Receiving Your Christmas Gift

There is crispness in the air, the smells of pine and spices permeating my senses, and bright multi-colored lights adorning the landscapes around me…Christmas is coming…Christmas is here!

Warm memories flood my mind as I remember Christmas as a child. My Mom always bought a fresh cut pinion tree from the Boy Scout lot. Although it never fit the “image” of Christmas trees you would see in story books, it was big and beautiful. We decorated the tree with an abundance of colored lights and bulbs of caricatures in different hues. One of my favorite things to do was lie under the tree, looking up at the lights before I went to bed and first thing in the morning when it was still dark out.

Christmas was the one time a year my parents splurged on the five of us children. They would wrap one big gift for each of us, as well as many smaller items so that a wealth of brightly wrapped packages fought for space under the tree. We also had a manger scene under the tree and, although I loved looking at baby Jesus in His crib, the other trimmings drew my attention away from thinking about His birth.

Santa Claus was also part of our family tradition. Every year our family placed baked cookies and something for Santa Claus to drink. The anticipation of Christmas morning would mount each passing day, until finally, when we were about to burst, Christmas Eve would arrive. It was always so difficult to find sleep, the excitement was extreme. I remember trying to stay awake to hear Santa deliver our gifts. Although I was desperate to know what awaited me, I also never dared to peek out and see Santa for fear that I would forfeit my gifts for Christmas. The evasive sleep would finally overcome me, and I would awaken to Christmas morning. Although groggy, my senses would slowly return, and then came the great realization…It was Christmas! My siblings and I would run to see what was under the tree. The room would be dark except for the colored Christmas lights. We would admire the beauty of all the colors and packages.

The marveling was always short-lived, because soon our parents would call us to get ready for the early morning Catholic Mass. This tradition was a good time to refocus on the meaning of Christmas, although as a child, sitting through Mass with all that awaited me at home did not hold my attention for long. Christmas was magical and innocent as a child; yet I remember the enchantment ended when I learned there was no real benevolent man named Santa.

The loss of childhood Christmas magic has been replaced with the peace of Christmas I have discovered as an adult. The excitement built for a day has been replaced with the joy of Christmas every day, and the anticipation of Jesus Christ returning.

Here is Christmas truth. The tradition of Christmas being celebrated on the 25^th of December cannot be found in the Bible. Although this may not be the actual day Christ Jesus was born, it is the day we celebrate His birth; and His birth represents an opportunity to know God personally for all of eternity. The season surrounding Christmas is a time when people become a little kinder, and each of us is a little more mindful and altruistic of our “neighbor” and others in need. Christmas is also one of the two holidays where people who never regularly attend church, tend to go to a service. It is a time when mankind seemingly becomes more self-reflective, and considers what it is he/she believes to be true regarding God and what Jesus’ birth means for his/her life. What is important about celebrating Jesus’ birth is the realization of the gift that came to us through the God-child, Jesus, as the gift of our salvation.

In the Old Testament, we read in Isaiah 7:14, the prediction written some 700 years before the birth of Jesus and of His much anticipated arrival. “The Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and shall call His name Immanuel.”

This prophesy was fulfilled and we read about it in Matthew 1:18-23, “Now the birth of Jesus Christ was as follows: After His mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Spirit. Then Joseph, her husband, being a just man, and not wanting to make her a public example, was minded to put her away secretly (break the engagement). But while he thought about these things, an Angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, ‘Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary for you wife, for what she has conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. And she will bring forth a Son, and shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.’ So all this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying: ‘Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel, which is translated, ‘God with us.’” “But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption as sons” (Galatians 4:4).

Jesus, was in the beginning, and in God’s plan, the Son who would redeem those who were far away from Him due to sin (sin is knowing what we ought to do, and then not doing it). We all fit into this category; we have all sinned, and fallen short of God’s glory. Jesus was born, lived a life without sin, and then gave His life as an offering for our sin. He died and rose again, conquering death for each of us. But it all began with His foretold birth. However, just like a Christmas present wrapped in brilliant colored paper, the present does not become ours until we open it and receive it as our own. If a gift stays under the tree, we have not received it as ours.

With the gift of Jesus, we receive Him by confessing our need for Him and asking forgiveness for choosing to go our own way instead of His. This is how we can be saved, how we receive eternal HOPE.  The separation that was once a huge chasm between God and us can be bridged through what Jesus did for us with His life. The birth of Jesus is good news! It is something to get excited about! As we draw near to Him, He draws near to us and we can live in a devoted relationship with God, forever.

I still enjoy the lights and tinsel, the Christmas music and warm wishes from passersby, as well as exchanging gifts with loved ones. Yet, the greatest gift I could have ever received came though the birth of Jesus, Immanuel, our God with us. Through His birth (and death), I received the forgiveness of my sins; the washing clean of my soul; the promise of eternal life; and daily joyfulness. I do not wait for December to celebrate Christmas; I live in the grandeur of Christmas all-year round!

Christmas is coming…Christmas is here… I live in Christmas each day of the year!

Have you "opened" your Christ Gift?

Giving Thanks in the Midst of Difficulty

The holiday of Thanksgiving is just around the corner and I think about the joy that comes with the gathering of our family and loved ones. Although the first Thanksgiving may have included a less elaborate feast, beyond that, our traditions today vaguely resemble that which the founding fathers of our country enjoyed. Much of the early settlers' celebration was in giving thanks to God for the bounty He had provided them in their new country. Our Thanksgiving today may be more focused on eating ourselves into oblivion, watching football, and searching through the black Friday ads of sales that kick-off the holiday shopping season. God may not even be a part of our day, and if He is, rarely is He given more than an honorable mention.

As I consider Thanksgiving, I believe it is something that we are supposed to celebrate more than one day a year in November. I believe it is an attitude of our heart and that we are to live in a perpetual state of thanks.

I tried counting in a Bible concordance the many times the word thank, thanks, thankful, thank worthy, and thanksgiving were found in the Bible and I counted over 137 times. When I recollected the many teachings and illustrations of when Jesus healed and changed a life, I wondered how many times the recipient told Him thank you. The importance of gratitude is evidenced in the account in Luke 17:12 when Jesus draws attention to those who failed to thank Him for their healing. 

The message tells of ten men who were covered with leprosy. Leprosy was a terrible disease where the patient lost feeling in their various limbs and often they would get cuts and ulcers from the inability to feel pain when they hurt themselves. The skin would decay and eventually the person would die. The disease was considered very contagious, so when diagnosed with leprosy the person would be outcast from their homes and community and sent to live a lonely isolated existence. If they were around other people they would have to loudly announce themselves as “unclean”, bringing further shame. The ten men with leprosy heard about Jesus and His healing. They ventured close enough as He was coming through their area so that they could call out from a distance asking Jesus to have pity on them. Jesus heard their cries and told them to go show themselves to the Priest which was the one who would determine if someone had been healed. They obeyed and began to walk in faith toward the Priest’s house. As they traveled they found themselves to be cured and cleansed of the leprosy. You can imagine the celebration that would be taking place as they realized they once were outcast, and now they could be brought back into community. However, out of the ten cured lepers only one ran back to Jesus and worshiped Him at His feet and thanked Him. Only one out of the ten. Jesus asked, “Were there not ten of you? Where are the other nine?“

How often do we fail to recognize God’s blessings and intervention in our lives? I know there are times that I have experienced very difficult trials, and when I am in the midst of the difficulty giving thanks is the last thing I think of. Nevertheless, on the other side of the trial, I find the blessing that I would have never conceived possible. For example, I think about how hard it was to experience a divorce. There was nothing good about it. However, God used all I went through to draw me to Himself. He taught me that I could trust Him for my provision, to meet my needs, to be the protector of my children, and to sustain me as a single parent. After 15 years of living without a partner He gave me the opportunity to experience marital love again. Now I have a husband who prays for me and gives thanks for me on a daily basis. I know how it makes me feel when he gives thanks to have me as his wife. I can only imagine how our heavenly Father feels when we acknowledge Him as the giver of all good things.

When life is going well it is easy to give thanks. However, there are times when concerns of this world can weigh heavy on our hearts. In the times filled with heartache and loss, how is it possible to live in a perpetual state of gratitude?

In Philippians 4:6-7, the Bible says,  "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God that transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus."

At times, living in this broken world can be anxiety producing. However, this scripture tells us it is possible to live above the circumstances of this world. An important key to living this way is to live in thanksgiving. Being thankful helps us to focus on God’s goodness, and how He has shown His faithfulness in the past, not only to us but throughout history. The act of giving thanks helps us to refocus off our problems and back onto the faith and trust that we have that God will continue to take care of us. He will provide, protect, and give us shelter from life’s storms. We can trust because of God’s promises (Romans 8:28) and His proven track record that He will bring something good out of every situation.  It does not mean that everything we will go through is good, but that He can bring about a result that brings good into our lives.

I am learning as it says in the Philippians 4 challenge above to bring my thoughts and attitudes captive. There have been days that I felt down and I have purposed to redirect my thoughts and feelings. I have practiced singing out loud in thanksgiving to the Lord. Before I understand what has taken place, I find my attitude is lifted up and my focus is again positive .

As we enter again into the annual Thanksgiving season of celebration, let’s determine that gratitude  will be a choice that we will purpose to live out everyday. Let each day bring a celebration of praise and remembrance of God’s goodness toward us and all that we have to be thankful for.  

　


　

Reaching Out with God's Hands

Several years ago I read the book by Max Lucado, “Just like Jesus”. In the chapter “A Compassionate Heart”, the author suggests that you look at your hands and consider if someone was to do a documentary on your hands what it would entail? From an infant using their hands to grab hold of their parent's finger or to grab onto a table in order to stand, to a growing sibling using his hands to push down his brother, to hands being used to show affection…hands can be used to bring both comfort and harm.

 I've known this distinction, having grown up in a household where hands often related more to something to be feared rather than something to bring comfort. A loved one with a troubled soul, who used alcohol to try to numb the demons of his past, would use his hands to strike out. At times as children, we would wake to the noise of conflict and a hole being punched into a wall. Or at other times, these same hands would hold the belt that randomly brought pain to my siblings and I  for infractions of various degrees.  Less often were there times of being held by loving hands.

 

While I was raising my own children I began to realize the strength given to hands when used to bring comfort and to show affection. Although there were times my hands were used to necessarily discipline, most often they embraced my children, or they were used to wipe their tears, to give them a high five or to massage and draw pictures on their backs in our nightly bedtime routine. Yes hands can be used to bring both harm and healing, or for good or evil.

 
In my counseling practice I have heard stories of horrific abuse taking place by the hands of some. Those who have suffered often come to fear a healthy touch, because their past experience has been that they can't trust what they once longed for.  There is beauty in the assurance that the injury inflicted is neither beyond God's hand to bring healing nor his ability to bring justice.

Studies have been done that show how important touch is.  Babies who are not touched or held, fail to thrive. The same can happen with adults who become isolated from others when they do not receive the warmth of a touch. For the widow and orphan, a loving touch experienced in their isolation may bring the hope and compassion that has been lacking. The same is often true for people who go through divorce.  Touch which was once common becomes a rarity. While living as a divorced adult for 15 years, I experienced brotherly hugs on occasion. However, I did not realize how long I had gone without the touch of another person's hand in mine.  I remember the first time my (now) husband enclosed my hand in his, it felt magical and safe. There was a part of me that knew this was the hand I wanted to have hold mine forever. 

Our hands can be used to encourage and show love to our  parents, our spouse, and our children. They can be used to welcome a stranger.  Our hands can also be used as an outward sign of our love for our Savior.  As we worship our Lord, our hands may be lifted high in praise as well as in a sign of surrender.  

Jesus used his hands to glorify His Father. He also used his hands to lift the bed ridden, to heal the Lepers, to bring sight to the blind, to touch the outcast of society, and to wash the feet in service to His Disciples. His hands were an extension of love from the Father and He was willing to touch the unlovely before they were made cleaned.   For many years Jesus had been reaching out to me as I lived my life in rebellion, and I would "slap" His hand away.  One day I found myself at what seemed like the bottom of a very dark miry pit.  Jesus reached out his hand to me in the midst of my depravity, and instead of fighting back like I had previously done, I grabbed hold.  I have been holding on, as he has held me ever since.

Jesus continues to touch the lives of His followers, as well as those far away from him whom He desires to draw near to Himself.  If you cry out to Him he is faithful to come and hold you in the midst  of whatever trial you go through. His presence can be as real and palpable as another human being touching you in person. Yet, Jesus' touch brings a comfort which surpasses anything you will have ever experienced and will be beyond your understanding. Jesus still touches those who feel unloved. He is an ever present help in times of trouble. Jesus is the same today as He was over two thousand years ago. He pursues us and waits for our response. When we call out to Him, he will touch us in our brokenness and bring us new life.

As you consider your hands today and how you use them, ask yourself “are my hands an instrument of peace?” Am I more likely to use them for prayer or do I shake my clenched fist at God? Do I use my hands more for grabbing or giving? Am I ready to surrender my hands to God?  If so, your hands will become instruments of grace and extensions of His (the Master's) hands. He will use whatever we surrender to Him to bring a touch to those in our world who are in desperate need of knowing His healing, perfect and abundant love.