Last night I sat in Starbucks drinking their Joy Christmas tea out of their red christmas cup in my pea coat and scarf, in complete denial that Christmas is over. The 26th of December sometimes feels like a little bit of a bummer day because the whole past month has been filled with Christmas carols, gift exchanges, peppermint mochas, Santa footie pajamas, spiced cider candles, and light adorned houses. It's been a flurry of excitement, anticipation, and warmth. But the things listed above are all worldly temporary things. When you really think about it Christmas, the entrance of Jesus into this world in human form to dwell with us, die for our sins, and save us has importance year round, it's beautiful significance is not limited to a season characterized by candy canes and Santa Clause. Jesus came into this world to rescue us and to allow his love to confirm our worth. It's difficult for me to remember this truth, necessary in all seasons of life, that we are so loved by God that he went to the extreme of sending his son to earth so that he may die in order to save us from ourselves. In an excerpt from author John Eldredge's blog it says:
"When a great King rescues his beloved, we all know she is precious to him. And we see his greatness. We also see her worth. If that great King were to rescue a potato, we would not think him great at all; we would find it bizarre. So away with this doctrine of 'the worthlessness of the rescued shows the surpassing greatness of the rescuer.' That is not how Jesus saw it. That is not the language of love at all. This nativity had an object in mind. That object is you and me.
I think this will help us to celebrate Christmas for what it is – as a daring rescue. Not in a vacuum. In the context of love. I think it will allow us to be stunned at the way God goes about things. To fall in love again with his amazing heart. And to allow ourselves to experience some deep shift in our soul, as we come to feel our worth. We must really matter.
We look at the manger. We see the angels, the wise men. We see the little boy. And then we boldy sing, 'and the soul felt it’s worth.'"
I think this will help us to celebrate Christmas for what it is – as a daring rescue. Not in a vacuum. In the context of love. I think it will allow us to be stunned at the way God goes about things. To fall in love again with his amazing heart. And to allow ourselves to experience some deep shift in our soul, as we come to feel our worth. We must really matter.
We look at the manger. We see the angels, the wise men. We see the little boy. And then we boldy sing, 'and the soul felt it’s worth.'"
Full version available here.
Let us be reminded of this ultimate gift long after the Christmas season, while still holding on to the sweet memories of Christmas in our own homes. Christmases in our home that may contain joyful celebration as well as reminders of why we are so desperately in need of God's son in the first place.
Here are a few of the sweet memories i'll hold on to...
Abigail and David's serious wrap jobs-
-The Fam, thank you self timer-
-Abigail and her new cookbook-
Jeans...thanks mom!
-The leftovers-
-The best pie known to mankind, Dutch apple pie made by mom-
-Staying true to my roots-
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