What this Christmas means to me

OneAccord · #1 12-14-2008, 02:50 PM

For my AFF friends…. What this Christmas means to me.

When I think of Christmas, I think of Dad bending down to pick up a gift, calling the recipients name and passing it to them. This reminds me of the people who stop what they are doing, bend down on their knees to pray for, not just a friend, or a family member, but often, for a stranger, in need. They call the persons name in prayer, and they pray until they receive a word of encouragement for one whose face they may never see. With compassion, they pass their gift of heart felt prayer, an encouraging word, or nothing more than their friendship, to the one in need. What greater gift can ever be received than to know we aren’t alone in this troubled world?

When I think of Christmas, I think of unwrapped gifts being examined, bows ribbons and wrappings strewn about the floor. This reminds me of the “untidiness” of this forum at times. The disagreeing, the heated discussions, the disagreements. But none of that matters. Our heated words pale in comparison to the gifts of friendship that abound in our hearts. Yes, things get a little disorderly, but rising above the fray are the treasured gifts- the gifts of friendships- the gifts of knowing that, when we really need someone to encourage us -to pray for us- or to just make us laugh again, we can count on God’s precious gift, our friends. Our focus should never be on the clutter around us- but, rather on the gifts He has bestowed upon us. The gifts of friends, many of whom we may never meet.

I think of the tree, an evergreen tree, standing tall, the centerpiece of the room. The tree represents to me God’s everlasting gift of His undying love for us. Love. Such a small word, yet an all encompassing word. God didn’t just say “I love you”- He shows us His love in many, many ways. We get so caught up in life that, sometimes, its hard to see. But just stop. Think of these words: “For God so loved the world, He gave…” He gave His Son. He gave life eternal. He gave us “great, exceeding precious promises“. And He gave us, not only our natural families, but He also gave us a Christian family that spans the globe. He gave us the ability to love, and He gave us the means to express that love- be it a kind word, a small gift or a simple prayer. Love isn’t expressed in mere words that fade, but love is shown in our deeds. Love is the very expression of God between us. Love is the hallmark of a Christian. They love God. They love their friends and family. They love, even those who count themselves as our enemies. Love never falls. Its not here today and gone tomorrow. God has given us faith. He has blessed us with hope. But our greatest desire should be that He gives us love.

I think of the multi-colored lights twinkling brightly. The ornaments reflecting the lights. It’s amazing how Jesus called such a wide ranging group of people to be his disciples. A doctor walked with him. One of Israel’s most despised persons, a tax collector- followed Jesus. Ignorant and unlearned fishermen sat at the feet of the Master. The Christian family is a great melting pot. Different cultures, races, and nationalities can come together only through and by the shed Blood of Jesus Christ to become God‘s Church. These are the multi-colored lights and ornaments that reflect His Light into the darkness of a sinful world. Think of it…Isa 66:18 “…it shall come, that I will gather all nations and tongues; and they shall come, and see my glory” We see His glory when we see people speaking with kindness and love to one another, even it is for the purpose of correction. We see His glory when we read how God is blessing His people. We see His glory when we hear that in Brazil, God is drawing sinners unto Him. We see His glory when we here how God has answered a prayer in Canada. The light of God’s Word doesn’t come from mere words printed in a Book., but rather when we allow those Words to come alive in our very hearts and lives and we act on those Words. That is Glory. Glory twinkles in the darkness when God’s people allow His glory to shine through them. After all, we are but reflections of Jesus, are we not?

I think of the star on top of the tree, representing the Christ, the very reason for the season. Usually, the star on top of the tree is white. And there’s good reason for that. Within white light, they tell me is all the colors of the spectrum. The Light of the Word shines brightest when we let our lights shine together for Him. When all of our “colors” come together, it creates a brilliance of white light that casts away all darkness. Jesus is “…that true Light that shineth in darkness”. But He can only shine as bright as we allow Him to shine through us. Jesus said that it is by our love one for another that people can know that we are His. He prayed that we would be as one, so “… the world may believe that thou hast sent me.” (John 17:21). By coming together as one, just as He intended, we will be as “a city set on a hill that cannot be hid…”.

Christmas has a different meaning for me this year. Its not just a day to commemorate the day of the Lord’s Birth. But it’s a day to commemorate the life that He breathed into us when He became the Lord of our lives. How great is our God. Not only has He given us freedom from our sinful past, but He’s also given us grace for the present and great hope for the future. He has come that we “…. might have life, and that [we] might have it more abundantly“.

This Christmas for me, is vastly different than Christmas’ of the past. It isn’t as joyous as in days gone by. My house isn’t decorated as it usually is… no tree stands at the window, no Christmas carols are heard…. But… in a quiet way, I rejoice that Christ has come. I rejoice that He has graced me with His goodness. I rejoice that He has made me a small part of His family. And I rejoice in knowing, that, though this has been a difficult year, He has never failed me. And never will. May God bless you this Christmas season… and every season.

Falla39 · #2 12-14-2008, 09:53 PM

Bro. OneAccord,

Gone most of the day and came in and read your post! It is beautiful, Brother!
Simply beautiful!! Thank you for writing this today!

I sense you have found the peace that passeth all understanding, keeping your
heart and mind, through Christ Jesus.

I recognize it because I have felt this same
peace in days gone by. It's always there when we need it! How wonderful! How
marvelous!!

Hugs, (motherly, of course!)

Falla39

Esther · #3 12-14-2008, 10:08 PM

oa I don't take the time to read a lot of long post as I just don't have the time. But I try most of the time to take a minute to read your post. As always you have something worthwhile to say.

God bless you this year to have a great and peaceful Christmas.

Cindy · #4 12-14-2008, 10:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OneAccord

For my AFF friends…. What this Christmas means to me.

When I think of Christmas, I think of Dad bending down to pick up a gift, calling the recipients name and passing it to them. This reminds me of the people who stop what they are doing, bend down on their knees to pray for, not just a friend, or a family member, but often, for a stranger, in need. They call the persons name in prayer, and they pray until they receive a word of encouragement for one whose face they may never see. With compassion, they pass their gift of heart felt prayer, an encouraging word, or nothing more than their friendship, to the one in need. What greater gift can ever be received than to know we aren’t alone in this troubled world?

When I think of Christmas, I think of unwrapped gifts being examined, bows ribbons and wrappings strewn about the floor. This reminds me of the “untidiness” of this forum at times. The disagreeing, the heated discussions, the disagreements. But none of that matters. Our heated words pale in comparison to the gifts of friendship that abound in our hearts. Yes, things get a little disorderly, but rising above the fray are the treasured gifts- the gifts of friendships- the gifts of knowing that, when we really need someone to encourage us -to pray for us- or to just make us laugh again, we can count on God’s precious gift, our friends. Our focus should never be on the clutter around us- but, rather on the gifts He has bestowed upon us. The gifts of friends, many of whom we may never meet.

I think of the tree, an evergreen tree, standing tall, the centerpiece of the room. The tree represents to me God’s everlasting gift of His undying love for us. Love. Such a small word, yet an all encompassing word. God didn’t just say “I love you”- He shows us His love in many, many ways. We get so caught up in life that, sometimes, its hard to see. But just stop. Think of these words: “For God so loved the world, He gave…” He gave His Son. He gave life eternal. He gave us “great, exceeding precious promises“. And He gave us, not only our natural families, but He also gave us a Christian family that spans the globe. He gave us the ability to love, and He gave us the means to express that love- be it a kind word, a small gift or a simple prayer. Love isn’t expressed in mere words that fade, but love is shown in our deeds. Love is the very expression of God between us. Love is the hallmark of a Christian. They love God. They love their friends and family. They love, even those who count themselves as our enemies. Love never falls. Its not here today and gone tomorrow. God has given us faith. He has blessed us with hope. But our greatest desire should be that He gives us love.

I think of the multi-colored lights twinkling brightly. The ornaments reflecting the lights. It’s amazing how Jesus called such a wide ranging group of people to be his disciples. A doctor walked with him. One of Israel’s most despised persons, a tax collector- followed Jesus. Ignorant and unlearned fishermen sat at the feet of the Master. The Christian family is a great melting pot. Different cultures, races, and nationalities can come together only through and by the shed Blood of Jesus Christ to become God‘s Church. These are the multi-colored lights and ornaments that reflect His Light into the darkness of a sinful world. Think of it…Isa 66:18 “…it shall come, that I will gather all nations and tongues; and they shall come, and see my glory” We see His glory when we see people speaking with kindness and love to one another, even it is for the purpose of correction. We see His glory when we read how God is blessing His people. We see His glory when we hear that in Brazil, God is drawing sinners unto Him. We see His glory when we here how God has answered a prayer in Canada. The light of God’s Word doesn’t come from mere words printed in a Book., but rather when we allow those Words to come alive in our very hearts and lives and we act on those Words. That is Glory. Glory twinkles in the darkness when God’s people allow His glory to shine through them. After all, we are but reflections of Jesus, are we not?

I think of the star on top of the tree, representing the Christ, the very reason for the season. Usually, the star on top of the tree is white. And there’s good reason for that. Within white light, they tell me is all the colors of the spectrum. The Light of the Word shines brightest when we let our lights shine together for Him. When all of our “colors” come together, it creates a brilliance of white light that casts away all darkness. Jesus is “…that true Light that shineth in darkness”. But He can only shine as bright as we allow Him to shine through us. Jesus said that it is by our love one for another that people can know that we are His. He prayed that we would be as one, so “… the world may believe that thou hast sent me.” (John 17:21). By coming together as one, just as He intended, we will be as “a city set on a hill that cannot be hid…”.

Christmas has a different meaning for me this year. Its not just a day to commemorate the day of the Lord’s Birth. But it’s a day to commemorate the life that He breathed into us when He became the Lord of our lives. How great is our God. Not only has He given us freedom from our sinful past, but He’s also given us grace for the present and great hope for the future. He has come that we “…. might have life, and that [we] might have it more abundantly“.

This Christmas for me, is vastly different than Christmas’ of the past. It isn’t as joyous as in days gone by. My house isn’t decorated as it usually is… no tree stands at the window, no Christmas carols are heard…. But… in a quiet way, I rejoice that Christ has come. I rejoice that He has graced me with His goodness. I rejoice that He has made me a small part of His family. And I rejoice in knowing, that, though this has been a difficult year, He has never failed me. And never will. May God bless you this Christmas season… and every season.

Amen.