This week, we celebrate the beginning of the most significant life ever lived on this earth. The beginning of the ultimate rescue. The arrival of the key to peace.
This life would not be easy. The life of a King who chose poverty over riches, who lived as equal to the Father but as humble as a servant. The life of a man who refused to be enslaved by his flesh, in order that he could offer us freedom.
This week we will celebrate the beginning of the most precious life ever lived, the life of a man who taught, who wept, who laughed with his friends and experienced anguish like few of us will ever know. A man who loved like none of us are capable of loving. A young life ended unjustly, tragically, and voluntarily. A life that was lived, and ended, to give us a gift. The gift of salvation.
In light of such a gift, our response must be simple and true; we must be thankful. And the fruit of such a depth of gratitude is to live a life in service to the giver of such a magnificent gift.
It can be easy to get “wrapped up” in giving and receiving gifts to and from loved ones. But don’t forget, in this season of busyness and in these days of chaos and uncertainty, that there has only ever been one gift that really and truly matters. One gift that transcends time and the temporal. One gift we cannot hold in our hands, only in our hearts. It is the gift of the Christ. If you have not yet received this gift, I believe your soul is eager and longing to. Please, reach out to me or another believer you know; the gift we have been given longs to be the best gift you’ll ever receive, as well!
Let us celebrate with awe, reverence, and purest joy this Christmas. Happy birthday, Lord Jesus the Christ!
From our home to yours, merry Christmas.
Christmas
Monday Moment at the Well
A few thoughts for you to unwrap and spend some time with today:
Before you were born, before the birth of Jesus, before God created the Earth, before time as we understand it, He has been there. Look back. All the trials – the ones you’re amazed you survived … well, you did. Look back at all those perfect moments in the arms of a loved one, at the beautiful sunsets … He gave you those moments, those sunsets.
God was, and is, always there. You are never alone. And there has never been a moment in your life when you were not extravagantly loved.
Merry Christmas from The Well.
Finding Majesty Amid the Chaos
If you know me at all, you probably know that I’m not a snow person. I grew up in North Florida and lived in the South for more than half my life. I’ve lived in the Midwest and the North and I’ve never developed an affection for the stuff. The only kind of white Christmas I’ve ever found appealing was one near white sandy beaches.
But today I was driving in the countryside in Upstate New York after an early morning snowfall, on my way to an appointment. I rounded a corner and honest to Pete, what I saw had tears rolling down my cheeks in seconds. I crossed over a creek and it was one of the most perfect scenes I’ve ever witnessed. All the trees had a coat of light, fluffy snow on them. The rocks in the creek had a coat of snow on them, and the shoreline and the ground in the woods were covered in that same fluffy white snow. The contrast of the nearly black creek made it all the more stunning.
I was overwhelmed. I mean, truly humbled, awed and overcome by the beauty of that scene. Only God can create such splendor. And that’s what had me crying. God’s majesty, God’s power, God’s glory, God’s complete rule and love are all around us, every minute of every day. And He created something for everyone, didn’t He? Some of us love summer, some of us dream of fall foliage, some love rain, some love snow, some are mountain people, some prefer flat desert lands, some thrive in tropical climes… and isn’t it just like our great God to gift us with all of it?
I don’t love snow. I’m a tropics-loving Southern gal. But there is no denying that I had a momentary love for snow this morning. I couldn’t safely stop for a photo, but I will try to hold onto that scene in my memory for a long time to come. I’m glad I was paying attention, that I allowed myself to break out of my thoughts and my planning to really absorb what was before me.
It’s a busy time of year, when it’s easy to become overwhelmed with “to do” lists and stressed out over our schedules, finances, relationships, and all the “shoulds” in our heads. But I urge you to take a moment and notice the beauty all around you. Soak it in. It may help you to remember that you are small, your problems are small, today is short (as is your life here on Earth). Savor the scenes in the snow as you drive, the atmosphere of Christmas while you shop – the hustle and bustle, the music, the whole scene – and remember the reason for it all. Jesus.
Now for a cup of hot chocolate…
It’s a Wonderful Life
I am so very grateful for my little life right now. I know it is going to change – Andrew and I both feel it in the air, in our prayers, in our growing spiritual passions. And I look forward to that part of our journey, as well.
But for now, it is perfect just the way it is.
Today I enjoyed a nice hot shower after I walked downstairs on capable legs to go out and brush off my nice car that runs well, so that someone could plow the lot so I don’t have to shovel. I spent a long time in prayer, Scripture reading, and other stuff without being rushed. I have our Christmas lights on in our warm apartment in the middle of the day, which I rarely do (you’re welcome, National Grid). I have a cozy, purring, loving kitty draped over my shoulder. I have a full belly and I’m sipping hot cocoa. I have a husband and friends who love me and a chosen family I’m honored to be a part of. I have hope for the dreams God is giving me, and hope and peace through the assurance of His presence with me in this life and the next.
So, rather than complaining about this stupid snow (oops) or that this is our most frugal Christmas yet (I am NOT trying to garner sympathy – we knowingly chose vacation over December’s Christmas/anniversary/birthday treats and continue to affirm what a perfect choice it was!!), I am genuinely overjoyed and my heart is so full of love that it seems to want to keep leaking out of my eyes. Of the people on this planet, I am among the richest … in every way imaginable, and I just wanted to share that with you today.
A Moment at the Well 