TAKE TIME TO PONDER

"For to us a child is born, to us a son is given,

and the government will be on his shoulders.

And he will be called Wonderful Counselor,

Mighty God, Everlasting Father,

         Prince of Peace"

Before we race into another month of busyness ponder a moment about the passing year. A year when trials have touched all people.  Grief and loss has torn the covering of every relationship and struggle often been relentless.  Even so life is too beautiful to allow the struggle to bring defeat.  Without dirt on the forest floor the beauty of trees would never be seen. This is the miracle of new birth.

Christmas is a message of simplicity.  Quietly, a tiny child, small and ordinary, is born and the whole earth stands in awe, wise men still seek Him and invite Him into the manger of their hearts

Christmas is a message of identity  He came to identify with us so that we might identify with Him.  Made in the image and likeness of God, breathed upon by His Holy Spirit lives become reflectors of the Christ-child within.

Christmas is a message of intimacy   The virgin birth is more than Holy story; it reveals how closely God desires to come to man, an intimacy deeper than any afore known to man.

Christmas is a message about people, relationships, friends and decisions we make, choices and the debris of wrong choices but what of the 'right' choices---much of the fruit of good choices is not immediately seen but as time goes by there is a wake in man’s life that speaks volumes. The rip tides of life may knock us off our feet but the ebb and flow work together to reveal underlying truth and the strength of what lies beneath the water-line of our lives reflects who we are.

Christmas is a message of foundation, a starting point, a birth to every relationship formed, giving power for relationships to reach fruition—if we master the rip tides and stand on the foundation of faith in Christ then come what may our lives will have counted for something and relationships hold steady. 

We all ‘mess up’, we make mistakes and wish yesterday could be erased but as you ponder and play the ‘what if’ game ponder this—‘what if’ Christ had not come—‘what if’ Grace had not be given—how sad would that be… but God wrapped in the simplicity of a babe did come—come to Him this Christmas and rejoice in His appearing.

The message of Christmas is found in quiet moments and our ability to maintain the quietness of soul in the midst of busyness. Behind the activity there is a closing and opening of the days of our lives but how easily we miss the important through the tyranny of the urgent.

Regardless of circumstance 2012 will begin…nothing can stop the turning of  AT morning to night or hold back the New Year.  Why the emphasis on pondering?  To halt the activity long enough for the soul to adjust and get in tune with God’s agenda as He prepares His people for the days ahead…a really nice way of saying,” Repent for the kingdom of heaven is at hand"
                                   HAVE A BLESSED AND GLORIOUS CHRISTMAS EVERYONE

 MAY THE PEACE, LOVE AND JOY OF THE SEASON FLOOD YOUR HEART AND HOME.