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<\/p>\n To bring some relief from the parties and hot weather, I decided to try some Christmas in July tunes this month. You realize that Christmas is just around the corner. You surely don\u2019t want it to sneak up on you!<\/p>\n <\/p>\n When I heard the song I\u2019ll share with you today, I was touched by the simplicity. The play on words. The desire to be closer to Jesus during the busy Christmas season. And yes, the guilt. Right? Because there is so much to do during the Christmas season. Sometimes we are just too busy to find the joy of being in Jesus\u2019 presence.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n So I\u2019m beginning today. Being in Jesus\u2019 presence isn\u2019t just a Christmas thing. Nope. We are to experience it all year long. If I regularly practice being in Jesus\u2019 presence throughout the year, I\u2019ll be more apt to keep it going through the Christmas season. Maybe you need to do the same.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Now don\u2019t get me wrong. I spend time with Jesus every day. But sometimes I\u2019m rushed. Sometimes I\u2019m distracted. Sometimes I\u2019m too busy to let the presence of Jesus wash over me. So I want to be more aware of His presence. I want to experience all that He has to offer. I want to be present in the moment. With Jesus.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Today as we begin the countdown to Christmas (and believe it or not, there are some of my friends who have started this countdown long ago), let\u2019s plan to be engaged in our relationship with Jesus. Let\u2019s not just talk the talk, let\u2019s walk the walk.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n As you read through the lyrics of this Christmas melody and listen to the beauty of its harmony, I pray that you too will desire to be in Jesus\u2019 presence on a regular basis and to be fully engaged in His presence. If we start now, we will be ready for Christmas this year.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cYour Presence\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n In the busy Christmas noise,<\/p>\n All the bells the lights, the toys,<\/p>\n I have found you are the only source of comfort and joy.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Lord, I want your presence for Christmas<\/p>\n I want your presence for Christmas,<\/p>\n I long to feel your Spirit speaking peace to my heart.<\/p>\n Of all the gifts I may receive,<\/p>\n There\u2019s only one I really need,<\/p>\n And it\u2019s your presence, your presence for Christmas.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n When the holiday is through<\/p>\n And the year is fresh and new,<\/p>\n All that lingers are the moments, my Lord<\/p>\n Spent worshiping you.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Lord, I want your presence for Christmas<\/p>\n I want your presence for Christmas,<\/p>\n I long to feel your Spirit speaking peace to my heart.<\/p>\n Of all the gifts I may receive,<\/p>\n There\u2019s only one I really need,<\/p>\n And it\u2019s your presence, your presence for Christmas.[i]<\/a><\/p>\n <\/p>\n![\"???????????????????????????????\"](\"https:\/\/fullmeasureofjoy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/12\/DSCN0474.jpg\")
<\/a>July is also the month when the weather begins to turn unbearably hot. Just look at a weather map from the nation and you\u2019ll see the temperatures rise. Phew! July can be a scorcher!<\/p>\n