Glad Tidings from Anita!
If my Thanksgiving Day dinner is a precursor to the Christmas sesaon, I know I need to find peace amongst the chaos!
There is so much expectation wrapped up in the “perfect Christmas” we need a month of waiting and preparing our hearts for the true gift. On the Christian calendar, Advent is the beginning of the Christian year, not New Years Day and it began this year, last Sunday, on Dec. 3.
Advent is the “lead up” to Christmas. It is a waiting period for the arrival of the Messiah.
The four Sundays leading up to Christmas give us time to fully reflect on the wonder of our King and Savior coming to earth in a most unexpected way at a most unexpected time.
I like marking time on a calendar centered around the mystery of the King of Kings, the Three in One, the Good Shepherd rather than Black Friday Sales. It puts me in my place as a tiny speck on this turning ball in space, yet known even in my mothers womb. As Christians, we have our feet in two worlds.
And still, I fret over the smallest things, unconsequential on such a grand scale.
The Prince of Peace wasn’t laid in a gold inlaid crib, although that’s what he deserved, but in the humble simplicity of a stable.
Our barn is a modern day stable, built of pine 2 x 6’s, it’s shelter for Sunny and Dakota our old quarter horses, protected from the wind and rain.
There are wood shavings on the dirt floor to make it warmer and softer to sleep if they decide to lay down, also easier to keep clean. We put their grain and hay in a feeder attached to the wall in their barn. It’s an aluminum manger.
I wouldn’t want to put a newborn in there, or sleep there myself. Yet God chose to come to earth as a teeny tiny baby, in a barn full of animals born to a travelling virgin and her husband far from home , headed out to pay taxes.
Nothing about his arrival was what the Jews expected, or what we, today, are looking for. Jesus wasn’t recognized by most, even the holiest high priests missed the boat.
We look but don’t see, because God still shows up in surprising ways.
On a sign on the wall, in the lyrics of a song on the radio or an offhand comment overheard at the next table that might just be the missing piece of a puzzle.
Out of the blue. Literally. He’s there!
This Advent season maybe you’ll find time to ponder the true meaning of the Christmas season!
Anita, once again you've made a beautifully cogent point reminding us of the reason for the season. It is especially important this season as the world seems to be in such utter chaos. We need to turn to Christ the King to reestablish some order to this mess we have made. Pray for peace, certainly. But also pray for redemption. God bless you, Anita, and Merry Christmas.
Thank you Anita. We all need reminding why this Christmas thing is sooo big.
Humility is under rated. God's choice to introduce salvation in such an unsuspecting way is utterly wonderous.