I love the way God deals with our family. Tonight the five year old informed us that we had missed the four year old's Christmas program. We were shocked and dismayed at this news. There had been no note to tell us and no reminder from the school. Just to make sure we understood the enormity of the situation, the five year old told us how his little brother had looked around for Mommy, Nana, and Pepe'. He assured us that he had waved at his little brother and smiled at him. Our hearts were broken at the thought of our little miracle boy singing and looking anxiously for us. We were feeling sad, angry, and guilty all at once.
After an hour or so of lamentation over the lost opportunity to see our baby in his Christmas program-an event that could never be recaptured- Kimberly took the boys home to get ready for the next day. Hopefully, there would be no more missed programs or parties.
When they got home the boys went into their room to play. Soon Austin was back in a panic. "Mom, does the Devil live in the ground under our house?" Nathanael, the missionary, had been talking to his brother about the fact that anyone who did not have Jesus in their heart would have to live with the Devil under the ground. After an affirmative answer, Austin said, "Mom, I have got to ask Jesus in my heart right now." So, Kimberly had the wonderful, joyous privilege of leading her oldest son to the Lord.
Now the sadness of missing a temporal event like the Christmas program had been replaced with the joy of the eternal event of a sinner being reconciled to God. Austin told Nana on the phone, "The angels are singing Glory to God in the highest because I asked Jesus in my heart. And they are telling God and He is so happy."
No wonder Jesus loved the little children so much. This is the truth, that when one sinner accepts Jesus, there is much praising in Heaven.
While I am sad that we missed Tyler's program, I am glad that God sent a reminder that eternal things are more important than temporal things. Glory to God in the highest, my grandson is a child of the King.
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
Sunday, December 13, 2009
Glory to God in the Highest
Christmas, my favorite holiday. But this Christmas has a new meaning for me. Although is has been the usual hustle bustle with parties galore, I have been more conscious of the real meaning behind the holiday.
Now I know what you are going to say, "Yes, Jesus is the reason for the season" and you are right. Jesus was born on that Christmas day to be the Savior for all men.I love the image of God sending His Son as a tiny, helpless baby. God must have seen something very special in Mary to know that she would be just the right Mother for this tiny baby and little boy. After all, Jesus had to be nurtured and loved into His adult life by Mary, His Mom.
This Christmas season, I am hearing concerns that the world is taking Christ out of Christmas. I wonder why we Christians are shocked about that fact? This is not a new phenomenon. For years people have focused on presents and parties instead of the purpose for the season. Especially in America, we tend to be wrapped up in ourselves instead of being wrapped up in message of Christmas.
Which brings me to my point? The message of Christmas. This fall, I have been taking a study called, "On Mission with God." The focus of this study is that everything was created to give glory to God. God wants our lives to be lived in a way to give Him glory.
Our family was asked to light the Advent candle at church. The scripture we read was Luke 2:8-14. Now I am a lifetime Christian. I was raised in church and I have heard the Christmas story for all the 55 years of my life. I have read the Christmas story to my children and my grandchildren, but this year God showed me something beyond the birth of His Son.
Luke 2:14 says, "Glory to God in the highest." No matter what translation you read it says, "Glory to God in the highest." The angels proclaimed the birth of Jesus by giving glory to God. God sent Jesus not only to die for the sins of man. God sent Jesus not only to make reconciliation between sinful man and Himself. God sent Jesus to bring glory to Himself!
The new meaning of Christmas for me is not to keep Christ in Christmas; folks no one can take Him out of the season if He lives in our hearts. The new meaning of Christmas for me is not about the baby who grew to be the Savior of all mankind for I ask myself, "What will I do with that salvation?" The new meaning of Christmas for me is, "Glory to God in the highest."
Glory to God who guides me in my everyday life. Glory to God as He protects me from this world I live in temporarily. Glory to God for my family. Glory to God for my friends.Glory to God for my job. Glory to God for all the people I meet each day. Glory to God for the hard times. Glory to God for the good times.
"Glory to God in the highest and peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased." I pray Father God that my life will never cease to give You glory!
Now I know what you are going to say, "Yes, Jesus is the reason for the season" and you are right. Jesus was born on that Christmas day to be the Savior for all men.I love the image of God sending His Son as a tiny, helpless baby. God must have seen something very special in Mary to know that she would be just the right Mother for this tiny baby and little boy. After all, Jesus had to be nurtured and loved into His adult life by Mary, His Mom.
This Christmas season, I am hearing concerns that the world is taking Christ out of Christmas. I wonder why we Christians are shocked about that fact? This is not a new phenomenon. For years people have focused on presents and parties instead of the purpose for the season. Especially in America, we tend to be wrapped up in ourselves instead of being wrapped up in message of Christmas.
Which brings me to my point? The message of Christmas. This fall, I have been taking a study called, "On Mission with God." The focus of this study is that everything was created to give glory to God. God wants our lives to be lived in a way to give Him glory.
Our family was asked to light the Advent candle at church. The scripture we read was Luke 2:8-14. Now I am a lifetime Christian. I was raised in church and I have heard the Christmas story for all the 55 years of my life. I have read the Christmas story to my children and my grandchildren, but this year God showed me something beyond the birth of His Son.
Luke 2:14 says, "Glory to God in the highest." No matter what translation you read it says, "Glory to God in the highest." The angels proclaimed the birth of Jesus by giving glory to God. God sent Jesus not only to die for the sins of man. God sent Jesus not only to make reconciliation between sinful man and Himself. God sent Jesus to bring glory to Himself!
The new meaning of Christmas for me is not to keep Christ in Christmas; folks no one can take Him out of the season if He lives in our hearts. The new meaning of Christmas for me is not about the baby who grew to be the Savior of all mankind for I ask myself, "What will I do with that salvation?" The new meaning of Christmas for me is, "Glory to God in the highest."
Glory to God who guides me in my everyday life. Glory to God as He protects me from this world I live in temporarily. Glory to God for my family. Glory to God for my friends.Glory to God for my job. Glory to God for all the people I meet each day. Glory to God for the hard times. Glory to God for the good times.
"Glory to God in the highest and peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased." I pray Father God that my life will never cease to give You glory!
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