Christmas View

This time of year, there are so many beautiful Christmas views to feast your eyes on. Some views are more beautiful than others. They may present as elaborate decorative displays, breathtaking wintery sights, or the precious sighting of  your very own family and friends. Still, no matter the view, things are not always as they appear. The human eye and mind does not have the capacity or capability to see beyond the surface. The human heart, however, can perceive deeper truths and wonders, when that heart is home to Jesus Christ.

Consider the view on the blessed night when the Lord Jesus was born. A dark, dirty and smelly manger scene, in a far off land may not appear to be a wondrous sight at all. Still, wise men knew that this was a view that would be described and written about for the rest of time, and would change the world forever. What blessed sighting are your eyes missing this Christmas season that could be uncovered with your Christ filled  heart? You certainly do not want to miss a treasured view because you are blinded by bias, familiarity, or your own human preoccupation. This Christmas, let Christ shine a light on the ordinary so that you may witness a once in a lifetime Christmas view, as miraculous as the one witnessed by the wise men so long ago.

“When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them.” Luke 2:17-18

Light of the World

One of the best things about the Christmas season is the preparation for the blessed day. On the first Christmas the baby Jesus was welcomed to the world by a great company of Heavenly hosts and a star that shone brightly in the east. Today, Christmas is ushered in with decorations and lights strung from homes, businesses, tress, fireplaces and more. The lights symbolize the coming of Christ and the celebration of His birth. After all, Jesus Christ is the light of the world! White lights, multicolored, flashing, and even lights that are synchronized to music are displayed. At first just a few light displays can be seen, but as Christmas day approaches more and more are visible for miles around. You too display the light of Christ to the world.

Which type of light are you this Christmas:

- flashing intermittent light dedicated to God when it suits you and sharing His Word when it's safe and appropriate
- energy saving light doing what you need to do to get by as a Christian without investing your energy in becoming closer to God or working to expand His Kingdom
- dimmer adjusted light that shines just a bit but is often turned off to Christ and overpowered by the darkness of the world
- multicolored light revealing different aspects of yourself depending on the audience- sometimes living as a follower of Jesus and other times not
- clear, white, bright light revealing the love and beauty of Christ and attracting others to know Him

It is not easy being a light in the darkness! You may have not even considered just the sort of light you were displaying. In preparation for Christmas take a look at yourself and do what is necessary to become a light that demonstrates Jesus Christ in all His majesty and glory for all to see.  

"I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life."John 8:12

Christmas

Christmas. For many it is a stressful time of shopping, baking, and running from place to place to find the perfect Christmas present. For others it is a time for preparing the right décor, card, tree, table, and ambiance in order to engineer the perfect Christmas experience. The Yule log, eggnog, gift wrapping, light display, and cookies in the shape of stars and gingerbread men are all part of the traditional Christmas holiday that has taken center stage. In the midst of all this, a handful of Christians will celebrate the birth of Jesus the Savior and participate in the true meaning of Christmas. These dedicated followers of Christ will pray, reflect, reach out, renew, share joy, give the gift of presence, encourage, share faith, and praise the King of Kings. They will give their time, talents and treasure to those in need and have a Christmas that is simple, meaningful, richer in spirit, and all about Jesus, not themselves.

Which Christmas are you planning this year? Are you about to embark on the traditional, stressful, trendy Christmas that is being promoted by the commercial world or are you about to celebrate of the birth of Christ Jesus with others in a way that will make an eternal difference in their lives? The choice is yours! Leave a comment below about your Christmas plans. 

Christmas  is about to unfold right before your eyes. As you step into the journey, consider exactly where you are going and how you are going to get there. Perhaps this Christmas is one where you will venture into uncharted territory and discover Jesus Christ in a deeper way as the center of the season and your life.

"Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests." Luke 2:14

Thanks Giving

Beyond the turkey and stuffing, past the mashed potatoes; broccoli with cheese sauce and the rolls, lies the true meaning of Thanksgiving. It is not about the pumpkin pie, the Macy’s Parade, or the kick-off of the holiday season. It has nothing to do with the traditional football game and the preparation for Black Friday. Of course, you can’t tell that it is about none of these things. You won’t hear it in the mainstream media as it will be covered up by hype and politics.

The true meaning of Thanksgiving is tucked away beneath the festivities and the meal preparation. In some cases, it is buried deep underground and not even mention. The true meaning of Thanksgiving is to praise and celebrate the goodness and grace of God. Many will fail to bow the knee, praise Him with grace before the meal, or raise their hands in gratitude. However, I am sure that you will join me in giving thanks, praise, and honor to the Lord Jesus Christ on Thanksgiving Day and every day.

As you celebrate the Thanksgiving holiday with those you love, take a moment to reflect on the great man that was brave enough to acknowledge God before the world as evidenced by this proclamation from so long ago: 

Proclamation: 

The year that is drawing toward its close has been filled with the blessings of fruitful fields and healthful skies. To these bounties, which are so constantly enjoyed that we are prone to forget the source from which they come, others have been added which are of so extraordinary a nature that they can not fail to penetrate and soften even the heart which is habitually insensible to the ever-watchful providence of Almighty God.

In the midst of a civil war of unequaled magnitude and severity, which has sometimes seemed to foreign states to invite and to provoke their aggression, peace has been preserved with all nations, order has been maintained, the laws have been respected and obeyed, and harmony has prevailed everywhere, except in the theater of military conflict, while that theater has been greatly contracted by the advancing armies and navies of the Union.

Needful diversions of wealth and of strength from the fields of peaceful industry to the national defense have not arrested the plow, the shuttle, or the ship; the ax has enlarged the borders of our settlements, and the mines, as well as the iron and coal as of our precious metals, have yielded even more abundantly than heretofore. Population has steadily increased notwithstanding the waste that has been made in the camp, the siege, and the battlefield, and the country, rejoicing in the consciousness of augmented strength and vigor, is permitted to expect continuance of years with large increase of freedom.No human counsel hath devised nor hath any mortal hand worked out these great things. They are the gracious gifts of the Most High God, who, while dealing with us in anger for our sins, hath nevertheless remembered mercy.

It has seemed to me fit and proper that they should be solemnly, reverently, and gratefully acknowledged, as with one heart and one voice, by the whole American people. I do therefore invite my fellow-citizens in every part of the United States, and also those who are in foreign lands, to set apart and observe the last Thursday of November next as a day of thanksgiving and praise to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the heavens. And I recommend to them that while offering up the ascriptions justly due to Him for such singular deliverances and blessings they do also, with humble penitence for our national perverseness and disobedience, commend to His tender care all those who have become widows, orphans, mourners, or sufferers in the lamentable civil strife in which we are unavoidably engaged, and fervently implore the imposition of the Almighty hand to heal the wounds of the nation and to restore it, as soon as may be consistent with the divine purpose, to the full enjoyment of peace, harmony, tranquillity, and union.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and caused the seal of the United States to be affixed.

Done at the city of Washington, this 3d day of October, A.D. 1863 

By the President: Abraham Lincoln

Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family!

I will praise God's name in song and glorify him with thanksgiving. Psalm 69:30

Jump!

A  friend told me a story where her husband was trying to encourage her son to jump into his arms from a close distance where he was sitting in their backyard. Although her son was safe and could easily jump to his dad’s arms, fear got in the way turning what could have been a simple request into a big emotional event. The child, rather than trusting his father to catch him, became afraid and doubtful of his father’s ability to protect him. My friend said the incident reminded her of the way we behave when it comes to listening and trusting our Heavenly Father. Unfortunately we often act just like a doubtful and fearful little child.

Right now you may be holding back from jumping into the loving arms of Jesus and out of a dangerous or even sinful situation in your life. You may be clinging to an unhealthy habit, ungodly relationship or worldly view that God keeps encouraging you to leave behind. You may be just like that small child and are too fearful to let go and let God. What is it that makes you so doubtful of the Almighty God of the Universe? Has He let you down before or do you think that in your circumstance He lacks the ability to keep you safely tucked away in the hollow of His Mighty Hand? Do you think that He is leading you into a lifestyle, place or relationship that will be worse than the one you placed yourself in without His guidance? Jesus is begging you to jump from that place where you sit paralyzed in fear to be as close as possible to Him in His loving arms. Will you trust Him enough to make the leap or will you continue for another day to be perched in fear ignoring His call to jump safely to Him? Don’t waste another moment. Jump! He will catch you….promise!

“Taking him by the right hand, he helped him up, and instantly the man's feet and ankles became strong. He jumped to his feet and began to walk. Then he went with them into the temple courts, walking and jumping, and praising God. When all the people saw him walking and praising God, they recognized him as the same man who used to sit begging at the temple gate called Beautiful, and they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him.” Acts 3:7-10