From the cradle to the cross.
You know the song lyric "What child is this?," well each morning this week my husband has turned to me and said, "What day is this?" Christmas on a Wednesday just seems weird. At our Christmas Eve service I found a 5 year old girl hiding behind one of our big doors to the worship center that was propped open. I squatted down and said, "Well, hello. What kind of fun is happening back here?" She said, "It's not Sunday, why are we here?"
Yesterday, we left the house while it was still dark to make the rounds to three of our children's homes to see the excitement of Christmas. After breakfasting with one family a little grandaugter said to me, "Will you take me to an indoor playground?" (We had just visited the Chick Fil A playground the week before.) I explained on this special day where we celebrate the birth of Jesus most all schools, businesses, stores and restaurants close so people can be with their families and remember the birth of Christmas.
Christmas is so much more than celebrating a birth though and the devotional below gave me reason to pause and think deeply.
The Holy Spirit is at work in all believers at different times in different ways. One of the most beautiful things about group Bible study or sitting under different teachers is hearing what God is stirring in someone else's heart.
Some of our grands and I had an interesting time discussing the devotional below by author John Eldredge titled "The Invasion of Christmas." This devotional is from Eldridge's book called Restoration Year.
The Songs (I meant to post yesterday.)
“Angles from the Realms of Glory” With the Piano Guys
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PrLoWt2tfqg
“When Love was Born” Mark Schultz
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aKSU9Dbxvrw
“Who Could’ve Dreamed” Jason Crabb
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iIzqcwER3bo
“A Child Has Come” Jon Reddick
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BFpNerdxQAs
From Heaven’s Point of View Her child was snatched away from the dragon... Then there was war in heaven. — Revelation 12:5, Revelation 12:7 NLT I would pay good money to have a nativity scene with Revelation 12 included. Not only would it capture the imagination, but it would also better prepare us to celebrate the holidays and to go on to live the Story Christmas invites us into. Your vision of the nativity was shaped by classic Christmas cards and lovely crèche displays. And while I still love those tableaus very much, I’m convinced they’re an almost total rewrite of the story. I understand this traditional imagery is probably dear to you, but friend, it’s also profoundly deceiving by creating all sorts of warm expectations — many quite subconscious — of what the nature of the Christian life is going to be like. But war in Heaven the instant Jesus was born — this is an essential part of the Story. Yes — Christmas is the glow of candlelight, and a baby sleeping in a manger. It is starlight, shepherds in a field. But Christmas is also an invasion. The Kingdom of God striking at the heart of the kingdom of darkness with violent repercussions. And victory. Christmas is meant to remind us each year of the Great Story we live in. Not something cute and quaint from time gone by, but the most epic Story unfolding right now, all around us. What will help you remember that this year? |
|
|
Christmas is also an invasion. It Worked! The angel was joined by a vast host of others — the armies of Heaven — praising God and saying, “Glory to God in highest Heaven, and peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased.” — Luke 2:13–14 NLT As I reflect upon the mystery of the incarnation, and the great invasion of the Kingdom that began under cover of darkness in a remote village in the Middle East, so many wonders flood my heart. The wild plan of God to come the way He did, where He did, when He did, as He did. The great battle in the heavens. The immense cost. The staggering series of events that began to unfold. It really is breathtaking, more than any other story ever told. But above all, what I wanted to offer you this Christmas is this one simple thought: It worked. God came for you, and all that He planned and all He intended in Jesus Christ has come true. The rule of evil has been broken. You are ransomed. Your life is now filled with the life of God. The Kingdom of God has broken through. Redemption is unfolding all over the earth, and will come to a glorious climax with the return of Jesus. Sin no longer reigns over you. Restoration is yours, now. And so many other glories. It worked. Hold on to that truth this Christmas, dear friend. This glorious victory needs to be celebrated! How can you celebrate this wonderful truth today?
|
|
|
|
|
