“For God so loved the
world that he gave...” John 3:16
As a first year, full-time high school math teacher with two
“brand-new to me” subjects using two “brand new to all” textbooks and as a
blessed but busy mom with three high school daughters all doing two varsity
sports and a full agenda of youth group activities, this year, more than ever,
time is a treasured commodity. My
crammed calendar temped me to recycle devotions of Christmas Past, but the
Spirit gave me pause with the gentle reminder that I need the preparation for
the season more than I need to produce script.
So, for the next few weeks between lesson plans, family life, and
finding stuff on Christmas lists, I will read, reflect, and write. What shows up on your screen might not be the
most polished prose for editing time is of the essence, but the words will be the
honest musings of an often hurried, sometimes hushed, but always helped and
held heart—a heart bursting with gratitude that because of Christ’s coming and
giving and going and coming again each day on earth matters.
Since the day that matters today is the first day of the
last month of the year, only 25 mornings remain to be counted down by excited
children (big and small) until the clock strikes twelve on Christmas Eve and
the big day arrives. I’m already
anticipating the oohs and aahs of my girls as they open their gifts, the eager
anticipation on their faces as my husband and I open ours, fun trips to see friends
and family near and far, and good times and great food around several tables.
During the days between now and then, I look
forward to finding and trimming just the right tree, outlining the house in lights,
checking the mail for cards (sorry, guys, but that’s just not happening on my
end this year), sipping hot chocolate at the local holiday parade (which is
still called the Christmas Parade in my town), baking cookies, wrapping
presents, and decorating the house, but in it all and through it all, I mostly
look forward to doing all of this together with those I love.
Above all else and beyond all else, isn’t that the true
spirit of Christmas? The summation of
the story in John 3:16 says that God loved so much that He gave so we could be
together with Him. The Father’s passion
for connection moved His heart to send the Son so our relationship could be
restored. He wanted us to be together
forever. Somehow in God’s grand purpose and plan, heaven’s divine dining hall
would feel empty unless we were brought home to share good food and great times
around His table, so He sent the Son to make it happen.
These next four weeks, let’s focus on being together—with God
and with family and friends. Let’s
decorate, anticipate, and celebrate, and let’s do it together—reveling in the
good news of great joy of Jesus.
No matter your business or busyness, don’t let the urgent of
your schedule get in the way of the important of the season. Enjoy and exalt Jesus, and have a blast doing
it together.
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