When I was growing up one of the small joys of the Christmas season was our Advent calendar. It was a manger scene with little tabs that each year we three children, nothing like the three magi, took turns opening and reading a little verse about the coming of the Christ child. Of course, it was a countdown to the wonder of Christmas and hoped-for gifts, but it was also a time of seeing this quite ordinary manger scene become an extraordinary picture of promise and joy. A star shone bright as Mary and Joseph knelt in quiet reverence at the wonder of God’s promised Christ child born in a manger. As cows and sheep looked on, love dawns anew on all humanity. The night sky broke forth with angels singing glad tidings, shepherds kneeling, and magi offering gifts from afar. The miracle sparkled anew.
Perhaps we too need push back some of the busyness of our lives and journey anew to Bethlehem. Amid our busyness of Christmas shopping and baking, perhaps we too could use the Advent season to re-discover the miracle of Christmas. We could see anew the promise of God’s love. We could let a new hope dawn in our hearts and lives. Perhaps we could even lend our voice to Christmas angel choirs. Perhaps the light of God’s love in our hearts could push back a little of the darkness of our world near and far. And we might even share a gift with our loved ones, as well as those whose lives could use a little more love.
Let us say again like the shepherds of so long ago, “Come let us journey together to Bethlehem . . . and see this thing that has happened!” Luke 2.15
Loving God, help me clear aside of some of the busyness of the season and make room for you. Work a miracle of love in my life, and help me be part of some small miracle of love in someone else’s life, through your power and to your glory, Amen.
May God bless you on your Christmas journey—Pastor TJ
God never gives someone a gift they are not capable of receiving. If he gives us the gift of Christmas, it is because we all have the ability to understand and receive it--Pope Francis
Perhaps we too need push back some of the busyness of our lives and journey anew to Bethlehem. Amid our busyness of Christmas shopping and baking, perhaps we too could use the Advent season to re-discover the miracle of Christmas. We could see anew the promise of God’s love. We could let a new hope dawn in our hearts and lives. Perhaps we could even lend our voice to Christmas angel choirs. Perhaps the light of God’s love in our hearts could push back a little of the darkness of our world near and far. And we might even share a gift with our loved ones, as well as those whose lives could use a little more love.
Let us say again like the shepherds of so long ago, “Come let us journey together to Bethlehem . . . and see this thing that has happened!” Luke 2.15
Loving God, help me clear aside of some of the busyness of the season and make room for you. Work a miracle of love in my life, and help me be part of some small miracle of love in someone else’s life, through your power and to your glory, Amen.
May God bless you on your Christmas journey—Pastor TJ
God never gives someone a gift they are not capable of receiving. If he gives us the gift of Christmas, it is because we all have the ability to understand and receive it--Pope Francis
RSS Feed
