The rain was chill, the night dark as I drove home last
night from a visit in the hospital. Fatigue made me long for the living room
and relaxation until . . . I started to note the homes lit up with
Christmas lights! White lights in their
simplicity, bright colored lights with their eye catching dazzle, simple
strings along a fence, elaborate displays that covered a whole house – with each
one I smiled and started to sing along with the carols on Sirius™
radio. Yes, I laughed out loud at the
displays that were in questionable taste – big, inflatable Santas, a forest of
plastic ‘candy canes’ in a front yard, but it was a moment of realization. The world is celebrating.
Do all know the reason for the Season? Probably not. It is true that for many it is an feast of consumerism. For others it is just a time of excess of spending, and food, and drink. And yet among all the clutter there are nativity scenes and invitations to “come and adore Him, born the King of Angels!”
Do all know the reason for the Season? Probably not. It is true that for many it is an feast of consumerism. For others it is just a time of excess of spending, and food, and drink. And yet among all the clutter there are nativity scenes and invitations to “come and adore Him, born the King of Angels!”
So, here is what I am going to do – I am going to join the
festival of light and as the kid’s song says, I’m gonna let my light shine!
I want to take some extra care to see the ‘invisible’ people that
surround us and try to make them feel respected, alive. I am going to pause to praise the King with
more intention. I will worship in Advent services with my whole being. I’ll let
a little light shine in my personal mission for this month to wish everybody a
"Merry Christmas" and a "God bless you" from the heart. Care to join me?
Let’s not just decorate our houses. With a child-like wonder
and a deliberate choice for joy, let’s enter into the celebration. Those shepherds
in old Bethlehem heard radiant angels sing and heard an announcement., There
was a decision they made that caused them to become participants in the wonder.
"That night there were shepherds
staying in the fields nearby, guarding their flocks of sheep. Suddenly, an
angel of the Lord appeared among them, and the radiance of the Lord’s glory
surrounded them. They were terrified, but the angel reassured them. “Don’t be
afraid!” he said. “I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all
people. The Savior—yes, the Messiah, the Lord—has been born today in Bethlehem,
the city of David! And you will recognize him by this sign: You will find a
baby wrapped snugly in strips of cloth, lying in a manger.” Suddenly, 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.” When the angels had returned to heaven, … “ What if they had
just shrugged, looked at each coolly, and said, “That was something,” and let
it pass?
They stirred themselves! “the shepherds said to each other, “Let’s go to Bethlehem! Let’s see this thing
that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.” They hurried to the village and found Mary and Joseph. And there
was the baby, lying in the manger." (Luke 2:8-16, NLT)
Celebrate! Worship! Welcome the Lord’s coming.
This is a word from the Word. "Listen! It’s the voice of someone shouting, “Clear the way
through the wilderness for the Lord! Make a straight highway through the
wasteland for our God! Fill in the valleys, and level the mountains and hills.
Straighten the curves, and smooth out the rough places. Then the glory of the
Lord will be revealed, and all people will see it together. The Lord has spoken!”
(Isaiah 40:3-5, NLT)
______________________
O Little Town Of Bethlehem (Saint Louis)
O little town of
Bethlehem
How still we see thee
lie
Above thy deep and
dreamless sleep
The silent stars go by
Yet in thy dark
streets shineth
The everlasting Light
The hopes and fears of
all the years
Are met in thee
tonight
For Christ is born of
Mary
And gathered all above
While mortals sleep
The angels keep their
watch of wondering love
O morning stars
together
Proclaim the holy
birth
And praises sing to
God the King
And peace to men on
earth
How silently how
silently
The wondrous gift is
given
So God imparts to
human hearts
The blessings of His
heaven
No ear may hear His
coming
But in this world of
sin
Where meek souls will
receive Him still
The dear Christ enters
in
O holy Child of
Bethlehem
Descend to us we pray
Cast out our sin and
enter in
Be born in us today
We hear the Christmas
angels
The great glad tidings
tell
O come to us abide
with us
Our Lord Emmanuel
Lewis Henry Redner | Phillips Brooks
© Words: Public Domain
