When they saw the star they were overjoyed. On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold and of incense and of myrrh. (Matthew 2:10-11)

As the Christmas season approaches, I ask myself, “Will I see the Christ child, really see Him, in the midst of all the holiday distractions?” When the wise men saw Him they bowed down and worshiped. More than anything else this year—and you probably feel this way too—I want my Christmas to be about worshiping my Lord, the Prince of Peace, Emanuel-God-With-Us. Let’s once again offer Him the treasure He most desires—our hearts, our lives.

Joy and peace!

Ruth

Welcome to Comfort Cafe, an ezine and resource center offering hope, help and healing for women facing difficult life challenges.

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Subscribe to our monthly ezine and automatically qualify for our drawing. This month’s door prize is Michele Howe’s book, Still Going It Alone. Howe offers support and biblical guidance for single mothers entering the empty nest years:

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Sharon Famonure, Nigeria; Stephanie Echols, Oklahoma

Ruth’s Blog

Comfort Cafe’s editor, Ruth Wood, brings a personal connection to the site through her blog. Her latest posts are: Mary Tells Her Story, Coping with Loss.

Photography Blog

Deb Allen is the author of Creation Speaks—short devotionals illustrated by beautiful photos she’s taken of nature. Enjoy her latest posts at Creation Speaks.

Coffee Shop Concert—Phyllis Modarelli

I am a single mom working a ton of hours outside the music ministry …I am so blessed to have seen so many miracles…My daughter suffered from a brain hemorrhage when she was fourteen and had brain surgery…We have been in many valleys, not sure where we would sleep or when we would be free of an abusive step dad and ex-husband that stalked us for years…

Columns

Miles to Go, by Marianne Miles—I understand weakness. I do. I understand disability even more in this last year, since I developed degenerative arthritis. Many tasks became impossible or uncomfortable… Receiving the Gift of Weakness

Articles

After some poking around on the internet, I’ve put together a collection of some of the best articles I’ve found on Christmas. My favorite one is “A Faceless Visitor.” Best Christmas Articles to Warm Your Heart, collection by Ruth Wood

Relationships are continually shifting and being redefined, and it seems that as we approach the holiday season, when we’ll be spending time with both friends and family, these pearls of wisdom from our “Relationship” chapter in The Art of Authentic Friendship are something to strive to wear and give out at every gathering this Thanksgiving and Christmas. Pearls for the Holiday—Actions and Attitudes to Wear Every Day, by Judy Dippel

Everywhere in the secular media I’ve been hearing and reading about the critical problem of poor self-esteem among our young people. Two Sources of Self-Esteem: Secular and Christian, by Randy Alcorn

My husband says we are living in “Box Canyon,” and it really is true. There are pathways through the rows of boxes like a maze throughout the house. Boxes, Boxes, Boxes by Tammy Lou Hensel

Devotionals

Are you ready for the holidays? For some people, that question spurs exciting thoughts of beautifully decorated tables filled with scrumptious meals, festive shopping trips, extended family time, brightly wrapped gifts under a tree … the “Walton” kind of holiday. For others, the holiday season is a very difficult and dark time that is to be endured rather than enjoyed. Are You Ready for the Holidays, by Mary Southerland

Today will no doubt be a day the little boy will remember the rest of his life. The Gift, by Phyllis Nissila

The designers of a brand new hospital in our community wanted to create as peaceful a place as possible for patients and their loved ones. God’s Lights, by Phyllis Nissila

It seems it gets earlier each year that we are thrown into the commercialization of Christmas. However, the season is more than sales and decorating. Reflections of Christmas, by Sue A. Winchester