The Shiny of Christmas is the Star

 I would always start the Christmas season pretty reasonably, but as time went on, I became more frazzled. After spending our planned amount for the kid’s Christmas I would begin to fret that it was not enough or that it was all wrong. After gazing upon the beautiful trappings of the season at every store my heart was far from content at this time of supposed Peace on Earth! I felt that our meager funds had stolen Christmas. This of course collided with my dear husband’s practical take on my favorite holiday. As I watched people spend, spend, spend, my heart became more and more distraught, my Christmas faded into disappointment instead of joy because I had forgotten the real meaning of the day.

Doing all the traditional things that made the season complete, I forced myself to watch, “The Grinch Who Stole Christmas” and I must say there were frequent looks at my husband as I watched the wicked green Grinch. If you remember this miserable green creature tried his best to destroy the beautiful feelings that are born at this time of the year. Thinking that gifts and glitter were the reason for their joy he determined to remove everything that could remind them of this day.

In our day it’s not the glitter and glow that is taken from our reason to celebrate but it is the baby Jesus himself that the world tries to remove. They think that if Jesus is removed our hope will also be removed. Joy will disappear if we are faced with the trouble of life.

That silly movie brought me to a bit of sanity along with a wise statement that our green friend made, “Maybe Christmas, he thought doesn’t come from a store. Maybe Christmas perhaps means a little bit more!”

And then at the end of the terribleness of the Grinch’s deeds, the tiny people grabbed each other’s hands and sang with giant smiles on their faces. The Grinch could not take away their joy even as the world cannot take joy from the hearts of those who celebrate the Babe in the Manger today.

Through the years I have become more sensible when it comes to gift-giving at Christmas but I am still intrigued by the shiny of Christmas and my heart knows without a doubt, “It’s a little bit more!”

Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.”

Slingshots, Frogs and Lost Stories

 How much does your family know about you? My dad did not share his life and thoughts with us though I believe he was tormented by memories of his time as a prisoner of war in World War 2. I have shared before that I think he was a ponderer because many times he would be deep in thought where he did allow visitors. I have many times wished I had more information about him. I have written about his boyhood in Mclean, Illinois with stories others shared. This was where he fished in the creek, made slingshots, and learned to shoot so well on a bet of one nickel he shot the hat off the man walking across the street. I would love to know more about him in his childhood unfortunately his story died when he did. Did he have a good time growing up on a farm? How did he feel about fishing at the creek in the early morning? Did he think about God? Was he close to his mother? Did he do things with his father? How terrible were his 26 months in a POW camp in Germany during WW2? Did he call into the heavens for an unseen Father to help him, did he recall his mother’s poem about her God? The story of your life is invaluable to your children and grandchildren even if they might not fully realize it now. I love writing so it is easy sharing the many stories I have in this mind of mine, but for you who do not love writing find ways to share. The bible says many times to tell your children your stories especially times that God has saved you, blessed you, guided you, loved you, and forgave you.

 

I read in Deuteronomy 4:9 about this very thing.

But watch out! Be careful never to forget what you yourself have seen. Do not let these memories escape from your mind as long as you live! And be sure to pass them on to your children and grandchildren.

One of my favorite verses is Psalm 71:18.

So even to old age and grey hairs, O God, do not forsake me, until I proclaim your might to another generation, your power to all those to come.

Sadly the Bible also tells of the tragedy of generations who were godless.

And all that generation also were gathered to their fathers. And there arose another generation after them who did not know the Lord or the work that he had done for Israel. Judges 2:10

Talk with your children as you walk along about the Lord. Maybe as you bait his hook as you sit on the bank of a creek, tell him of an adventure you had as a child. Even better if you can recall your God blessing you or protecting you. Tell them how important praying is in your life and recall how your family has been the recipient of great answers to prayers. Put Him first in your life so those who come behind you will find you faithful to our God.

To my own family, I have shared many stories in these last years and will in days to come. It’s amazing how many memories clutter an old woman’s mind after 74 years of living!

Seven Days To Glory

 Like everyone else, I have watched the countdown to Christmas. It seems the days have sped by like Santa’s reindeer flying from chimney to chimney. I thought just yesterday we were roasting that turkey and giving thanks over noodles and dressing. And then the countdown began as we were taking the last bite of pumpkin pie.

Today I noticed that it is now seven days until Christmas day and many people still have a to-do list that is still very long. When Mary was seven days away from delivering the baby Jesus what was she thinking? Maybe there were many things unchecked on her list. I can’t imagine how uncomfortable she must have been riding a donkey all that way to Bethlehem or perhaps even walking. Being so uncomfortable could have made her forget who she would soon deliver. Was the angel’s visit pushed to the side as she looked ahead to seven difficult days of traveling in her condition? She might have been concerned she might not make it to an appropriate place to give birth to the Promised One? Will the whispers as she walked by people in her little village be dismissed or the fear she sometimes felt as she tried to sleep dissipate?  In just seven days, in God’s timing, happiness will replace the sadness and her former discomfort would flee when she looked into the glorious face of Hope?

Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child you will bear. Luke 1:42

 And His name shall be called Jesus! Luke 1:31

 I wonder what the shepherds were thinking about just days out from the first Christmas. Since they had no idea of what would be taking place seven days from then, their minds might have been on lost sheep or the wild animals that surrounded their flock last night. They didn’t know angels would soon announce the birth of the Savior to this motley crew. That peace and goodwill would be proclaimed as sung by a chorus of celestial beings. They had no idea that they were to see glorious hope in the face of a babe wrapped in swaddling clothes and that they would kneel at the manger bed and worship Jesus the Savior.

The shepherds went back to their flocks, glorifying and praising God for all they heard and saw. It was just as the angel had told them. Luke 2:20

My thoughts go also to the magi who would start their travels in just one week from then because according to them the star would appear that would signal that the Messiah would be born. Finally, the prophecies would be fulfilled and the sighting of the star would at last be realized. How would it be to say goodbye to the family for who knows how long? Their travels would not be easy but in seven days they would begin seeking the glorious face of the Son of God, the Hope of the world. May we seek Him also.

 And Mary pondered all these things. Luke 2:19

How could our lives be changed in seven short days? Like Mary, the physical discomfort as we travel the road of our life or the fear of troubles to come might plague us? As the unsuspecting shepherds, do we see the enemy surrounding us with sin? Do you see a great distance from where you are now to where you want to be? Maybe you, like the wise men, are waiting for a sign of when and what way you should go next. What is God’s will for you? Prayers might be answered as we kneel to praise the baby boy who grew up to die for our sins. Joy may radiate from your very being as you are freed from the chains of sin. Don’t push to the side the promises of the word of God instead as you gaze into the face of Hope this Christmas open and receive His salvation as His gift to you.

But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.” Luke 2:10

 After seeing Him, the shepherds told everyone what had happened and what the angel had said about this child. Luke 2:17