Throughout the Christmas season, there is an wonderful sensation of joy in the air. Can you feel it? Not just in the tinsel and the lights, the presents and the trees, but something else. Something wonderful, amazing. Something that brings freedom and hope, joy and peace, comfort and rest to the world. Something that shines brilliantly with glory into the cold darkness of our sin enveloped world. It's Jesus. He brought the awe that despite how much sin had messed things up, God set things right again. He sent a hero who would set things right again. For centuries, people speculated who this promised Messiah could be. When would the Chosen One come to save them? But they could never expect the way He came. One night, beneath the stars, surrounded by animals, a baby was born. A king had entered His own creation to save the world. God had entered His own story in the most upside down, but beautiful way. Because of love. For the next three weeks, as Christmas approaches,
will you join me in exploring the wonder of the humble way Christ entered the world? Stay tuned for more in the "Upside Down Christmas" blogging series! In 2014, JJ Heller wrote a song entitled, "The Perfect Gift". In a time when physical gifts are becoming known, and the true gift is forgotten, she encourages us to not forget. She reminds us to stop bustling about, only thinking about the "me, me, me" part of Christmas, but remember Jesus, and how He came to Earth as a baby knowing he would die painfully on a cross. Think carefully about that. Don't let familiarity ruin your awe, but instead worship him rejoicing, He was the Perfect Gift! He came to bring us peace, Holy Child, Our King. The Earth circles around the Sun, day and night, night and day. We rely on the Sun for life to flourish in abundance. The Sun has allowed light to gleam throughout the Earth, and brought food and vegetation in abundance. The beauty and wonder of this amazing part of Creation has since become a provoker of thoughts and ideas. C.S. Lewis, author to multiple books, including The Chronicles of Narnia, explains this perfectly. He writes, I believe in Christianity as I believe that the Sun has risen; not only because I see it, but because by it I see everything else. SEEING EVERYTHING ELSEWithout the Sun, we would be shrouded in darkness, engulfed in the gloom. The Sun enables us to see everything. But this is simply an earthly example. What C.S. Lewis is really getting to is that we could see the Gospel, know that God has intricately and miraculously created us, yet not acknowledge and leave it sitting there, like treasure left buried. Instead, through the Gospel, we see everything else. Our views are changed, the point of our lives is changed forever. We are given newfound hope of the purpose for our lives. We are given strength through Him to face difficulty. MY PRAYER FOR YOUMy prayer for you today is that, no matter where you are in life, whatever circumstances you might find yourself in, you might not just know that God loves you and cares for you so much so He died for you, but live it out. Let the Gospel change everything - how you live, your worldview, what books you read, what you do after-school, what music you listen to, how you spend your money... everything...
...because This Changes Everything. In Flanders Fields In Flanders fields the poppies blow Between the crosses, row on row, That mark our place; and in the sky The larks, still bravely singing, fly Scarce heard amid the guns below. We are the Dead. Short days ago We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow, Loved, and were loved, and now we lie In Flanders Fields. Take up our quarrel with the foe: To you from failing hands we throw The torch; be yours to hold it high. If ye break faith with us who die We shall not sleep, though poppies grow In Flanders Fields. Amidst the trenches and bloodshed, John McCrae penned this poem dipicting the horrors of war that had plunged the world into conflict. As Remembrance Day apporoaches, I thank God for the valiant men and women who boarded ships with unknown futures to protect our freedom. Remember the poppy, scattered between the gravestones of the fallen. Commemorate those who fought gallantly. Lest we forget.
The room exploded in loud cries of rejoice. The world seemed to disappear as they worshiped their king. Lights silhouette hands lifted in praise. We were undefeated by the enemy, triumphant because we more than conquerors through Christ. Worship makes me feel so close to God. I feel as though I can touch His face, and feel His presence ever so strongly. All His love for me and the world is wrapped up through worship as I express my love for the King of the Universe, He who has authored my life and planned every little detail of it. Put your heart into your worship. Sing with great rejoice in awe of His unshakable love for you. Rejoice! Rejoice! Let every tongue rejoice! One heart, one voice, oh Church of Christ rejoice! |
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MEET HANNAHWelcome to this wee corner of the internet! I'm Hannah; snail mail aficionado, paper enthusiast and child of God. Join me on this adventure! ARCHIVES
April 2018
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