Hello dear readers. I’m still in my pajamas at ten o’clock on Christmas Eve morning, sitting in front of a fire and intentionally slowing my pace for the next few days. I still have things to do – presents to wrap, a ball of cookie dough to divvy into little balls and bake and a table to be set – but I am definitely taking a few days off from work. However, first I wanted to touch base with you and wish you the merriest Christmas.
We are thrilled to have Abigail with us this Christmas. Since she is getting married in May we know that Christmases with the kids will probably start being every-other-year affairs. But she and her fiancé, Andrew, decided to spend the holiday separately with their respective families this year. He will be joining us the day after Christmas for about a week, and we’re definitely looking forward to that time.
Daniel and Stephanie will not be with us this year. We met him at a halfway point between Cincinnati and Columbus yesterday just for a short visit. Since Stephanie is a pediatrician and needs to be at work consistently, they feel like it’s best to minimize any chances of getting or spreading the Coronavirus. I hate this illness and what it has done to life as we knew it. But, like many of you, we will choose joy and celebrate the hope of Emmanuel despite our current circumstances.
Really, my children’s absence from our celebration is a mild inconvenience compared to what I know many of my readers are enduring this holiday season. I know from your emails and comments that many of you have lost your spouse or other dearly loved ones this year, not necessarily due to the pandemic, but to some equally destructive force of this broken world we live in. Please know that you are on my heart at this time. I cannot imagine the mixed emotions you must feel during Christmas. I am praying for you today, dear friend.
My prayer is that you will experience God’s presence and comfort throughout this holiday season and beyond like never before. I pray that He brings to your mind His words of comfort and peace, and that you feel and experience His grace and love in abundance, both through that gentle, spiritual presence and the gifts, encouragements and gestures from loved ones. Here is a scripture I read just today that I encourage you to cling to if your heart is aching this Christmas:
He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.
~ Psalm 147:3
Please know that God can and will heal your hurting heart. Lean into Him during this season of grief and know that He can turn your sorrow into rejoicing once again, as foreign as that thought may seem.
Honestly, my own heart is a little heavy this morning, just thinking about the uncertainty and stress that we all live with in this world right now. Regardless of where you stand on political and social issues (that we absolutely will not address here on this blog), I know that we all grieve for the things we have lost in the past two years. Life feels a little harder than in recent years, a little more confusing. Even our celebrations feel bittersweet these days. And changes seem to be happening at such a rapid pace that we begin to feel a little like we’re on a run-away train that is taking twists and turns at a perilous speed.
Oh my goodness, sweet lady, please know that I struggle with those same anxious thoughts that keep you awake some nights and to which you awaken afresh some mornings. They take the breath out of me at the strangest times.
But I also know in my core that God is in control. I know that He is good and able and involved. I read these verses just yesterday in my daily Bible reading. They’re from Habakkuk, one of my favorite books in the Bible.
Habakkuk: “How long, O Lord, will I call for help, and You will not hear? I cry out to You, ‘Violence!’ yet You do not save. Why do You make me see iniquity, and cause me to look on wickedness? Yes, destruction and violence are before me; strife exists and contention arises…”
~ Habakkuk 1:2-3
God: “Look among the nations! Observe! Be astonished! Wonder! Because I am doing something in your days-You would not believe if you were told.”
~ Habakkuk 1:5
This Christmas, as we remember that God quietly sent a Savior into the world in a small village on the backside of nowhere, only alerting a group of smelly shepherds and band of traveling wise men, let’s rest assured that He is still “doing something” in this mixed up world of ours. Just because we don’t see or hear or even feel His work does not mean He is idle. Let’s trust God is at work. God has not abandoned us; but He is intricately and powerfully involved in the affairs of men.
Plus, He has promised to always be with us through the person of Jesus Christ and His Holy Spirit. Let’s rejoice in Emmanuel, God with us, this Christmas.
Well, I really didn’t mean to preach us a sermon, but taking this little time with you in front of my fire this morning has helped me to gain a little perspective. Isn’t that the way it works? As we try to encourage and strengthen others we find a little renewed hope and faith for ourselves? I do so badly want us all to enter into this weekend with hope, faith and love. I like to say that hope gets us back up on our feet, faith get us walking in the right direction again and love causes us to engage well with others and do a little good along the way.
So my Christmas wish for you is that you lay hold of those three precious commodities: hope, faith and love. Lay hold of them and then give them to someone else, too. There is no gift you can wrap and put under the tree that is as valuable and meaningful as taking a few minutes to pass on the gifts of hope, faith and love.
Bless you, dear ladies! You are precious indeed to me. Thank you for all your well wishes and regards in recent posts. I read each and every comment, and they are such a blessing and encouragement to me. If I don’t reply usually it’s just because I feel like I talk here so much anyhow. And I like to let you have the floor, so to speak, in the comments. I wish you all a merry Christmas, whether you are alone or your home is full of visitors. I pray that you all stay healthy and safe, too. But most of all I wish you a full and deep understanding of God’s love for you, expressed through His gift of Jesus, our Savior and Redeemer.
Merry Christmas!
I Welcome Your Comments
I always love to hear from my readers in the comments. I will be taking at least a few days off to focus on the meaning of the season and to enjoy my family and friends. So unless you have a specific question, I probably will not reply to comments here. But you can rest assured that I read every comment. Your thoughts are important to me. I value you!
Merry Christmas to you and your family. I wish you all a blessed Christmas and a happy healthy New Year.
Merry Christmas to you and yours! Thank you for your inspirational videos. I look forward to the video and post each morning. I have learned so much and sometimes we just need a reminder to Dress for Our Day.
Thank you Kay for that message. Your timing was perfect. I surely needed that right now. I will reread it a few times and absorb it a little more. I’m wishing you and your family a very Merry Christmas and a Happy, Healthy New Year.
Merriest if Christmas to you and your family. I am visiting my daughter’s family and might be stuck her as the U. S. Is considered a red zone. I’m supposed to return Tuesday to Florida and hoping this happens but will deal whatever life hands me. It has been great being with my 4 grandchildren, daughter and son-in-law. Wishing all blessings and joy of the season. Stay safe and let’s continue celebrating our holidays together as a cyber family.
Merry Christmas and a Happy and Blessed 2022!!
Beautifully expressed dear Kay! A joyous and peaceful holiday to you and your loved ones.
What a beautiful ‘sermon’ this morning! I love it so much and it touches my heart. Thank you Kay for your beautiful heart for Jesus. God bless you and your family!
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year, Kay and family!
Wonderful. Wonderful. Thank you Kay! ✨??❤️?✨
I love your comments and your thoughts on this perilous times these past 2 years. Know that we are celebrating the birth of Jesus these next 2 days and hope you and your family have a wonderful holiday. Hope you have a great time and visit with Abigail and then Andrew when he comes for a visit after Christmas day. Bless you all.
Thank you so much- this brought tears to my eyes. My children and grandchildren are not joining us this Christmas, so feeling a little blue, but church family helps. Like you my husband is a member of the clergy, and my daughter and family live in Cincinnati, so your posts often feel like you are writing especially for me. Keep up the good work, and have a blessed Christmas and Healthy New Year!
Merry Christmas, Kay. You have articulated the cry of many of our hearts with eloquence and grace. It seems everyone in our closest circle has had to go to Plan B (or even C or D) this Christmas. Our son and DIL were hoping to come to SC from TX, but that didn’t work out. And frankly, I’m glad they’re not travelling this Christmas. So our Plan B includes friends whose children had to cancel on them!
Thank you so much for all your wardrobe mentoring throughout this year. Your posts are a fun and faithful source of encouragement. May the Lord bless you as you rest and renew you to begin a new year.
Wishing you & yours a Merry Christmas & a Blessed New Year.
Have a Very Merry Christmas Sweet Lady! Enjoy Time with your husband, daughter and her fiancé.
XO
Cindy
Merry Christmas to you & your family
Thank you for this. Christmas blessings to you!
Merry Christmas, dear friend!
MERRY CHRISTMAS Kay! Your words are so very much appreciated and your “sermons” are a large part of my love of your blog. You are an inspiration to me and a guiding light during difficult times. Thank you so much for sharing The Word and helping put a positive perspective on Whom we need, to get us through and provide us with hope. Blessings to you and your family ❤️
Merry Christmas to you and your family, Kay! May God bless you in 2022!
Kay , thank you for sharing this. You pretty much said so much of what’s been going on in our lives too. It really helped to not feel like I’m the only one. Hope you have a blessed Christmas with your family ❤️
Merry Christmas to you and your family. May you all be blessed as we celebrate the birth of our Lord and Savior.
Sincerely,
Kathy Briscoe
Merry Christmas-beautiful post-thank you.❤️?
Wishing a blessed Christmas Kay! I am grateful to have found your blog this year and have learned a lot from you. I am inspired by the time spent with you each day as I get ready for my day too. Thank you for being an influencer in my life. I look forward to what 2022 will bring. May you experience great joy this Christmas in the presence of Emmanuel.
Merry Christmas to you and thank you for your wonderful wishes.
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Merry Christmas Kay. Your words were perfect .. thank you. Enjoy your well deserved time off. ???
Thank you Kay for such an uplifting message
Thanks so much, Kay, for all of your blogs,and especially this one.
My husband passed away 13 years ago on December 10th, but the wonderful thing is, he accepted Jesus as Lord and Savior a couple months before. It’s so amazing to think I will see him again. I pray for all of those who lost loved ones and pray that the Lord will give them peace, comfort and His awesome presence. Merry Christmas to all of you!
Wishing you and your family a very merry and blessed Christmas, Kay!!! Thanks so much for your thoughts today and I love the Scriptures you included! God bless you!
Dear Kay, Wishing you a Merry Chirstmas and a happy, healthy new year! Although I don’t celebrate Christmas,I know that you would wish everyone — of whatever religion — the best of health and joy. May we all find strength, love and joy during these difficult times.
I absolutely do wish you a the best, Alice. Thank you so much for sharing and for being here. Blessings to you!
Thank you for such an inspiring message. Best wishes for you and your family.
May your home be filled with the love of Christ.
Merry Christmas
Mary
Thanks so much for this, Kay! I have lost two cousins in the past ten days. One was the only child of his mother, and my heart aches for her.
Thank you for the lovely Christmas homily. We have three sons, and this is our year with them and their families, so I am feeling pretty great! I have decided on the off years my husband and I take a little trip so I am not a complete Debbie Downer! I highly recommend Santa Fe- we did that last year. Merry Christmas to you and yours and all your readers
Hi Cecille! That’s exactly our plan – to travel to somewhere fun on the off years. Thanks for sharing. ❤️
Thank you for the encouragements and good wishes. Enjoy your time off.
Merry Christmas, Kay! I read your “sermon “ as we are driving to be with our family. Thank you for your wise words this morning.
Kay, thanks so much for this inspiring “sermon” today! It was exactly what I needed, as well! We lost our dear Pastor earlier this month due to COVID complications and his wife of 35 years (anniversary would have been December 28) is hurting deeply. I just sent her a message with the scripture you shared. Hopefully, she will find comfort through your Holy Spirit inspired words. Bless you, dear sister! Merry Christmas!
Merry Christmas to you and your family. I very much enjoy your Blessed for my day each day. Today’s message is right on. Hoping for a blessed 2022 for you and yours and all the precious ladies who follow Dressed for my Day.
Thank you, Kay, for your words today, especially the reminder from Habakkuk. I love how the book ends with Habakkuk praising the Lord in the midst of difficult circumstances. “…yet I will rejoice in the LORD; I will take joy in the God of my salvation. God, the Lord, is my strength; he makes my feet like the deer’s; he makes me tread on my high places.” God didn’t promise Habakkuk that better days were coming right away, yet Habakkuk praised God because he understood that ultimately salvation comes from Him. I pray I have that kind of faith in the midst of difficult times as well. God is our salvation, and what better time to rejoice in that than the day we celebrate His birth, when God came in flesh to dwell among us in order to die in our place and forgive our sins. Blessings to you and your family as you worship Him this Christmas!
Merry Christmas Kay!
May God bless you & your family. Thank you for the uplifting words of hope, faith and love.?
Merry Christmas Kay! And thank you for this beautiful, heartfelt message!
Merry Christmas to you and yours, and may you have a very blessed and healthy 2022!
Merry Christmas dear Kay! Enjoy this holiday with your daughter and then with her fiancé. Precious time to be sure.
Merry Christmas Kay, May 2022 be a better year for all of us. As always I trust in the Lord my God, he knows all of our sorrows and pain. I once read , “be kind to everyone because we do not know what pain is behind that smile”
So very true!
Merry Christmas to you and your family Kay! Love your positivity and focus on the true meaning of Christmas- Jesus Christ! I can’t help but trust that He is working out all things for His good to accomplish His kingdom purposes! To God be the Glory! May the Lord continue to bless your outreach as you share His love with us 50+ year olds!!
Merry Christmas to you and your family and a happy, healthy New Year!
Your words are so encouraging Kay. Reading your blog always brightens my day. Your post is always filled with the precious gifts of hope, faith and love. Covid has certainly been the Grinch this Christmas with the omicron variant infecting my own loved ones. Yet it has shown me to be grateful for what I presently have instead of focusing on what I do not have. Wishing you and your family all the blessings of the Christmas season,
The first week I started reading posts here, I knew this blog was different. I felt it was more than a fashion blog and I was so right. BFMD has spoke to me many times, Kay. The thing about this roughest year of my life, that made it bearable, is knowing God never promised us an easy journey, just a smooth landing. Merry Christmas my friends and especially to you Kay for being so genuine.???
Thank you for your inspiring words. You and I have something in common our daughter is also getting married in May. She got engaged a week ago. Christmas will be looking for dresses as well as celebrating our Lord and Savior, and being with family. I would love for you do to do a post on mother of the bride dresses.
Merry Christmas!
Merry Christmas, Kay! I have loved getting to know you over the last 2 years via your blog. I really appreciate all you do for your online community, from fashion tips to sharing the love of Christ. Enjoy your family!
Beautiful message today. You have such an eloquent way with words. Blessings and glad tidings to you and your family. You deserve it as you are a blessing to so many. Merry Christmas.
Merry Christmas Kay! I so appreciate your inspiration, both spiritually and in fashion. Please continue to do what you do. We all need it so!
Merry Christmas, Kay! Enjoy the time with your family! Thank you for the encouragement and the reminder of God’s presence, power, and love. I treasure this blog because you share the Lord with us each day. The Lord bless you and your dear family!
Suzanne
Thank you for your prayers and thoughtful words. I am so touched by your post today. Thank you for your hope, faith, and love. You are a treasure. JoBeth
Merry Christmas, Kay. I hope 2022 is a better year for all of us. I love your YouTube videos and hearing about you and your family, I have learned a lot. Stay safe! Thank you for all the information and inspiration you give, it is greatly appreciated. Hugs, Leslie Twiss
Merry Christmas, Kay! And thank you so much for your sweet words of encouragement today.
May you have a wonderful Christmas and a New Year filled with God’s blessings. I was blessed to stumble across one of your YouTube videos a few weeks ago. Since then, I’ve been enjoying your videos and blog posts. Thank you so much for your encouraging words, Kay.
As I read your post today my phone was ringing with shut downs, events cancelled etc. I needed the Minnie sermon. Thank you. Faith can not be abandoned. I can find strength. Today that was you!
Thank you so much for this beautiful message. Merry Christmas to all!
Merry Christmas Kay, you are a blessing!?❤️
Merry Christmas to you too! Hope you have a blessed day!
Merry Christmas and Happiness in 2022 to you and yours Kay. Thank you for all you do.
Thank you for that inspiring message! We have much to be thankful for but sometimes we forget because we have such short memories. We are visiting from Canada in Houston where our daughter lives with her husband and 4 boys.
It has been great to visit with them-. We wanted to go to the Christmas Eve service but have to forego it cause some things have happened throwing a curve into our plans. Even so, we praise the Lord cause our kids go to church regularly without any nagging from mom and dad. Wishing you a very merry Christmas! And thank you for all your emails! I read most of them snd watch the videos too!
Merry Christmas! Thank you for reminding us of these encouraging words from scripture. So comforting to know God is always with us. Immanuel.
Love your blog! Thanks for all you do.
Merry Christmas! I enjoy your devotions and sweet spirit so much. I haven’t commented before since I am much older than most of this group (72) and don’t feel relevant sometimes. But I want to express appreciation for your efforts.
I like your style information and use what I can. I live in the Cincinnati area too and experience the same weather and lifestyle. God bless you and your family–enjoy your time off!
Wishing the best and happiest memories of the holidays. Thank you for continuing to remind us of our Savior and his love for us.
The Lord bless you and keep you, Kay, and make His face shine upon you, Kay, and give you peace.
Blessed Christmas! ❤️
A beautiful Christmas Day message! I love your positive and joyful words on your blog and videos! Not sure what is coming in 2022, but we remain in faith and steadfastness, and strive for more peace in this world. Merry Christmas!
Thank you so much for this post. I needed it so much. Our Christmas plans changed two days before as a son and his family decided it was best to not be at our Christmas gathering. Do not agree with his decision but know he is doing what he feels it best for his family. Another son and his family was with us so I am thankful. Your post did help me put things in perspective. Thankful for your posts and BFMD each day! You are a blessing.
Thank you for this beautiful post, Kay! Here it is Christmas Day night and I just had the time to read it. Blessings to you and your family!
Lovely message! Merry Christmas to you and your family!
Merry Christmas, Kay!
Thank you for your wonderful words. Regardless of what life throws at us, we are never alone. The birth of the Savior is our steady and filling joy. From my family to yours, peace and love during this holy season. Here are favorite verses from Habakkuk 3: 17-18 that reminds me to praise God in all situations:
“Though the fig tree does not blossom and no fruit appears on the vine, though the yield of the olive fails and the terraces produce no nourishment, though the flocks disappear from the fold and there is no herd in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord and exult in my saving God”
What a beautiful picture and equally beautiful post. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.
Merry Christmas, Kay, and all the best to you and Dressed for My Day in 2022! I enjoy reading your blog and seeing and hearing what you have to say. Thank you! Jill
Merry Christmas to you and your family. I so enjoy reading and watching each of your posts/videos. Your sweet spirit comes through each one.
May 2022 be filled with God’s richest blessings for you and your family.
Thank you, Kay, for your sweet words. You are always an inspiration! Wishing you God’s best for the New Year that’s filled with more blessings than you can imagine.
~Adrienne~
Merry Christmas to you and your family, Kay!
I truly look forward to your blog and videos each week. I find them spiritually uplifting! I really enjoy you fashion posts and have incorporated many of them! Have a wonderful and blessed new year!
Thank you, Kay for these thoughts and scripture. On November 27, my 92 year old mother passed away peacefully in her home. Six days later, my sister, who lived with my mother, passed away in a hospital. She had declined from Parkinson’s and then got COVID. We were blessed by the Body of Christ (a small group of my mother’s church family) who surrounded us with love and support during that time. We rejoice in knowing our loved-ones are no longer in bodies of pain and limitations and most of all that we will see them again on the other side. Christmas was just another reminder of how good our God is to all of us.
I’m so very sorry for your deep losses, Phyllis. Bless you. I know you are graciously looking at these sorrows through the lens of truth and God’s love, but they must hurt all the same. I pray for you to constantly feel and know God’s presence as you walk through this season of grief. And thank you for sharing your testimony of hope and peace. ?