Point Of Grace – Heart For The Holidays

CCM: Have you discovered something that helps posture your heart for Christmas peace?
SB: I found a book a few years ago—it’s sort of like an Advent calendar in a book— called The Greatest Gift: Unwrapping The True Love Story Of Christmas by Ann Voskamp (buy). It changed the way I think about the holidays. It’s one of my little secrets, except it’s not really—I tell a lot of people about it [Laughs]—because it helped change the spirit of Christmas in my own heart

Point Of Grace talks a lot in our concerts about remembering the story, and remembering that we are a part of and the continuation of the greatest love story God has written for mankind. And that this was the point [in time] when it all began to be fulfilled and come to life. So I love that Ann takes us back to the Old Testament, to Isaiah, starting around December 1 and 2, and reminds us of the deep historical roots of the foretelling of the coming of Christ to save the world.

I remember a quote in her book that says, “Fear is but the notion that God has forgotten us.” I have never forgotten that quote. Fear is so rampant in our hearts, in our heads, in our society, and there is no place for that, especially in this season. If you for one second believe that God has forgotten you, then you really have a bigger problem with your faith. But if you trust that God has the capacity to never, ever forget you, and I do believe that, then I think that quote will bring you a lot of peace and comfort—that He does have our best interest at heart. And He hasn’t forgotten us. And He doesn’t want us to be spinning our wheels in fear.

CCM: How has music helped keep your mind and heart centered on the main message of Christmas?
Denise Jones: Music has always been my love language. Music speaks to my soul. I grew up in a musical family and we sang together in church. I sang in choirs. And when I am quiet and alone it is the songs I grew up singing that resonate in my mind and my heart.

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