Christmas 2011

   Again we have come to the most celebrated holiday of the year.  Christmas.  For Christians this is the time we look back and consider that God came to us, in human flesh.  A little baby, with fingers and toes.  A baby, that was completely dependent upon his mothers breast.  Interesting that the God who made all things, now comes to us dependent upon His very creation.  Of this little child Paul says " For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him.  So this little child, who created all things, and who holds all things in His might hands, now has hands so small they fit between my fingers.  This young one now has eyes of wonder.      
   And I find it interesting that God chose to come to us, not in pomp and glory.  No.  He comes to mankind in a poor family, from the wrong side of the Roman empire.  His advent is culminated at the end of a hundred mile journey from Nazareth to Bethlehem.  Not ideal conditions for a King.  By anyone's standards he was nobody. But this child was destined for the rise and fall of many.  He, who made all things now comes forth of His mother, in a lowly stable with ox and sheep.
   This picture teaches something about the God we serve.  He not only cares for the poor and marginalized, he became poor and marginalized.  He, who has all power in heaven and earth, who could have called on 10,000 angels at any time, came humble, lowly, poor and dependent.  For it is Christ who says that the rich will scarcely enter His Kingdom.  Those who seek to be wealthy, are those who miss the point of grace.  Grace teaches us that God does what we cannot do.  Grace teaches us that God is pleased in Jesus, for His sake we are saved, and are saved completely.  Grace teaches us that this little baby, the ultimate gift to all mankind,was born to walk the road to Calvary with every Christian soul in mind.  He was thinking of you, of me, and of the countless others when he uttered the words, "Father forgive them."
   The application this Christmas is simple.  If you are short on cash, and feel inadequate, repent and believe the good news.  If you are overflowing with goods, don't forget to spread the wealth.  If you have gone through this Christmas season without any thought of who might need your help, pray and ask God to show you someone in need.  In need of what you can do specifically.  For Christ said that when we give of ourselves to those in need, we are doing it as unto Him.  As unto Christ, who knows something of what it means to be in need.  This little baby, with poor parents, from the wrong side of the Roman empire.

Fuzzy

    

     This is the face that greets me when I get home from work.  She runs to me yelling "Pa-pa, Papa, Papa."  As I scoop her up into my arms she rests her head against my shoulder and say's "Pa-pa."  This little girl has completely stolen my heart.  This little girl, in Gods divine providence has been given to me.  She trusts me completely, without knowing all the details.  She runs to me with excitement, because I am her Papa and she knows that I love her.  

     What is it then, that keeps men from God?  A God who created this relationship is certainly not cold or indifferent to human affairs.  How could He be?  One of the ways I worship God is through loving this little girl.  One of the ways I can tap into the divine is by trusting that God has ordered my life perfectly, and in His divine purpose He gave me Jubilee.  Hallelujah praise Jehovah.  

     Jubilee......a fitting name for the child, was a time to set the captives free.  It was ordained by God to be a celebration.  It was feasting, dancing, singing and returning home.  Home, was a geographic thing in Israel, but now we find that home in Christ.  Many times throughout my life God has set me free, many times He has brought me back home.  Only a wild God does that.  Never in a million years would I have thought that I could love a little girl as much as I love Jubilee.  And yet, here we are.   Why does God continue to do this?  Why does He continue to pour out these blessings?  Why is it that after five seconds with my two year old daughter in the front lawn I am waiting for the clouds to open up, and to hear a thousand angels singing "Glory to God in the Highest."