Wednesday, December 20, 2006

Merry Christmas

Well, this week's post will be a bit shorter than usual because:
a) we should already be on the road headed to Louisiana
b) I am battling back from a terrible bout of something awful (no I did not eat at Taco Bell, but it couldn't have been worse)

This Christmas we celebrate two children. We celebrate our son. It is our first Christmas as parents. We also celebrate the One to whom he pointed. We celebrate the birth of a child who came to die in order to take away the sins of the world.

This year Ginny & I read about the birth of Jesus differently. Here was God's only son, whom He sent to this world to die in order that we could know Him. What a God.

We hope all of you have a great Christmas. Thanks again for all the encouragement.

Matt & Ginny Mooney

So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger."
Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,
"Glory to God in the highest,
and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests."

When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let's go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about."

So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.

Luke 2

14 comments:

Lisa (Myers) Hartsfield said...

Merry Christmas Matt & Ginny!! I hope this holiday season brings you GREAT memories and is a chance for new adventures.

Thanks again for continuing to keep us all up to date in your lives! Still praying for you in Arlington, TX

Lisa Hartsfield

Anonymous said...

Merry Christmas! I am praying for you as you remember your son. Thanks for keeping us updated. It is a joy to read how God is working in your lives.

Kim

Anonymous said...

I think Eliot has the best view this Christmas!

Anonymous said...

Thank you for the tears that come to my eyes as I read your posts. Thank you for sharing your heart and your story. So great to see you the other day if only for a moment. I love you both and Merry Christmas.
Kymmy

Anonymous said...

Merry Christmas Mooney's. We continue to love you and lift you up. As we reflect on all of the blessings God has shared with us this year, Eliot will be remembered.
Carrie and Mark Uberecken

Anonymous said...

Merry Christmas! When I read your words about Eliot bringing more attention to the gift of His own Son whom God sent to us, I KNEW that this said it for all of us out here. Thank you, Matt and Ginny. With love and a prayer for you to always experience the best that our God can give. Carole Terral

Pam said...

Merry Christmas, dear Mooneys! We pray for you now and in the days to come. Thanks for the update and continued perspective. Godspeed on your travels and may you stay healthy. We have gotten into a tussle with that "something awful" too.

Anonymous said...

Merry Christmas- thinking of you all today!
Catherine and family

Anonymous said...

Matt and Ginny,

So sorry we are just now posting! We have been praying and praying and reading and reading. What an amazing little boy the Lord entrusted you with in sweet Eliot. Your words convey so much...your love for your son AND the Son of God. We pray that you would know the comfort of God and be encouraged by the prayers of His saints. We know you had a clear glimpse of heaven in Eliot, and you must long for home. We trust that the Lord will use your longing to draw others to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. We love you! Love,
Doug, Courtney, and Amelia Greene

AW said...

Praying that the holidays are relaxing for you. We've missed you this week.

Fellow limper,
Andi

Anonymous said...

I am so sorry I am posting this to you so late. I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas and am praying for you all to be abundantly blessed in the new year. Praying for peace and wisdome in God's direction for you all. Happy New Year!

Anonymous said...

All my girls loved their Eliot necklaces! They are so glad to have a tangible reminder of what a precious boy he was and of his beautify legacy! I know that you both will have a purposeful new year!

Kelli said...

Y'all don't know me, but my aunt sent me a link to your 99 balloons video. Someone sent it to her. What a wonderful tribute Eliot. My husband and I had a son in July 2005 who was born with kidney failure. He lived for 13 months. He went to be with Jesus in August 2006. We live in Starkville, Mississippi and our son, Austin, was in the hospital in Birmingham, AL a large majority of his life. Anyway, I just wanted to let you know that your video made me cry. Several outfits that Eliot wore in the video were outfits that my son had! Eliot and Austin are now special angels in heaven running and playing with perfect bodies. Thanks for sharing your video with others.

Kelli Anthony

Anonymous said...

WOW! What a story!
Like you we have a child that is asleep in Jesus.
Sheridan was 27 days from being 3 when she died on Sept 3 2006.
This is lonely journey but made less lonely when you find others on the same journey.
She had a chromosome disorder called Turner Syndome. BUT she died from an antibotic/drug reaction.
May the LORD continue to comfort you.
wrayjournal.com