The Christmas season is a time of year where love is more evident, people become more generous and help the less fortunate in need. A season where people are in a giving spirit and respond not necessarily with just money or gifts. We give of our time, talents like singing or playing music, visiting, or even hosting the family gathering. Most of us wish this attitude could spread throughout the entire year. The stresses nd cares of life can squeeze out the joy the peace and the meaning of the purpose of Christmas.
In spite of all the distractions which are many, there is a mystery beyond the nice big guy in a red suit and white beard, the tree and the lights. The mystery of peace that pervades even in dark times of protests, violence, and war. There is a difference between world peace and God’s peace! God’s peace comes from within. I’m reminded of this great mystery, “No Jesus, no peace. Know Jesus, know peace”.
“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” John 14:27
This great mystery of God’s peace, the ‘Prince of Peace’. “For Christ himself has brought peace to us. He united Jews and Gentiles into one people when, in his own body on the cross, he broke down the wall of hostility that separated us”. Ephesians 2:14 NLT
The mystery of God’s Hope to a hurting, suffering, lost and dying world.
“The mystery that has been kept hidden for ages and generations, but is now disclosed to the Lord’s people. To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory”. Colossians 1:26-27NIV
Knowing the mystery of God’s love, peace, and hope is a reality and can be experienced as we acknowledge Christ as our personal Savior. The Savior born in the manger is the Savior who died for you and me. “For God so loved the world that He gave his one and only Son Jesus to die for us”. John 3:16
In the darkest of times God sent His light into a dark and suffering world to save us from our sins. Yes this mystery of a Savior is a reality, and the Savior who came into the world born miraculously of a virgin birth will soon come back as the King with His kingdom.
“Therefore, since we have been made right in God’s sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us. Because of our faith, Christ has brought us into this place of undeserved privilege where we now stand, and we confidently and joyfully look forward to sharing God’s glory. And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love. Romans 5:1-5 NLT
May the mystery of God’s light, hope, joy, peace and the Christ of Christmas brighten your day. Be filled this coming week with faith, hope, and love my friend.
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Published by Andy
Greetings! My name is Andy Provitola and I live in New England on the South Shore between Boston and the beautiful Cape Cod region.
The purpose of my blogging and writing is to encourage you in your journey here on planet earth. Life is full of pressing issues and problems and my desire is to discover a place for peace, hope, healing, and contentment. I am a follower of Jesus Christ – God’s one and only Son and I discovered these truths along my own personal journey.
Having discovered a personal relationship with God the Father through Jesus Christ does not mean I have to be religious to attain the rewards of heaven. The fact is God provides grace for us and accepts us as we are in His image. In other words, we cannot attain heaven or life eternal on our own, but by God’s loving grace and no merit of our own. Simply by accepting Him by faith and believing.
My goal is to continue to find a balance of life from a spiritual and practical perspective with a purpose to please and glorify God in all that I do because of His ‘Gift of Grace’.
God is not transcendent and so far away that he is out of reach with humanity. God desires that His presence lives within us and not just in the galaxies and the universe. Experiencing the unconditional love of God has been so rewarding and while discovering the truth and purpose for my life. Moving forward in this life is not a sprint, but a marathon when it comes to this race here on earth.
I am blogging because I find it is a good way to connect in a much more effective and efficient way when it comes to communicating and interacting with people that I know or do not know. Blogging and writing challenges me and also stretches me specifically in my thoughts, my mind, my emotions, and my spiritual life. To live a vertical relation with God and a horizontal relationship with others.
There will be a variety of topics and subjects to address including youth, young adults, family, singles, seniors, relationships, etc. Some of the topics will include God’s creation and power, depression, loneliness, suicide, hope, healing, setbacks, financial matters, business, stress, anxiety, care, encouragement, and so much more.
I would like to connect with all walks of life, ethnicity, culturally, other religions, socio-economics, and in so many more ways.
I am currently writing a book and several memoirs about my own life and journey . The journey begins at a young age growing up in Malden, Massachusetts, specifically Maplewood Square to where I am today. I became paralyzed from the waist down as a senior in high school and I share how my life changed for the better!
“But I do not consider my life as something of value or dear to me, so that I may [with joy] finish my course and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus. To testify faithfully of the good news of God’s [precious undeserved] grace [which makes us free of guilt of sin and grants us eternal life]. Acts 20:24 Amplified Version
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