Celebrate the Sunrise!

"...the sunrise shalll visit us from on high,
to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death,
to guide our feet into the way of peace." -Zechariah (Luke 1:78-79)

It's Christmas morning. Do you see that blush of light creeping through the eastern sky? It's the most spectacular Sunrise ever! Look how it spreads throughout the centuries, swallowing up more and more of the darkness.

"...the people dwelling in darkness have seen a great light,
and for those dwelling in the region and shadow of death,
on them a light has dawned." Mt. 4:16

"In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it." Jn. 1:4-5

"Jesus spoke to them, saying, 'I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.'" Jn. 8:12

Today, if Jesus Christ, the Light of Life, has put a flame of hope in your heart and a sparkle in your eyes, you have reason to celebrate!! Let's go and tell the world.

"Arise, shine, for your light has come,
and the glory of the LORD has risen upon you." Is. 60:1

The Imitation of Christ(mas)

Christmas is almost here again. And I think I hear the helpless wail of a baby. A baby in a cold, damp cave with the lifeblood of the universe pumping through His little heart. The baby who was not always a baby, and who never had to be one. (Much less enter the world in a dark, smelly cave.)

The God who allowed Himself to be confined in a human body because He so loved the world.

We know the story well, so well that it has ceased to amaze us. He lived here for thirty-three years, and then He died. Actually, He was murdered. And in His life and His death, He taught us how to live and die. But death was not the end of the story, and it will not be the end. He burst the bars of death, and hope surged through the universe. He ascended to the Father, and yet, through His extended body, He remained in the world. This Christmas, the weary world can still feel a thrill of hope because He still remains.

Christ, born in a stable two thousand years ago, still walks the dusty trails of earth. His Body is still present, ministering to those who are not afraid to call themselves needy. His hands still feed the hungry. And His feet still walk with authority into the darkest places on this earth. After all, what would you expect His hands to do? Where do you think His feet would go?

There are many of us who like to talk about being His hands and feet. But actually, we don't like the dark and the cold. We'd rather not feel the sweat or the blood that stood in beads on His forehead. Or cry the heart-wrenching tears of compassion. We'd rather not get close enough to the grime to pull someone out of it. We like our clean clothes and un-scarred hands.

And we don't want to give even the cup of cold water because...well...it's more comfortable in my recliner.

I am guilty. Lord, forgive us. Forgive us, change us, and equip us to be Your hands and feet to this world...those far away and those in our homes and on our doorsteps. This world You loved so much that You gave up the splendors of heaven itself.

A Grateful Life

When I think of all that I am grateful for (and it's a lot!!), my mind always reverts to those who do not have what I have.

I am thankful for beautiful autumn decorations (which, sadly, I have to soon replace with others), but millions do not even have a house to live in, far less adorn with appealing decor.

I am thankful for the ability to sew attractive dresses for my sisters and I, while multitudes clothe themselves in rags.

I am thankful for a day to play games with my family...this Thanksgiving season, widows and orphans have felt the reality of being alone in the world.

And mostly, I am grateful for the mercy and forgiveness of my beautiful Savior. Millions have not had the opportunity to experience the Word of Life.

I have to admit when I think of those who do not enjoy the blessings of food to eat each day or a place to shelter them from the cold winds, no faces come to mind. I have not been among these people...perhaps to my shame. But I do know people who do not experience the joy and peace of Jesus. Several faces come to my mind, faces without hope who do not have the light of true love in their eyes. Is this because we do not go to them and embody Christ before their eyes? Is it because we avoid contact with them, thinking we are better than they?

I am a member of the body of Christ. Christ came to seek and save that which was lost. He had compassion on the multitudes. He had compassion on me. So now I have a responsibility.

"For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that you by his poverty might become rich." 2 Cor. 8:9