The Christmas season is fully upon us, and I'd like to pause amidst the craziness and talk about what it really means.
I love Christmas, the music, cookies, tree, decorations, presents. I love time with my family and the concept of peace on earth. But while preparing for the World Race as well as for Christmas, my focus should be on Jesus.
The word advent Advent means arrival, or coming, and is a time of expectant waiting and preparation for the celebration of the Nativity of Jesus at Christmas.
Today's culture makes Christmas into a time of stress, commercialism, greed, and overspending, when this should be a season to celebrate what life is really about.
The carol writers I think got it right. Often we sing these songs without really pondering what they mean. But as I read these words and mediate on their meaning, I get excited to celebrate Jesus coming to earth and to bring his Kingdom on the World Race.
Before the coming of Jesus, Israel was longing and waiting for thousands of years for the promised savior.
Oh, come, oh, come, Emmanuel,
And ransom captive Israel,
That mourns in lonely exile here
Until the Son of God appear.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to you, O Israel!
Jesus came to bring freedom, and I love this verse of O Holy Night:
Truly He taught us to love one another,
His law is love and His gospel is peace.
Chains he shall break, for the slave is our brother.
And in his name all oppression shall cease.
In Joy To The World, we see his truth being spread to the ends of the earth
He rules the world with truth and grace,
And makes the nations prove
The glories of His righteousness,
And wonders of His love,
And wonders of His love,
And wonders, wonders, of His love.
So, what is my response? The ending of In The Bleak Midwinter captures it perfectly
What can I give him, poor as I am?
If I were a shepherd, I would bring a lamb;
if I were a Wise Man, I would do my part;
yet what I can I give him: give my heart.
Merry Christmas everyone!
