What a difference a year makes.  At Christmas a year ago, none of us had heard of COVID-19. Now we are grateful to know that the Lord is in control.

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1. Last Christmas we were thinking about all the things we didn't have; this Christmas we thought about all the things we do have.

2. Last Christmas we were placing wreaths on the doors of our homes; this Christmas we placed wreaths on the graves of our heroes.

3. Last Christmas we were letting our sons play with toy guns; this Christmas we taught them that guns are not toys.

4. Last Christmas we were counting our money; this Christmas we counted our blessings.

5. Last Christmas we were lighting candles to decorate; this Christmas we lit candles to commemorate.

6. Last Christmas we paid lip service to the real meaning of the holidays; this Christmas we paid homage to it.

7. Last Christmas we were digging deep into our bank accounts to find money to fly home for the holidays; this Christmas we dug deep into our souls to find the courage to do so.

8. Last Christmas we were trying not to let annoying relatives get the best of us; this Christmas we tried to give the best of ourselves to them.

9. Last Christmas we thought it was enough to celebrate the holidays; this Christmas we knew we must also find ways to consecrate them.

10. Last Christmas we thought a man who could rush down a football field was a hero; this Christmas we knew a man who rushes into a burning building is the real one.

11. Last Christmas we were thinking about the madness of the holidays; this Christmas we thought about the meaning of them.

12. Last Christmas we were getting on one another's nerves; this Christmas we got on our knees.

13. Last Christmas we gave thanks for gifts from stores; this Christmas we gave thanks for gifts from GOD.

14. Last Christmas we were wondering how to give our children all the things that money can buy; this Christmas we wondered how to give them all the things money can’t. (peace, security, etc.)

15. Last Christmas we were thinking about all the pressure we were under at the office; this Christmas we thought about all the people who no longer have an office to go to.

16. Last Christmas we were singing carols; this Christmas we sang anthems.

17. Last Christmas we were thinking how good it would feel to be affluent; this Christmas we thought how good it feels to be alive.

18. Last Christmas we thought angels were in heaven; now we know they are also right here on earth.

19. Last Christmas we were contemplating all the changes we wanted to make in the new year; now we are contemplating all the changes we will have to make in this new reality.

20. Last Christmas we believed in the power of the pocketbook; this Christmas we believe in the power of prayer.

21. Last Christmas we were sharing, spreading, and listening to gossip; this Christmas we are sharing, spreading, and listening to the Gospel.

22. Last Christmas we were complaining about how much of our earnings went to taxes; this Christmas we know that freedom isn't free.

23. Last Christmas we valued things that were costly; this Christmas we value things that are holy.

24. Last Christmas the people we idolized wore sports uniforms; this Christmas the people we honor wear police, firefighter and military uniforms.

25. Last Christmas peace on earth was something we prayed for on Sunday morning; now it's something we pray for every day.

- Author Unknown

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Be still and know that I am God… Psalm 46:10 NLT

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If you liked this story and would like a copy of either of my books,
they are available on Amazon in both paperback and Kindle format:

If you have a story or testimony that you think might bless others,
I invite you to send it by email to me (Kenneth Kersey) at godsotherways@me.com.

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