God

Making Sense of Christmas

/ Bill Jones / 12 Comments
Birth of Jesus Matthew 2:1

Birth of Jesus Matthew 2:1 (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

(This post is part of the ChristianWriters.com blog chain for December – The theme is Christmas sense(s))

I struggle at times making sense of Christmas. Why did the God of Creation leave Heaven and come to earth – especially as a baby?

Then, at some time in the season, God blesses me with a glimpse of clarity. Last year, as it has often been in past years, it was our church’s Christmas Cantata. The theme was “Peace” – the peace from God, peace with God, the peace of God. It was a beautiful, focused hour of worship, with Scripture, meditations, and songs celebrating the birth of Jesus. The Son of God became a man and dwelt among us – and His life, death, and resurrection redeemed us and brought us peace.

The songs spoke of that redemption and that peace: “Bring the hour that banished sadness, brought redemption down to earth” (Stars of Glory). “Hail, thou ever blessed morn. Hail, redemption’s happy dawn (See Amid the Winter Snow). “The Prince of Peace has come, rejoice and sing Noel!” (Watchman).

The reading of Isaiah 53:5 reminded us that our peace came at a high price. “But he was wounded for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his stripes we are healed.” ESV

The sorrow came later in His life on earth, but, on that first Christmas night long ago, there was rejoicing because the promised and long awaited Messiah had come. And, on the night of our cantata, the voice of a child reading the story brought tears to my eyes as the truth was revealed once more:

“And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.”  Luke 2:8-14 KJV

Peace, as man defines it, will not occur – no matter how hard we try. However, peace, as defined by God, has been accomplished through that baby born in Bethlehem – and He is Jesus the Christ. I still can’t make sense of it all – but I do greatly rejoice in it!

“Infant holy, Infant lowly…Christ the Babe is Lord of All.” (Infant Holy, Infant Lowly)

Reflecting God’s Light in a Dark World

/ Bill Jones / 5 Comments

Caladiums Lighting the Darkness

Here are last Spring’s caladiums under the Dogwood tree. As you see, I plant the white ones with a few green veins. I like this variety because we can see them “glowing” in the shade, and they seem to light up the darkness.

Of course they don’t create light on their own. They only gather and reflect the light around them. It makes for a pleasant scene in the middle of the day when the sun is bright – But it’s also pleasant in the darkness when they pick up whatever light there is around, and do seem to glow in the dark.

We also need to be reflecting God’s light to those around us in the darkness. Our attitude, our caring for and loving others may be the only light they see.

“For it is you who light my lamp; the LORD my God lightens my darkness.” Psalms 18:28 ESV

As the Deer Pants for Water….

/ Bill Jones / 8 Comments

Kittens Say It’s Supper Time

These kittens know what’s inside the door and that it’s time for it to be brought out to their food bowl. They jump on the door and scratch in anticipation. Squeaks, purrs, and meows fill the air. They strain to see any indication they will be fed. They’re not really starving, but apparently they feel like they are.

“As the deer pants for the water brooks, So pants my soul for You, O God.” Psalms 42:1 NKJV

The kittens’ antics reminded me of the verse above. As I understand it, from the Hebrew, the deer is panting because of thirst from being pursued. That’s a true need of water. More severe than the kittens’ hunger, but the kittens don’t know that. To them, their need is for food and that’s what they pursue.

We can learn from the deer and the kittens. Our soul’s need is God. He is Who we need to pursue.

Lord, help our souls  pant for you – to pursue being close to you – For you are the Bread of Life and the Living Water.

Heirlooms – Inherited Estates Aren’t Always Good, but can be Wonderful

/ Bill Jones / 30 Comments
Son of God, Son of Man

Son of God, Son of Man (Photo credit: pmarkham)

I was sidetracked from my “heirloom” blog this week. On Tuesday, I went to the ER with chest pains and by the end of the day had a heart cath performed and a stent put in. The Lord had put me in the right place at the right time – 2 blocks from the hospital – and has been with me, and sent me home yesterday. So grateful for His care!

I did have some time to think about the blog, though – As others have written, an heirloom is “A valued possession passed down in a family through succeeding generations. Or, an article of personal property included in an inherited estate.”

My father died from a heart attack when he was 63 (I’m 60), so some of my problem most likely was passed down through generations. It certainly isn’t a “valued possession”, and not technically property, but you can say it was included in an “inherited estate”.

I have another ancestor who gave me an inherited estate – Adam. His sin has passed down through all human generations. I was born a sinner, and am still a sinner.

But, praise God, I’m a sinner saved by grace – because my inherited estate (heirloom) is now as a child of God.

“For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, “Abba, Father.” The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs–heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together.” Romans 8:14-17 NKJV

Please check out the other “heirloom” blogs from the ChristianWriters.com blog chain, on the appropriate dates in the list on the right.