CHRISTMAS IS HEREby Hannah Watt Lights illuminate the dark winter night; Flurries tumble from the sky, Coating green grass with a blanket of snow. An axe cuts through the base of an evergreen tree, One which will be adorned in ornaments and lights, tinsel and ribbon; But atop the tree will rest a star, One which once declared the birth of a wee baby in a manger; Hope restored to the world. A sense of joy fills the air, Alongside delicacies from the scullery; Gifts from loved ones cloak the base of the Christmas tree, As children delight at the sight of brown packages tied up with strings; Throughout town, anticipation fills the air; People laughing in joy, With a little leap in their step, Excited for The Day to finally arrive. In awe, surrounded by candles flickering in the windows, Church bells chiming in the distance, Snow lying on the bare branches, I glance at the nativity scene. Sitting next to garland and wrapping paper, I am reminded of Christ’s humble coming to Earth; To wipe away every tear, Bind every wound, And restore life and hope to a broken world. The Advent calendar finally comes to a final two days, More cheers of, “Merry Christmas” from an Ol’ Saint Nick swamp the streets, Little ones leap in excitement, Because Christmas is finally here. Christmas so changes our society in the few months Christmas nears because of what Christ did for us. It's the amazing realization of just how much God loves you. But this shouldn't just make you want to rejoice in joy for one month, sing all year long! MERRY CHRISTMAS!It's almost Christmas. Most of us are thinking of a little baby in a manger, a virgin's child, an angel's announcement of the birth of the Messiah and shepherds coming to see a new born King. But, what's this about a manger? Wasn't Christ the Creator of the Universe, what Isaiah wrote, the "Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Prince of Peace"? What's He doing in a feeding trough? THE HUMBLE COMING OF CHRISTYou see, as John Piper writes, The Calvary road is downhill. Not because it gets easier, but because it gets lower. The Savior’s life starts low and ends lower. Christ didn't come to be served, but to serve others. He came down to Earth in lowliest of places, in a feeding trough for animals. This was planned. He planned that He would come into the world as a little baby, not a ferocious knight, lying in a feeding trough. He took the form of a servant, and humbly came to the Earth to save us. HOW WE SHOULD RESPONDIn Christ's humble coming, will you join me this Christmas, and for the rest of eternity in rejoicing in gladness? Christ's love was so great for us sinful people that He came to Earth as a wee baby in a feeding trough, lower than a servant, because of His great love and grace for us. Jesus, I love you so, so much. I can't imagine the kind of grace you've shown us in your quiet and humble coming to this broken World. This Christmas, and for the rest of eternity, help me raise my hand in great joy and wonder of your un-stoppable love (Romans 8:37-39) for us. Thank you, Jesus! Amen. Our Upside Down Christmas blog series has come to an end. Thank you for joining
me in exploring the wonder of the humble way Christ entered the World! In response, let's proclaim this wondrous, life-changing message atop the mountains so all might come to know Him. For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. For ages, the birth of the One who would bring light to the world was prophesized. Who is this Messiah? When will He come? Many people thought this Prince of Peace would be born in a grand castle, adorned in jewels and glory. But it was just the opposite. A teenage girl, Mary, conceived through the Holy Spirit. She was pregnant with the Messiah. She was just a simple girl, betrothed to a man named Joseph. This girl, who was not much older than 13 or 14, would give birth to the King of the World surrounded by animals in a stable. She would take a journey 160km (100 miles) on foot/donkey from her hometown to the bustling city of Bethlehem. It was there she would deliver the child would soon deliver her. Though this seemed rather backward, and upside down, God had special plans for this simple towns girl. THE MIRACLE OF CHRISTMASBut this isn't about Mary's baby lying in a manger, it's about the Snake Crusher coming back to the Garden to make things right. This child was Emmanuel, Christ, God With Us. This was God saving His people from sin - death - and forever life without Him. The most redemptive, gracious, love story had taken place. NOT FORGETTING THE REAL GIFTThis Christmas, I encourage you to not forget the real reason of Christmas. Our Western society has so easily and sadly forgotten this miraculous love story. This year, break the status quo. Don't just do advent, put the star on the tree, open presents just as it was any other day. We celebrate Christmas to remind us of what Christ did. Because this isn't just about baby Jesus in a manger, it's about love. It's about God keeping His promises, bringing life to the world, and restoring the hope that we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. 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! 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. |
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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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