Tag Archives: Christmas

Don’t leave Jesus in the manger

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Christmas is over. The decorations are being packed away, the nativity set carefully wrapped and put back in its box. But wait.

 

Before you close the lid, ask yourself, “What will I do with baby Jesus?” As we’ve pondered the wonder of God sending His Son to appear as a baby this season, let’s also hold in our heart the truth that this baby grew up!

 

The Christmas story is more than a sweet lullaby. It is a rescue mission from heaven to free the slaves and those taken hostage by the trappings of this world. Instead of military swat teams, God uses His transcending peace to change hearts and transform lives, to set the captives free.

 

Don’t leave Jesus in the manger.

Let him grow up in your heart.

Follow Him to the cross and beyond the grave.
Wait for Him in the sorrows of your life.

Experience the power of His resurrection in your life.

Rejoice in this truth: He chose you before you chose Him.

He isn’t just the reason for the season. Let Him be the reason for your life.

 

Embrace the baby, love The Lord.

 

 

And heaven and nature sing

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Peace is discovered when we experience harmony and balance. Many people find a sense of this in nature. Taking a walk in the woods, making “snow angels”, enjoying solitude by the sea, staring at a starry night… what is it about participating in nature, God’s creation, that brings such peace and joy to our soul?

Part of that answer may be because we are designed to experience things which are larger than us. Nature is such an expansive reminder. It pulls us away from our worldly concerns. It places our life in the perspective of the cosmos and all of God’s eternity. The bible adds to that perspective by reminding us that even if we choose not to draw close to God or celebrate his goodness, even the heavens and nature will praise him. How is it that rocks and trees know to praise God yet we have such a tendency to be distracted from that very purpose for which we were created?

You can reclaim that sense of purpose. You can reclaim that joy. In everything you do, join the heavens and nature in singing and proclaiming the goodness of the Lord. Celebrate his faithfulness and his tender mercies. Acknowledge him in all you do and he will show you the path that leads you to a very merry Christmas!

A Very Special Christmas

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As my bride sleeps, I find myself reflecting on what a special Christmas this is going to be! We have a scheduled Skype call to Michael in South Korea and we will try to visit with Jenny’s and Daniel’s families and all the grands via Skype later. Son Peter, who like his mother is an excellent chef, is bringing us a home cooked Christmas dinner.

True, we are still in the hospital and I am still connected to an IV pole. True, there are a number of uncertainties about what the future holds. True, it will be our first Christmas in 45 years, counting our courtship, where we do not have a Christmas tree, or any decorations, or Christmas lights. True, there are no wrapped gifts this year. In fact, the only gift we have to give each other IS each other, with a love that does not die.

Wouldn’t it be a grand time if it were just that? But there is SO much more. Far beyond all the traditional wrappings of Christmas, there is the real meaning of Christmas. The creator of the heavens and earth so loved us that He sent His own Son Jesus to rescue us.

He came to pay a debt He didn’t owe, because we owed a debt we couldn’t pay.

His free gift is simply wrapped in love, and available to all who receive it. As we anticipate a most unusual and very special Christmas in the hospital, we pray that your Christmas will be filled with the wonder of Jesus.