Monday, December 19, 2011
More Carols...Less Cowbell
Our family went carroling the other night and we had an awesome time. I am afraid it is quickly becoming a lost art in these days. As we were singing Joy to the World, I was struck at the words. Joy to the worldthe Lord is come. Let heaven and nature sing. In my studies recently have brought me back to the announcement of our Lord to the shepards. The Bible tells us that an army of angels showed up. On the night Christ was born, heaven and earth stopped to rejoice at the coming of our Lord. The universe stopped to sing praise. In a culture that seems to scream more cowbell, I was glad to sing songs of praise that celebrate that our Lord has come, and come to save.
Friday, December 16, 2011
The Gift to Be Destroyed
One of the most fun parts of Christmas is giving someone a gift they weren't expecting and seeing their face light up when they open the gift. A gift given with the right intentions and a thoughtful heart solidifies a relationship between two people. It reaffirms the bond of friendship or love that exists. More importantly it tells the receiver you have been on my mind. You matter to me.
Our Heavenly Father sent us a gift on Christmas. The first chapter of John tells us that when Christ came he was full of love and full of grace. It was God's way of reaffirming His everlasting love for us. He tells us that we matter to Him and we are on His mind. God in all his power was walking the earth with His people fully God fully man. He had one purpose for Jesus... to punish Him for our sin.
We would look in horror if the recipient of our gift destroyed it right in front of us. Everything we thought we knew about the relationship would have seemed to be false. God sent us the Give of Christ and then 33 years later, the gift was destroyed. The difference is the gift was destroyed for a gift more valuable. God himself. The separation that existed throughout the ages as a result of rebellion was no lifted through the Gift of Christ.
The gift is available to all regardless of wether it is received. This Christmas as you work to prepare for trips and parties, take time to reflect on the Gift that changed the course of human history. It pleased God to do this even though it cost Him a son.
Have a blessed holiday.
Our Heavenly Father sent us a gift on Christmas. The first chapter of John tells us that when Christ came he was full of love and full of grace. It was God's way of reaffirming His everlasting love for us. He tells us that we matter to Him and we are on His mind. God in all his power was walking the earth with His people fully God fully man. He had one purpose for Jesus... to punish Him for our sin.
We would look in horror if the recipient of our gift destroyed it right in front of us. Everything we thought we knew about the relationship would have seemed to be false. God sent us the Give of Christ and then 33 years later, the gift was destroyed. The difference is the gift was destroyed for a gift more valuable. God himself. The separation that existed throughout the ages as a result of rebellion was no lifted through the Gift of Christ.
The gift is available to all regardless of wether it is received. This Christmas as you work to prepare for trips and parties, take time to reflect on the Gift that changed the course of human history. It pleased God to do this even though it cost Him a son.
Have a blessed holiday.
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