Searching For Christ at Christmas

To get caught-up in the glitter of Christmas is easy, with all the decorations and lights. The new movies this year, along with some of the old ones, make for a wonderful lazy day or a “feel good” afternoon. It certainly does something to me. My heart feels lighter and full of joy. However, this year, well it is a little different. I still love the glitter of Christmas but something is missing.

The Hallmark movies, although enjoyable, are not capturing Christmas for me. I have found myself frantically looking for it. There is something, better yet, Someone, missing. It is Jesus. It is His story. Hallmark is full with stories of newfound love. What about the “old” (for lack of a better word) love? The one shown to us many years ago? Our hearts soar at the idea of two people finding their way to each other. What about a Father who sent His very own Son for all people simply because He loved them? Do our hearts soar for that? We find whimsical love stories more believable and enjoyable than one of a loving Father willing to give us His Best.

I settled down on the couch with a blanket in anticipation of a Hallmark afternoon. Or, so I thought. I needed to feel Christmas. Not just, see it. I was not looking for the “feel-good” aspect of it. I was looking to feel the real part of it. With my whole heart, I asked God to show me Christmas.  That is exactly what He wanted to do. Am I ready for it? Oh Lord, I hope so!  

Time had come for Mary’s baby to be born. This was her first baby, therefore, she had no idea what to expect. My guess is she felt somewhat frightened. (I know I did.) Had she heard stories from others of their experience? Did her mother tell her anything at all? Or, was she too ashamed of the pregnancy to prepare her? When Mary went to visit Elizabeth (who was “well along in years”) had they shared their concerns and fears of what the actual delivery would be like? Of course, Elizabeth was full of joy finally being pregnant, so perhaps she never thought of the actual giving birth. But, Mary? She had not even experienced a marital relationship, so she definitely did not know what to expect.  Fear had to be felt that night. How could it not be?

Had she imagined her baby would be born in a place like this? After all, the angel had told her, “He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High” (Luke 1:32). She was not giving birth to simply a sweet new life; she was giving birth to the Son of the Most High, God. This changed everything. Perhaps her labor pains were intense enough that where she gave birth didn’t really matter.  The anticipation of finally holding this little life growing inside her had to be high. What color would his eyes be? What about the color of his hair? Better yet, what will the Son of God look like? Fear and anticipation held hands that night. Fear of the pain possibly ahead and anticipation of seeing the Christ child. Her heart was full!

I haven't seen any movies capturing this story, true story, at all. (Maybe I’m looking on the wrong channel.) The nativities displayed even seem to feel a little cold and distant, as if it were just a story that had never been true. Where is Christ this Christmas? I desperately wanted to know.

The wise men went looking for Him. “Where is He that is born King of the Jews” (Matthew 2:2). Because they were looking…they found Him! That is what I had to do. I had to search for Him. It was up to me to find Him this Christmas. Jeremiah 29:13 says, “You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart.”

Jesus was there all along. He had not left the scene of Christmas; I had overlooked Him. Now when I look at the lights (even with the colored ones) on my trees (yes, I have more than one), I imagine the stars in the sky that perfect night the Messiah was born. I think of Mary and the anticipation she must have felt waiting to hold this perfect life that had been growing inside her. I think of Joseph, wide-eyed in wonder of it all. I even think of the animals in the stable (what were they even thinking?). The angels surely anticipated seeing what the One who had lived with them in heaven would look like in flesh. Then I think of the Father. His plan for our redemption was just beginning on earth. The Way to Him was being born. How could I not think of those things?

It is up to us to look for Christ in Christmas...open your eyes because He is there!

In awe of Him,

Vonda

"Who Do You Say That I Am?"

We live in a world that has decided who God is. HE's been reduced to mere humanity. No longer is HE just, no longer is HE sovereign and no longer is HE perfect. HE is filled with flaws. The world has stripped the living God from everything that makes HIM exactly who HE is. Unfortunately, even Christians today look at who the world says God is and easily point fingers and condemn. Sadly, I have been, and at times still am, one of them. (I do not admit that with pride. It is with deep conviction.) I, too, have reduced God to who I wanted HIM to be. And that also makes HIM flawed.

In Matthew 16:13 Jesus asked HIS disciples, "Who do people say that the Son of Man is?" And they responded with what they had heard. The world has given its own definition of who they think God is, as well. But it's HIS next question to the disciples in verse 15 that stirs me, "But who do you say that I am?" Now Jesus gets personal. I believe it was the main question that HE was really asking. The very ones that were following HIM were the ones who needed to be convinced of who HE really was. If they didn't know for sure, then how could they tell others? 
     
We get angry when the world's definition of who God is doesn't line up with HIS word. But what about when we, as Christians, have made up our own ideas of who God is? We tend to expect the world's definition of God to be spot on and yet feel pretty good about our own. Do we really believe HE is just? Do we really believe HE is sovereign? Do we really believe HE is perfect? The right answer would be to say "yes". But, is it always the truth?
     
It's a personal question God is asking me, too. "Regardless of who the world says that I am, and regardless of who other Christians say that I am, what matters the most right now, Vonda, is who do you say that I am?"  That really struck home. Before I point and condemn others, I need to take a long hard look at myself. Right smack in the middle of adversity who do I say and truly believe God is? When it feels like my world is falling apart, who do I say and truly believe God is?

If I am not convinced that HE is just, sovereign, perfect and 100% flawless then how can I tell others?  

In awe of HIM,
Vonda 

“Unbind him and let him go!”

John 11:1-44

Mary and Martha had sent word to Jesus that their brother Lazarus, His dear friend, was sick. Instead of stopping, what He was doing and going straight to his side, Jesus waited two more days. By the time He had gotten there, Lazarus had been dead four days. Four whole days! Jesus was too late to heal him. However, it was not going to stop Jesus from showing them God’s glory, even if they did believe He had been too late. 

Placed at the entrance of the tomb, was a large stone. However, it was not going to deter Jesus! With a loud voice He said, “Take away the stone.” Martha spoke up and reminded Him that Lazarus had been dead four days. There would be an odor and it would be horrible! Aww, but Jesus had a plan. With His eyes lifted toward heaven He prayed aloud. After all, it was for their benefit that he did so. Then loudly Jesus called him by name and said, “Lazarus, come out.” And that’s exactly what he did…he came out! (John 11:43-44) The one, who had died four days earlier, now completely alive, came out of the tomb. I wonder if anyone fainted at the site of a man who had been dead now coming forth for all to see. I can only imagine.

Lazarus’ body had been prepared for burial after he had died. His hands and feet were bound with linen strips (NLT says ‘grave clothes’) and his face was wrapped with a cloth. As he stood in front of everyone, fully alive, Jesus said, “Unbind him, and let him go.” With those words spoken, Lazarus was free from what had him bound in the tomb. It had let him go. No longer was he dead; no longer was he bound. He was free.

That speaks volumes to my soul. Jesus spoke to the very thing that had Lazarus bound, the very thing that kept him from being free. (Did you get that?)That gives me goosebumps. Lazarus, being alive again and yet still bound, would never have experienced complete freedom. After all, how beneficial would life be if it were being lived in bondage? Jesus, with His infinite power and wisdom, knew it. To live free, the thing that had him bound was the exact same thing that had to let him go. After all, His plan had been to set Lazarus completely free and not to be confined.

There were four directives given by Jesus:

1)    take away the stone - remove the obstacle

2)    come out - do not stay in

3)    unbind him – release what is holding

4)    let him go - experience freedom

Jesus still does that for us today. He removes the obstacles that keep us in and He speaks to the very things that have us bound. It is so we can personally experience freedom. 

“If the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.” John 8:36

In awe of Him,

Vonda

 ** Just a thought **

Have you ever wondered who, or what, “them” were? Was it the people close by who Jesus said to unbind Lazarus and let him go? Or was it actually the grave clothes? Just who or what were “them”…

 Am I the only one who has ever pondered that? Nonetheless, either scenario works! After all, we are talking about Jesus. Things happen when He speaks! 

Time Lost

It’s sad when your eyes are finally opened to time that has been lost. Time that you cannot get back. Time that has been wasted. Regret starts to sink in. You can’t go back and change anything. “I’m sorry” is no longer possible to say. It’s really hard when you have to admit that that particular time is now gone.

There’s been too much death lately. Yet, we know that it is inevitable. Our loved ones will pass on from this life, the life we share with them. It doesn’t make it easy whatsoever to know that it is a part of life. It just explains it. So, what are we, am I, going to do with the time we, I, have now? That’s the important question.

I’ve lost time with loved ones that could have been different.  I truly could have spent more time with them. I could have allowed them to even impact my life in a positive way, if only I had looked. But I didn’t, I chose not to. I let the negative (my insecurity) overpower instead of looking where there could have been positive. Yes, I am ashamed. Yes, I’d love to go back in time, change it and make it better. But I can’t. That time is now lost. Quite honestly, I don’t do well losing things. Normally I try to find whatever is lost. Especially, if it has value to it. Why is it so different with people? Why do we, I, settle with knowing we, I, could do better in finding time and then don’t? How important is it? These past few days have taught me how valuable time really is.

I have family that I haven’t seen in quite a while. At least, that is, until lately. Recently I’ve spent time with them for an important occasion. Not a joyous one, but an important one nonetheless. One rainy afternoon we gathered with a cousin as he and his daughters, laid his wife and their mother to rest. Time had not been on their side. In fact, it had been robbed from them. (Or was it? God knew the when, where and how. He knew the condition of each heart.) Satan had come to “steal and kill and destroy” (John 10:10) their family. For the outsider looking in it could have easily appeared as if he had succeeded. And just for a moment, we could have believed it to. But what the Enemy cannot steal, kill nor destroy are the memories that had been shared. According to our cousin’s pictures and stories, even the things we’d personally witnessed, they’d shared some really great ones! Laughter had once been in their home. It had filled their hearts. Attending church and worshiping the Lord together as a family had really happened. Those times were real…that’s what Satan cannot take. It’s those things we have to hold on to. We don’t hold on to things we wish were different. We have to let those go. If we don’t, then Satan wins. What determines if he wins or not will be what we choose to remember.

That even holds true for us as we look back and see where we could have spent more time with our loved ones. I really could have. The invitation was there to do so, but I chose not to. Is that what I’m going to remember? That the sad truth is I chose not to? Or am I going to allow myself to remember the last good time together? The answer is simple…do I want Satan to win or not? No!!

Just six days after laying one loved one to rest another one is said good-bye to. Once again Satan tried to steal, kill and destroy a life. And again he didn’t win! Just a few days before his last breath he’d gotten it right! He’d asked Jesus into his heart and to be his Lord and Savior. Although cancer had spread throughout his body the knowledge of knowing where he’d spend eternity was more real. That was priceless for his siblings and his children to know. And yes for the rest of us, too.

I do have regrets of not knowing my cousins better. I really do. Regret and knowing that I let them down can flood my heart. I missed out on what could have been. But I can’t change that now. At least, not with those who’ve passed on. But I can with those who are still here.

Psalm 90:12> Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.

In awe of Him,

~ Vonda

The Anticipation

     The forecast said snow. That’s a word we don’t hear often in the south. Especially, in  Alabama. Folks around these parts get a little crazy. Emotions range anywhere from dread to joy. Me? I get excited! I want all the snow I can get! 

     Just like a child I anxiously awaited the snow. I fell asleep in the living room just so I could glance out the window to catch a peek. I didn't want to miss it! I knew if I crawled in my bed I would stay there. I might miss the early morning view; the one just before daybreak, while it is still falling. To me, it is simply magical. My thoughts always drift to a place where I find comfort. And for a moment my soul feels at peace. The inner child in me is delighted.

     I’ve never really thought a lot about Advent. I guess you could say I’ve just gone through the motions of doing the devotionals. They spoke to my heart at the time yet they didn’t seem to stick. But this year, something clicked. Here I was anticipating the coming of snow. Something that, although is beautiful, won’t last. It does cover the ugliness of things with a blanket of pure white. It hides everything, even if it is just for a time. But… it will go away. What’s underneath the snow will be revealed. It won’t stay hidden forever.

(Luke 8:17> “For nothing is concealed that won’t be revealed, and nothing hidden that won’t be made known and come to light.”)

     To me, Advent was for Christmas. It’s a time to anticipate the coming or arrival of the Messiah. Many Jews eagerly awaited His coming. He just didn’t come like they had expected. There were no trumpet sounds, no big celebration, and not even one or two dignitaries present. Those who were there were shepherds and animals. The shepherds came because during their watch an angel of the Lord appeared and told them what had happened. Outside of that, they wouldn’t have known. There would have been no reason for them to. They certainly were not important; dignitaries they were not! Yet, God chose to reveal His Gift to mankind to the least among men, first. (With the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God had shown up.) And as for the animals…they smelled! Surely the Messiah would not be born among smelly animals and unimportant people. So why in the world would the Jews have expected the Messiah to have come like He did? They wouldn’t have. The Wise Men knew something extraordinary had happened. They saw the star. The only problem was they went to where they thought a baby born as king of the Jews would be – Herod’s home. But the baby wasn’t there. Even they were caught off guard. Nothing was like it should’ve been; or so they thought.

     In my anticipation for the snow to come I realized I didn’t anticipate His return in the same way. I had felt like a child at Christmas with all the excitement and joy one could feel at the mere mention of snow. I eagerly awaited it and could hardly sleep. For years I’ve known that Jesus is coming back to reclaim what is His. Yet, I’d not felt excitement. At least, not like I did with the snow. Slowly I began to feel sadness. Here I was celebrating the idea of snow and had yet even thought of celebrating the knowledge of knowing He is coming back. Even though the weatherman predicted snow, let’s get real; they’ve been wrong about the weather before. Unlike the weatherman, God’s Word is never wrong. It’s time to wake up and truly anticipate the right thing, the 100% true thing…He is coming back.

     Through reading more about Advent this year, I’ve learned that we are still looking for His coming or arrival. This time we know that He will be coming to stay. Everyone on the face of this earth will know who He is. There will be no mistake. The long awaited King will have returned. Trumpets will sound upon His arrival. As for a celebration, well, all of creation has waited for His returning so you bet there will be one!

Just like I anticipated the snow that night, this time I am definitely anticipating His return.

In awe of Him,

~Vonda