Expectations have climaxed! Tonight is the night! Christmas is here and little children await with excitement for all they have dreamed about. It isn't just children who wait with nervous expectation. Adults look for the wonder of Christmas too.
We all want to know that someone cares. Is there a Santa in my life? Is there really a God who cared enough to come to earth for me? Does anyone really love me? Christmas is a time when those questions may or may not be answered to our satisfaction.
Will our dear one remember me with a special gift or will they fall short of my expectations? Will Santa really come to every good little girl and boy or will there be a few who are overlooked because no one noticed? The only true expectation that has been fully met is the expectation of a Messiah. Jesus did come. He lived and died to give us back what we lost through our sin.
Christmas fills our deepest expectations. We may not know what those might be but in Jesus Christ we are loved, ransomed and fulfilled completely!
Tonight is a night when your expectations can be met. You can know the fullness of His love, His grace, His gift of eternal life! All you need to do is ask and believe. He only waits to hear your request.
Wednesday, December 24, 2008
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
Light Saga
We've had a little bit of trouble with our outside Christmas lights this year. They would go on for a short time then blink out, either one side of the house or the other. It makes the house decorations look unfinished and really quite sad.
I envied the houses I went past that were shining and well decked out. It made my poor little display a pitiful sight. I did, however, see a lesson in all of the lights on, lights off drama.
Throughout my day I can shine the light of Christ or I can blink it off letting it hide behind a shadow of anger or ill thoughts towards others. My light can shine before men as a beacon of Gods' glory or I can shut it off to await a moment when I am the one who is shined upon. It is my choice.
A little wiggle of the wires can make the lights awaken and my home to brighten up and reflect the joy that Christmas is all about. It is the same with me. A little twist of my thoughts in the right direction can spark the flame and let my light shine brighter. I would guess that connecting my lights to the source of true light would keep them shining brightly all day long. Oh, that I would run to fix the connection before it is interrupted!
I envied the houses I went past that were shining and well decked out. It made my poor little display a pitiful sight. I did, however, see a lesson in all of the lights on, lights off drama.
Throughout my day I can shine the light of Christ or I can blink it off letting it hide behind a shadow of anger or ill thoughts towards others. My light can shine before men as a beacon of Gods' glory or I can shut it off to await a moment when I am the one who is shined upon. It is my choice.
A little wiggle of the wires can make the lights awaken and my home to brighten up and reflect the joy that Christmas is all about. It is the same with me. A little twist of my thoughts in the right direction can spark the flame and let my light shine brighter. I would guess that connecting my lights to the source of true light would keep them shining brightly all day long. Oh, that I would run to fix the connection before it is interrupted!
Monday, December 22, 2008
Sore Feet
I've done a lot of walking the past few days. More than usual.
I've been shopping and shopping and shopping. Though shopping is not my favorite activity i enjoyed the exercise of buying gifts for loved ones and moving my body for long periods of time to work off those extra calories!
Last night was our caroling party. We walked the neighborhood and enjoyed the cool night and warm welcomes from friends. Our motley bunch of singers didn't sound too bad this year and the competition for the "Angel Choir" was closer than ever before!
Today my feet ache but I don't mind so much since they remind me of good deeds, and blessings of friends. They also remind me of Jesus' feet. He walked this earth and went miles and miles to spread the good news! Were His feet sore before He went to the cross? I have no doubt that they were!
How lovely are the feet of Him who brings good news!
I've been shopping and shopping and shopping. Though shopping is not my favorite activity i enjoyed the exercise of buying gifts for loved ones and moving my body for long periods of time to work off those extra calories!
Last night was our caroling party. We walked the neighborhood and enjoyed the cool night and warm welcomes from friends. Our motley bunch of singers didn't sound too bad this year and the competition for the "Angel Choir" was closer than ever before!
Today my feet ache but I don't mind so much since they remind me of good deeds, and blessings of friends. They also remind me of Jesus' feet. He walked this earth and went miles and miles to spread the good news! Were His feet sore before He went to the cross? I have no doubt that they were!
How lovely are the feet of Him who brings good news!
Saturday, December 20, 2008
Hush
The rush is almost done. It will soon be time to hush and listen to the stillness of the night and allow our precious Lord to silence the yearnings of our hearts.
I like to set the mood for quietness by playing soothing music. Instrumentals are best, but a soft voice can also allow my mind to step away from the lists and sit at my Saviors' feet. Like Mary I long to be near Him and in His presence. So I lay aside my Martha apron and draw near.
Hush, hush, listen silent night.
Hush, hush, draw near to Christmas!
Hush, hush, wonder and joy are mine!
Hush, hush, He quiets my heart.
Hush, hush, He is near, God with me!
I like to set the mood for quietness by playing soothing music. Instrumentals are best, but a soft voice can also allow my mind to step away from the lists and sit at my Saviors' feet. Like Mary I long to be near Him and in His presence. So I lay aside my Martha apron and draw near.
Hush, hush, listen silent night.
Hush, hush, draw near to Christmas!
Hush, hush, wonder and joy are mine!
Hush, hush, He quiets my heart.
Hush, hush, He is near, God with me!
Friday, December 19, 2008
Gimmies
The Gimmies will get you
If you don't watch out!
The Gimmies are ugly.
You don't want them about.
They get in your eyes
So you want all you see.
They get in your mouth
And shout, "Give it to me!"
And if you don't get it
You whine and you cry
Till we all hear you
And ask ourselves, "Why?"
A sweet little child
Let the Gimmies come out
'Cause having the Gimmies
Is foolish, no doubt!
If you don't watch out!
The Gimmies are ugly.
You don't want them about.
They get in your eyes
So you want all you see.
They get in your mouth
And shout, "Give it to me!"
And if you don't get it
You whine and you cry
Till we all hear you
And ask ourselves, "Why?"
A sweet little child
Let the Gimmies come out
'Cause having the Gimmies
Is foolish, no doubt!
Thursday, December 18, 2008
Fully God, Fully Man
From the beginning, Jesus was fully God and fully man. I wonder how that worked? Did He empty himself of all knowledge of who He was until a certain time? Or did He remain so totally in control that He was able to say "No" to His God-ness?
His words seemed so aware of His position in the God head that it seems impossible that He did not know who He really was, but then He would not have lived the life of a human to the full extent being tempted as we are would He?Such things are my ponderings of his coming as a baby. Will there be similar ponderings when He returns? Will I wonder if His humanness will be so overshadowed by His God-ness? Such a mystery!
Oh, Lord, my Savior, the only true God and true man, You are a mystery that must be pondered. You truly deserve my minds' meditation! Though I may never find the depths of you, may I forever seek to know You more!
His words seemed so aware of His position in the God head that it seems impossible that He did not know who He really was, but then He would not have lived the life of a human to the full extent being tempted as we are would He?Such things are my ponderings of his coming as a baby. Will there be similar ponderings when He returns? Will I wonder if His humanness will be so overshadowed by His God-ness? Such a mystery!
Oh, Lord, my Savior, the only true God and true man, You are a mystery that must be pondered. You truly deserve my minds' meditation! Though I may never find the depths of you, may I forever seek to know You more!
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
Ready or Not
Ready or not He will come! The world wasn't really ready to receive Jesus when He was born in the stable. We probably will not be ready when He arrives for the second time. SURPRISE!!
Do you like surprises? For me it depends on if I am prepared to be surprised. Yes, I know that sounds like no surprise, but it can be. I am always on guard for birthday, anniversary or Mother's day surprises. I prepare myself for the unexpected and then enjoy the moment when it comes. Every day type surprises catch me off guard and I would prefer they never happen.
Ordinary day surprises make the day very extraordinary, like the snake in the trash can, or being side swiped by a hit and run driver. but then there are surprises in my ordinary days that take my breath away and lift my spirits and my praises to God. I am prepared to see a sunset/sunrise but when it is spectacular I am surprised! I expect to see the moon but when it is an enormous pearl in the night sky I am surprised! When I prepare myself to do the right thing for someone else I am surprised to find the gift of joy for myself.
I am prepared for Jesus' return to earth but it will be a great surprise! Just as He came as a baby His arrival will be an ordinary day that will turn extraordinary!
Surprise me, Lord! Like Simeon and Anna, let me see Your coming! I will prepare myself every day for the surprise of You in my life!
Do you like surprises? For me it depends on if I am prepared to be surprised. Yes, I know that sounds like no surprise, but it can be. I am always on guard for birthday, anniversary or Mother's day surprises. I prepare myself for the unexpected and then enjoy the moment when it comes. Every day type surprises catch me off guard and I would prefer they never happen.
Ordinary day surprises make the day very extraordinary, like the snake in the trash can, or being side swiped by a hit and run driver. but then there are surprises in my ordinary days that take my breath away and lift my spirits and my praises to God. I am prepared to see a sunset/sunrise but when it is spectacular I am surprised! I expect to see the moon but when it is an enormous pearl in the night sky I am surprised! When I prepare myself to do the right thing for someone else I am surprised to find the gift of joy for myself.
I am prepared for Jesus' return to earth but it will be a great surprise! Just as He came as a baby His arrival will be an ordinary day that will turn extraordinary!
Surprise me, Lord! Like Simeon and Anna, let me see Your coming! I will prepare myself every day for the surprise of You in my life!
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