It is Christmas Eve and I find myself joyfully blessed and thankful for the celebration, the holy remembrance of redemption for man through infant birth. Many may attempt reduction, the giving of gifts, gathering of guests, lighting lives and surroundings with glittering glitz, but the whole world still stops, steeped in tradition for this time steeped in remembrance. No single event has ever garnered such millennial honored pause. While many then and now, attempt to discredit the truth, or squelch this holy act, it remains. God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen, Silent Night, O Holy Night and a host of other songs fill the air with many other popular songs echoing the hollowness of the season focused on mere partying.
I have come to discover power, truth, sacrifice and deep, meaningful life as I interact with and follow my glorious God, He charging me to live life to the full with His grace, His compassion, His love for all mankind. I have no huge credentials, no great following or popularity probably like many of you, but I have personally been touched by His miraculous healing power. I have seen this power released into the lives of many of my friends for His glory. My heart finds common the times I have prayed with my LORD seeing Him answer with preciseness, discovering He had done exactly as He led me pray, possibly because He has taught me to pray selflessly as I listen to Him, praying His amazing will for people I love and care for.
Sure, my Christmas celebrations are filled with many of the same things as yours; erecting a tree, trimming it with memories, shopping and wrapping presents I hope will bless those I love, eating veritable tons of food I shouldn't, but more importantly it is overflowing with pondering grace, singing and listening to songs of faith wrapped with elative appreciation for our rescue from a short life, to one eternal. Since through one man (Adam), sin (disobedience and self-centered selfishness standing in opposition to God) entered the world, God also said the through one man (Jesus), our disobedient nature (sinfulness) would be released and eliminated through the sacrifice of one man, Jesus Christ, and yes, this infant entrance speaks gloriously of such plan.
It has always been my hope, my prayer, that these keyboard musings not come across in judgment or speak falsely of what a real relationship with the real God holds. It remains my prayer too that you who read might find such ring of truth that you would join me, not in religion, but with interactive relationship with the one true God. These footprints of faith walk through life in attempt to live it to the full, full of His grace poured out into me, and hopefully poured into the lives of everyone whose path I cross; fellow employees, checkers at stores, presidents and CEO's, trash collectors and janitors, my wife, children and sweet grandchild, and even you who choose to read.
For those choosing to read this blog, this Christmas season, it is my hope that you find the real meaning and truth of Christmas. God does want to have a relationship with you. He will provide you peace and a way of living that will transform yours and the lives of others around you. We will grow toward a sweetness of life and living that more and more aligns with His call and way of life and living, serving and deeply caring for those around us as we grow in relationship with Him. We can bless the tired and abused clerks at stores with generous thanksgiving and praise. We can come alongside those hurting not just this season but in the months ahead. We can make a difference daily, for the long haul if we understand that our lives of giving are not just for Christmastime.
For unto us a child is born. He is Christ the Lord.
He desires for you to know Him and understand His calling upon your heart, not to be religious, not to adhere to laws, to be in relationship, being freed from fear to utter joy. I can live free from fear because my life is wrapped in the one who was wrapped in swaddling clothes, fully God, fully man. This life a vapor to be the start of one that will continue through eternity, exiting this world to a holy world of eternal peace, free of fear.
Joy to the World, the Lord is Come!
No comments:
Post a Comment