I've been sitting here preparing to type a Christmas post, really more of one encompassing thoughts and feelings about the Advent season and all that it means as we anticipate the Gift. I have many thoughts on the necessity of the celebration of the Advent, how crucial it is in the life of a believer as we struggle, discover and understand the fullness of the Gospel. And while I've heard murmurings lately of Christians who have convictions about they themselves (and the Church as a whole) not celebrating Christmas, or the advent of it, I'm even more convinced than ever that God made our spirits to need this time. He made us to need to anticipate. Our emotions are so tied into not only what we have, but what we sense coming. To celebrate the birth of the One who means life, freedom, and love to His sheep is a most glorious way to show that we know without a doubt what that life, freedom and love have done for us. And so after thinking many grand thoughts that I might share with you, I was reminded of a beloved passage from Michael Card (a favorite musician/singer/author. Michael writes:
24 December 2007
celebrate the Child who is the Life
"If Christmas means anything to you, it must mean everything. It is a beginning and an end. It is a time of darkness and inexpressible light. It is a time of blessed relief at finally seeing all God's promises come true in one person. It is a time of tension as well, as we look ahead in the life of this dear little One, with a kind of historical omnipresence, because we know how it all will end, on earth anyway. As our family gathers around our faint, flickering candle to read the Christmas story, the loneliness of the stable reminds us of the loneliness of another place on a hill outside Jerusalem. The rough trough seems almost as cruel a place as a cross. The infant cries we hear coming from the stable seem no less desperate than His final cry, and no less forsaken. "
So, I hope that this Christmas, He will mean everything. He is no less than the one thing you need to be at peace. Merry Christmas to you and yours, and may He grant you His grace to know Him more and more.
Posted by Kristen at 17:37
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3 "atta girl"s:
He is no less than the one thing you need to be at peace.
Beautiful, Kristen. Beautifully done.
Thank you for that. I am often perplexed by those folks, who, though well meaning, decide to toss the entire Advent/Christmas insisting that it was only put there to take the place of a pagan ritual. To that I say, "Hurray". The world was a "dark land" and God had sent His Son, the Light of the World. Whatever the failings of the church from the 2nd century until the Reformation, plunking down Christmas on top of darkness was a good thing. As we are going about the business of taking the Gospel, we too are helping replace the darkness with light. Love you all.
Well said, Kristen! It seems as though, this year alone, I have heard MORE about Christians choosing not to celebrate Christmas than any other year. I even recently got into a "debate" with a friend over this.
While none of this has affected our love and celebration of Christmas, I have experienced a sense of sadness over these seemingly widespread convictions. As I was driving home this morning after dropping Greg off at work, I was brought to tears as I thought about those who think this wonderous time a time of darkness, evil and paganism. The beauty and awe of this season are very evident and my spirit is full as I reflect upon His miraculous birth!
Merry Christmas to you and your family!
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