine. It shall be another post.