They Spread The News

Today I started the long process of putting my Christmas decorations away.  I put up way too much so, of course, it is quite a job to pack it all up for another's year.  In November I placed each character of my nativity set in its proper place, thinking about each one and there place in the Christmas story.  Now as I reverse the process, I think, again, about the beautiful figurines.  I place Mary, Joseph, the precious baby and the flashy wise men in the cardboard box but as I place the shepherds in their place, I think of these men who were the first ones to hear the good news of the Messiah.  As the last character is placed in the box I remembered what the shepherds did after leaving the Messiah.  The bible says they told everyone they met about what they had been told concerning the child.

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 ‭NIV‬‬

I wondered if they had kept Jesus to themselves or like some, put the Savior in a box for another year, would the world know about Him now.  Sometimes we are tempted to leave our Savior in the manger and store Him away after Christmas when He longs to be a part of our everyday life.  He desires for us to know and love Him and spread the Word concerning His birth and His life, as the shepherds did that first Christmas night.  

My hearts desire is to tell others about God and our Lord, Jesus in this New Year.  

“Grace and peace be yours in abundance through the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord.”  2 Peter‬ ‭1:2‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Just Peachy

As he clung to the side of his cage, I could see that he needed more room to fly around.  My little love bird had long out grown his old “starter cage” and was ready for one he could move around in more.  So this year I asked for a new cage for “Peachy” as a Christmas gift and I got a nice roomy one for my not so excited feathered friend.  It was big enough for him to move around and not just cling to the side.  It had two perches and nice feeder bowls that hung from the “easy access” doors.  But this bewildered little bird fought me all the way, flapping his wings and biting “the hand that feeds him” until I thought I would cry.

Peachy was given a new start and a new way of life but unfortunately, Peachy was so used to the old ways that even after he got his new “life”, he clung to his old ways and spent his days hanging from the sides of his new cage.  

Sometimes I think I am much like my sweet Peachy!  God offers me peace, power and love but I cling to the old memories, old hurts and old worries!  What must our God think, when he offers us so much but we settle for so little?  

This New Year I want to be all He wants me to be and accept all He has for me.  The bible says God had our life planned even before we were born.  Have I hung on ferociously to old things instead of grasping my new freedom in Christ?  

Just an update on Peachy, he is now sitting on his new perches and spends less time on the sides of his new cage.  Lord, may I loosen my grasp on the past and enjoy what you have for me today and in this next year!