John 3:16 [Full Chapter]
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
I was shopping at Menards the other day when I decided to take a detour through the Christmas area that draws thousands in search of house decorating supplies from indoor/outdoor lighting, lighted trees, large lighted angels, the manger scene consisting of Mary, Joseph, baby Jesus, the Wise men, the shepherds, and last but not least the miniature buildings, miniature people and amusement rides with sound and light that bring smiles to everyone who encounters it.
Every year there are some who buy new miniature buildings to add to their expanding village they set it up in the corner of their basement before the holidays. As soon as he sees the first smile, he is hooked to do this again year, after year, after year.
Every year there are some who buy new miniature buildings to add to their expanding village they set it up in the corner of their basement before the holidays. As soon as he sees the first smile, he is hooked to do this again year, after year, after year.
As I was strolling through this smorgasbord of light and sound, I saw a young child with this incredible sense of awe looking every which way trying to take in what she liked most while her parents stood nearby with this look of delight watching their happy child experiencing something the rest of us take for granted. I commented to mom and dad, "She really looks like she is enjoying herself." Dad responded with a smile," She loves coming here to see the Christmas area every year and this was her consolation prize."
As I reflected on this, I had this sense that we live in a world of hope and hopelessness. There are many people this holiday season who emotionally cannot handle the thought of celebrating Christmas because they may be missing someone- a parent, grandparent, sibling, a child or a pet. Sadness and emotional pain become their friend, instead of the sense of awe as seen through the eye of this child at Menards.
As I chewed on this thought a bit, I realized that Christmas isn't about the lights I see at Menards, but Christmas is a time of celebrating God's greatest gift to the hopelessness of this world- the birth of the Savior of the world. A birth that would give hope to those who were on the treadmill going nowhere trying to please God with perfect animal offerings and rituals that offered no promise it would be enough.
I'm in awe that God loved us so much that he decided to take matters in his own hands and offer us eternal life through this baby Jesus born in an animal trough in a little-known village of Bethlehem.
I'm in awe that God loved us so much that he decided to take matters in his own hands and offer us eternal life through this baby Jesus born in an animal trough in a little-known village of Bethlehem.
If we can only focus on the real meaning of Christmas, not on the pain that so easily consumes our lives, soon we too can have this same sense of awe so often found in a child.
We must remember to never isolate from others when grieving, but place one foot in front of the other and continue to worship God on the sabbath, week after week, month after month, year after year, regardless of how we feel from moment to moment.
By doing so, you will experience God like moments where strangers you meet will have a word of encouragement that was meant for you.
We must remember to never isolate from others when grieving, but place one foot in front of the other and continue to worship God on the sabbath, week after week, month after month, year after year, regardless of how we feel from moment to moment.
By doing so, you will experience God like moments where strangers you meet will have a word of encouragement that was meant for you.
God truly uses the body of Christ to encourage us!
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