Christmas is Comfort

December 9, 2024December 9, 2024 Margie HuffLeave a comment

For me, the season is comforting. There is the glow of Christmas lights, hot chocolate in mugs, candles that smell of evergreen, happy children opening gifts, fireplaces, curling up with a blanket to watch a Christmas movie, and warm cookies baking in the oven. Something about the season evokes a warm fuzzy feeling.

The idea of Christmas is so comforting that when one doesn’t feel that familiar sense of comfort, if Christmas doesn’t meet our expectations, it can be devastating. Maybe you are missing someone important from your life this year?

One reason we find comfort in the things of Christmas is because they are familiar. We find comfort in things like old ornaments or decorations that have been put up year after year, old family recipes that we reuse over and over. It might be a feeling or a smell that brings back memories. These things comfort us because they are familiar and hold special memories.

The Names of Jesus are also comforting, especially at Christmas. We hear them repeated in songs, written on Christmas cards. We hear the story about the birth of Jesus, and most of us have heard it since we were young. There are two nativity scenes at my home before you even enter my front door…

For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6

There are around 200 different names and titles given to Jesus in the Bible. Why are there so many names? Why is it so important?

They are filled with meaning and power. It’s like God was telling us everything we needed to know just through his names alone. If I didn’t know anything about the Bible, I would know enough about Jesus just by his names. Whatever we need at the moment, He is exactly that for us. Today, If I need peace, he is that. Tomorrow, I might need a counselor, he is that. He was telling us he is EVERYTHING we need, by his names alone.

Here are a few of my favorite names of Jesus.

The Good Shepherd

Shepherds are a part of the Christmas story. You find those shepherds in the Christmas story in Luke 2.

8 And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9 An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. 11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. 12 This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in clothes and lying in a manger.

Angels spoke to the shepherds who were in the fields when Jesus was born, AND Jesus is our Good Shepherd.

A shepherd’s job is herding, guarding, and tending to his sheep. He makes his sheep safe. Those are the things that Jesus does for us as His children.

Do you need a Good Shepherd in your life today?

I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine. John 10:14

The Prince of Peace (The one who bring peace)

In Luke 2, right after the angel appeared to the shepherds, a great company of heavenly hosts appeared with the angel proclaiming peace on earth. “13 Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”

Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: I do not give as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. John 14:27

Right at the birth of Jesus, the angels proclaim that he would bring peace to the earth. Then again in John, Jesus is speaking and tells us that he is leaving peace with us here on earth. We do not have to let our hearts be troubled, we don’t have to be afraid.

Do you need peace in your life today?

The Redeemer (The one who redeems)

The coming of Jesus in the Christmas story is what brought us redemption. To redeem means to save, make atonement, make right, make amends, etc. Jesus is the redeemer. He is the reason all our sins are forgiven. Every day, over and over, he is one that makes our wrongs right.

1 John 4:10, God loved us and sent His only Son for us so that our sins could be forgiven.

Jesus came to redeem us. This is the very reason why He was born. That is why God sent Him. This is why we have Christmas. He was born so that our sins could be forgiven.

Job 19:25, For I know that my Redeemer lives, and at the last he will stand upon the earth.

I don’t know about you but sometimes my days need to be redeemed.

Do you need a Redeemer today?

Final Thoughts

When we look at the names of Jesus, they each describe aspects of Jesus that can bring us comfort in some way. Even the names that describe His might and power and that could be scary, are comforting in their own way. Just knowing that we have such a powerful God, who is a righteous judge, tells me He can handle my enemies.

I don’t have to worry about the Lord having trouble knowing right from wrong. I don’t have to worry that He will remain faithful. I don’t have to worry that He will always be there and do the right thing.

Each name of Jesus represents something that we can connect to, that we can cherish.

So, with all those uses in mind, let’s use the names of Jesus as they were intended. Let’s greet Him by His names in our prayers. Let’s use His names to call out when we are seeking Him. Let’s use the names of Jesus to bring us that comfort and peace that we need.

Feeling like you need guidance? Try, Dear Everlasting Father.

Feeling like you’ve lost your way? Try, Dear Good Shepherd.

Feeling chaos or anxiety? Try, Dear Prince of Peace.

Feeling like you’ve messed up? Try, Dear Redeemer.

Grab hold of the power of those names. You are calling out the attributes of Jesus when you do this. You remind yourself of His ability, and you remind Satan that your God is ALL THESE THINGS and more.

See the list below for more names of Jesus and associated scriptures. (There are many more not listed!)

What do you need from Jesus today? He can be that for you!

Everlasting Father Isaiah 9:6	Alpha & Omega Rev 1:8
Savior Luke 2:11	Lord of All Acts 10:36
Immanuel (God with Us) Isaiah 7:14	Son of Man Luke 19:10
The Word John 1:1	King of Kings Rev 17:14
Light of the World John 8:12	Our Rock Psalm 62:1
Messiah (Christ) Acts 2:36	Our Helper (or advocate) John 16:7
Deliverer Psalm 18:2	Mighty God Psalm 95:3-5
The Vine John 15:1	Love 1 John 4:16
Lamb of God John 1:29	The Truth John 14:6
Great High Priest Heb 4:14	Teacher John 13:14-15
Bread of Life John 6:35	Resurrection & Life John 11:25
The Gate (or Door) John 10:9	Healer Exodus 23:25

Travel

I Use to Say That Too.

July 28, 2020December 9, 2024 Margie Huff1 Comment

I use to say that too, that people weren’t victims, that they have control over the way their lives turn out. But, after spending many years working in low income housing communities, and hearing children discuss which gangs their daddies were in, which color bandana they wore, watching their daddies and brothers and uncles get shot and killed, I will never again say this. One little 8 year old boy cried on my shoulder and asked me to pray for his momma cause he found his little sister dead in the bed. He didn’t know that Jesus could help him too. He thought Jesus was just for those other people who didn’t live where he lived. He will grow up to be a man, maybe living in the same area, maybe with the same experiences as his father. Sometimes the trauma we experience, which I have no real understanding of, undeniably shapes our futures. Some can escape the damage, but for others, its nearly impossible. I learned an important lesson. I will hold my tongue before I speak. I will search for the pain behind another’s words and actions. I will love and accept, even if I don’t understand.

Early Arrival Surprise

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The baby goats got to come home a little early! They were due to arrive in May, but I begged and pleaded. Finally, the breeder decided let us have them a week early. We picked them up and drove home with two goats in our truck bed. It was quite the funny experience; however, I realize this is probably a totally normal and boring experience for “actual” farmers. They seem to be adjusting really well to their new home. The first night they cried every time we walked away. Their cries were MUCH louder than I expected. All our neighbors now know when snuck goats into the city limit. Oops!

We put up a temporary shelter for them with some pallets since our mini barn isn’t built yet. (Hopefully, its going up within the next week or so.) Finally, to get them to be quiet, I propped up some things in front of their little shed so they would be totally enclosed. They liked this set up MUCH better and were quiet the rest of their first night. Today, they are playing, munching on all the fresh tall grass in their pen, and looking very happy. Just a few hours after their arrival, they seem to be settling in perfectly!

Homestead

Farm Fence is Up!

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The fence was a two day process and measures about 80x80ft. It will house the goats that are coming in May and all the chickens. There is talk about the possibility of a mini horse, but we will see how this goes first. The first day we spent measuring for the fence, digging holes and placing the corner posts, and pounding in each t-post. My dad came to help since we had never put up a farm fence. He brought my boys a four wheeler and that made their day! They’ve already combed some awesome trails through the woods behind our home and spent one entire day “muddin” as we called it when I was growing up in Kentucky! Outdoor life is the best life for a kid (and for grown-ups like me.)

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Day 2 was used to install my repurposed gate and stretch the wire between each corner post. This process is definitely easier with a few extra hands. My oldest son was on the four wheeler controlling the winch to stretch the fence as tight as possible. The fence looks amazing a pretty much disappears into the landscape of our yard. I never knew I could be so excited about a fence! This means it’s almost time for the baby animals to arrive! It’s been a dream to have a little land we could spend our lives on and this place is just that!

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This weekend we plan to put in our garden and get the corner posts in the ground for the mini barn going inside the fenced area. Next week, we hope to start on the barn! I’ll post updates as we go along!

Homestead

Mini Backyard Pine Forest

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Before

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We have so many beautiful pines on our property behind our home, and they were a mess! The kids jumped in, and we spent a couple days cutting out the lower branches and dead limbs. See my husband with the saw in the bottom right photo?

After

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It looks like a park back there and its my new favorite spot in the yard. I love when pines umbrella over head giving you the richest forest-y smell in the world!

Beyond the tree line are some gorgeous, VERY OLD trees we wanted to play in. We cleaned it up a bit and found the perfect tree for climbing! Still trying to determine what type of tree it is. Possibly sassafras? The largest sassafras in the world is in Owensboro, KY, which is a short drive from us and thought to be at least 300 years old. So, this one might be a few hundred years old too!

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Below is the future home of the fencing and shed for the baby goats arriving in May!

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If you are curious about our new home here in Indiana, here it is! Also, this is a great photo of the amazing sycamore tree!

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Come back soon for fencing and shed progress for the cute little goats!