The Christmas season is filled with joyful songs both secular and religious. The tradition of filling the air with songs of comfort and joy started with the angels singing to the shepherds. The angels passed along words of comfort, calming the shepherds' fear at their sudden appearance, and joy, proclaiming the news of Christ's birth. One Christmas carol contains the line "to save our souls from Satan's power." Thinking about our sinful nature and need for salvation while celebrating the birth of a baby seems a little depressing. But the fact remains, every one of us is in need of salvation. God's grace provides our salvation — a gift from our loving Father. Instead of being depressed over our need for protection from Satan's power, we receive comfort, knowing that our God overcomes all of our painful circumstances, and joy, knowing Jesus saved us.
The song, "Some Children," is quietly playing as we unpack the nativities we've collected from around the world. We begin comparing … the white bisque origami set reminds of a lily-white Jesus. The clay Bethlehem pieces remind us of a bronzed and brown Jesus. The eyes of those from China, Kazakhstan, Thailand, and Korea remind us of an almond-eyed Jesus. And the ebony set from Kenya reminds us of a "dark as they" Jesus.
As we arrange them, I think about those who saw Jesus as a baby. Awestruck, yes! Speechless, no way! The shepherds told everyone they met! Simeon's and Anna's words praised God for this special child! So, how can you and I be silent as we celebrate the birth of our Lord and Savior?
Most people think about the medicine they take and the food they eat, but how many think about thinking? Philippians 4 gives us a diet for our brains. It tells us to consume the true, honorable, pure things. What did you put into your brain yesterday? Did you watch the news for hours, filling your mind with emotional topics of which you have little control? Did you listen to gossip and scandals, comparing people's lives? At best, these thoughts are junk food for our brains. They can even do damage. Instead, admire God's creation, be inspired by the arts, study and use your intellect. Read God's Word and pray for those in need. Guard your heart and mind. Use the gifts God has given you. God has created and redeemed you as a whole being, body, mind, and soul. Use them well.
On this day, December 14th, 1918, British women were able to vote for the first time in a general election. It was an 85-year struggle to make it happen. The struggle was much the same in the U.S. and in the 44 other countries of the world that now have women's suffrage.
People wonder why good things take so long to happen. Simply put — we are sinful people. We fight for our own rights, but don't always care for the rights of others. Jesus didn't hold on to His own rights. He submitted to death on the cross out of love for us. He willingly gives us all the rights of the children of God. When God's children share their "rights" in love, God is praised and people are blessed.
As a child, I loved the Lone Ranger. I would listen to his "Hi-Ho Silver," first on our clunky radio, later on our new TV. He was a great "Ranger," but mostly "Lone." Of course there was Tonto to help, but the focus was on the LONE Ranger.
We're captivated by singular Superheroes and Jesus, the SUPER Superhero, fits that description as He lives, dies, and rises again. But His "loneness" stops there. On Pentecost, the Spirit descends on a community of believers who carry out Jesus' ministry into the world. It's called "Church," and Paul reminds us in Ephesians that all join together "as each part does its work."
Praise God as we extend Jesus' love and compassion into the world. There are no Lone Rangers in the church!
My sister baked a large cookie for each of her granddaughters' teammates when they reached the state soccer finals. Each State of Texas cookie featured the girl's jersey number in bright blue frosting. What a labor-intensive way to express Christian caring! Although a giant cookie couldn't dry the tears that accompanied a second-place finish (after multiple overtime penalty kicks!), each player felt that someone cared. During the holidays, we have many opportunities to show care for others. But it's often the little things, like a personalized cookie, that become more significant as time passes. "People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel." Maya Angelou's words are memorable. Jesus arrived in Bethlehem wrapped in God's loving care. What a blessing that our Heavenly Father also welcomes us as His children.
"See a need, fill a need" was a motto on the campus of Concordia University Nebraska when our daughter was a student there, becoming a well-loved phrase for our family.
The passage in Ephesians led me to think about how this motto still plays out in my life: Singing to a crying baby; holding open a door for a stranger on a windy day; collecting funds for a church project; or perhaps just overlooking hurt feelings caused by others.
Recognizing and filling a need when we are able reminds us of God's grace toward each of us, with tenderhearted words or actions that go a long way in enjoying our days with a healthy purpose of kindness toward others.
My dream job was teaching four and five-year-olds. Because young children cannot always say what they mean, an important lesson I learned was to look for the message behind the words, listen to hear what is really being said, and learn how to respond with empathy and understanding.
It's been said that most people "listen to respond before listening to understand." We are all guilty of this. Today more than ever, the importance of these words from James 1:19 ring true. To listen with a willingness to understand the perspectives of others, and to respond with empathy and patience rather than react with defensiveness and anger is to model the grace God Himself shows to us. It's not easy, but "nothing worth doing is easy."
In the old television show, "Father Knows Best," Bud or Kitten would mess up or get into some kind of trouble. But then their father would always have the right admonition and advice to straighten things out. In real life, it's not that easy. Parents don't always know or do what is best.
There is one Father who always knows what is best for us. Our heavenly Father has given us His commands and guidelines in the Bible. And He has given us His Spirit, to help us shape our priorities and values in life. Above all, He has given us His Son as our substitute, to perfectly fulfill His laws and commands, which we often misuse or abuse. Most important, Jesus has paid in full for all of our faults and failures, and earned for us the priceless gift of eternal life.
"Let's snuggle," one of my children said on one really warm day. The sweat didn't matter. Snuggling did! I heard a designer of quilts talk about her favorite quilt — the one she made after her husband died. She cut some of his shirts and jackets into squares and assembled them into a large quilt. On cold nights she wraps herself in it, imagining his arms around her. Let's snuggle. The temperature doesn't matter as much as the love that surrounds us. Even better is the knowledge that our Heavenly Father wraps us in His love, peace, hope, and joy in good times and bad, on warm summer days and on frigid winter nights. When we are feeling God's daily mercies, but also when our futures look bleak, God's warmth is ever-present.
I once had a conversation with a shepherd. It was during a visit to Williamsburg, Virginia. He was a college student whose summer job was tending sheep. He was a congenial young man who was eager to talk with those who passed by. I also noted that he was quick to interrupt the conversation if the sheep needed his attention.
I have often reflected on the comparison between that young man and Jesus, our Good Shepherd. Jesus is committed to tending His flock and protecting us from danger. He is also open to having a personal conversation. For me, that happens through prayer and interacting with His Word.
His message is always clear: "I have laid down my life for you."
Kathleen had only met my father once, but she'd been faithfully praying for him during his three-week hospital stay. One day, I shared how he was growing discouraged and lonely because I was unable to visit him every day. "Do you think he'd mind if I visited?" she texted. "I think he'd love that," I responded.
The next day, she showed up at his door with a milkshake and a smile. "We had a great visit," she said. "I hope he was encouraged." Kathleen's kind gesture meant a lot to my dad, but it also encouraged me. She stood in the gap when I couldn't be there, and by ministering to someone I loved, she ministered to me. Kindness has a way of doing that — splashing out and watering the souls of everyone it touches.
I think the meaning of the word "compassion," as used in the Bible, has been watered down a bit. We think of it as a synonym for "pity" or "sympathy," both of which are good Christian qualities. However, the meaning of "compassion" is "to suffer with" not just feel sorry for. The translation of the Greek is "twisting of the intestines," … a powerful, painful experience. This is a heavy load to carry.
Jesus sets the example for being compassionate many times in Scripture. He weeps when He sees how badly Mary and Martha are hurting after their brother dies. He isn't weeping over Lazarus' death; He knows He will bring His friend back to life, but He is suffering with Mary and Martha in their grief. The ultimate example of Jesus' compassion is His willingness to feel the burden of our sins and to suffer the punishment for them.
I've lost count how many times my writing has addressed an issue I face after it prints. For a social media meme, I used a snow scene around a streetlamp with the words, "Like a new-fallen snow, allow God to blanket your life with His love." Intended as a moment of joy for those who face a difficult day, I scheduled it and forgot about it.
However, while performing caregiving chores at 3:00 a.m. the day it published, I remembered that post. As I fought tears and swallowed frustration, I repeated it as a prayer to calm my frazzled nerves, strengthen my tired body, and remind me of God's never-failing presence.
If we use our gifts to serve others, we never know when God may return the benefits of those offerings to us.
I recently saw a large billboard with the words, "Be Wonderful." This was placed at an entrance to the Wonderland of the Americas shopping mall in my town. I asked myself, "Am I full of wonder?" Then I thought," I am constantly amazed by all that God has done for me."
At Christmas, we may especially feel this way. Children and adults alike enjoy the beauty of lights and decorations in their homes and public places. They are in awe of the meaning of manger scenes that they see. Holiday carols touch their souls.
All year long, however, the Scripture that we read or hear at home or in church inspires us. We are reminded of Christ's many wonders, signs, and miracles.
At any time, we can find evidence of God's work and help others see it.
Alaura was not only her husband's wife, but his caregiver, caring for her husband until the very end. It was not unusual to see them enter church: he in a wheelchair, too weak to walk, and her, pushing him down the hallway as they chatted together and spoke to those they passed. As she told my husband the details of how Leslie had gone home to be with the Lord, we both immediately thought of God's goodness to bring Leslie home on Good Friday. Leslie had been released from his suffering and now resides in the joy of heaven where he is whole and healthy.
Wives caring for husbands, husbands caring for wives, adult children caring for aging parents, parents caring for sick children, however we witness caregiving performed, we witness God's compassion, care, comfort, and grace toward humanity.
Remembering a promise, and delivering on it, is comfort in action. "Comfort, comfort my people," God sang in the voice of His prophet Isaiah. God would remember His promise of salvation and deliver on it. In the Incarnation and birth of Jesus, God did just that. "Comfort, comfort my people." Advent and Christmas remind us of God's caring comfort. We rehearse the drama of God, remembering His promise to save us and delivering on that promise. Advent and Christmas make us the twenty-first century caring, comforting, people of God. As much as we love the Christmas story, as many times as we have heard it over the years, God has made us into experts. We share the Good News of God's promise, memory, and fulfillment in Jesus with yet another generation.
It’s hurry-up time all around us. The next four weeks will be like a train picking up speed, as we head toward Christmas. However, our hurrying in this season usually focuses on shallow and superficial things. We easily lose sight of the real purpose of this season — to help us focus on God’s plan of salvation, from the manger to the cross.
The purpose of Advent is to help us keep Christ at the center of our Advent preparations and Christmas celebration. Now is the time of God’s favor, the time to celebrate God favoring us with the gift of a Savior. Now is the time to welcome God’s Spirit to re-shape our plans and priorities for this season and every season. Now is the time to spend time each day with our Lord in worship, prayer, and devotions, as we prepare for a fitting celebration of His birth.
Years ago I was suffering emotionally but had to attend a family party. I kept my emotions controlled during the party, but eventually I retreated to the front porch for respite.
My former brother-in-law joined me on the porch bench. As a man of few words, he didn’t say much. But he knew I was suffering and offered just to sit with me for a while. His presence bolstered me for the rest of the day and soothed my hurts.
That day is now a powerful lesson to me. I’m a talker by nature. But I have learned that sitting with someone in silence is often the best care I can offer. It’s one of the few things Job’s friends did right in comforting him. We can follow that part of their example to care for suffering people.
What a comforting invitation this verse brings, especially as we “age gracefully.” Life brings its share of struggles, both big and small. God’s throne isn’t a distant, intimidating place, but a “throne of grace” — a place of welcome, mercy, and abundant help.
We can approach Him with confidence, not because of our own merit, but because of Jesus’ sacrifice. Let us then, with hearts full of gratitude, bring our joys, our concerns, our weaknesses, and our needs to Him. He is faithful and ready to pour out His grace and mercy upon us, providing exactly what we need in every season.