She Speaks in every issue
Higher Grounds Photography
Ashley
,Lucas
CHRISTMAS IS THE CELEBRATION OF GOD’S UNCONDITIONAL LOVE FOR US THROUGH THE GIFT
of His Son, Jesus. In spite of all our selfishness, stupidity and refusal to listen to God, He reaches out to us at Christmas by coming in the person of
Jesus as a vulnerable child. He experienced everything we experience, suffered the punishment we deserve and atoned for our sins by His death
and resurrection--the assurance of eternal life.
As a child, Christmas was a time of anticipation as Advent candles were lit, presents piled up under the tree, and we got ready for my
cousins to visit. The kids went caroling, we all went to church together, made cookies and fudge, and ate way too much! When my brother and I
were young, we would open one gift each time our parents went out to Christmas parties. We rewrapped the gifts so they couldn’t tell! When we
opened them Christmas Day, we shared winks and laughs, and pretended to be surprised. Christmas Day, we had dinner at our house. My great
grandmother Gregg, my great aunts and uncle came out and saw what Santa brought us, and we enjoyed a huge meal. When the family left, we
jumped on our bikes and visited our friends .
When my son Arthur was 7 years old, I loved sitting on the couch in front of the fire with him and reading Christmas stories while we let the advent
candles burn. We even let the dogs up on the sofa for Advent stories, and Arthur loved that! We prayed for children all over the world and for our
family, too.
Christmas is about God’s gift to us of His Son, Jesus Christ. We must be clear and teach this to our children and grandchildren. Christmas means
love, God’s love for us, which inspires us to love others. It is my wish this Christmas for peace in our hearts and in our country.
Ashley Lucas resides in Florence, South Carolina, with her husband Pastor Marion Lucas. She has one son, Arthur McCall, and two stepchildren:
Will Lucas (married to Sarah) and Katharine Lucas. Retired from IBM, Ashley is currently a stylist for Worth New York.
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DECEMBER 2015
SHEMAGAZINE.COM