The turkey has been carved, the mashed potatoes gobbled down, and the pumpkin pie devoured.
Christmas trees are being decorated, lights are being strung, stockings are being stuffed.
Black Friday sales have been processed and Cyber Monday is in full swing as I type.
The holidays are here, and I fear that in all the hustle and bustle of trying to get the best deal and save the most money, we might actually miss out on the ultimate GIFT being offered to us.
We forget that our HEART is Jesus' home.
And this season, more than any other, shouldn't we be preparing room for HIM?
After all, JESUS is the reason we celebrate Christmas.
Somehow, though, in all the hullabuloo, little baby Jesus gets overlooked.
Santa, reindeer, on-line deals, fancy feasts, ugly Christmas sweater contests, white elephant gift exchanges, and who knows what all else overshadow what really matters.
The quiet manger is suddenly so crowded.
What if this year was different?
What if we took time, MADE time, to reflect?
What if we approached Christmas in a new way?
I have certainly not mastered this yet, but would love to invite you to figure it out with me.
Maybe together, we can understand what Christmas is really all about and truly experience the most wonderful time of the year!
Since I am still learning, I thought we could use the ADVENT calendar to help us focus our minds and transform our hearts. Each week leading up to Christmas, a specific word gives us direction on the journey to find Jesus.
The first week is all about HOPE.
So, I guess the first question we must ask ourselves is: What IS hope?
If you look in a dictionary, you discover hope is
to desire with expectation of obtainment;
to expect with confidence;
to trust.
Having studied the Bible a good part of my life, I am immediately drawn to the Psalms.
In chapter 33, David reminds us, "We put our hope in the Lord. He is our help and our shield."
Later, in chapter 62, he writes, "Let all that I am quietly wait before God, for my hope is in Him."
If only this would assure us that life from then on would be easy, without any trouble.
Instead, earlier, in chapters 42 and 43, we see that in the midst of discouragement, we ought to turn to God, who alone is our hope.
You see, even when life is chaotic and seems to be turned upside, God doesn't change. And since our hope is in HIM and NOT people or the things of the world, we can remain calm and confident. As the author of Hebrews comforts us, "So God has given us His promise and His oath. These two things are unchangeable because it is impossible for God to lie. Therefore, we who have fled to Him for refuge can have great confidence as we hold to the hope that lies before us. This hope is a strong and trustworthy anchor for our souls. It leads us through the curtain into God's inner sanctuary."
If we go back to the end of that verse, we see something beautiful! Hope leads us into God's very presence. And once in His presence, we can be filled with
His power,
His peace,
His joy,
His love,
His strength,
His wisdom,
His glory.
His power,
His peace,
His joy,
His love,
His strength,
His wisdom,
His glory.
THAT sure beats any present under the tree!
I don't care how much money you saved on Black Friday, being in God's presence tops it all!
Best part - you don't have to wait in line or beat any crowds.
His throne room is open at all times and the invitation to come in is always extended!
No midnight deadlines or limited quantities available.
Come one, come all!
The more the merrier!
I have so much more I want to say about HOPE, but I think this is a good start.
As we start the week (at least I am writing this on a Monday), may we take time and MAKE time to be still before God, to quiet our hearts, to prepare room for JESUS.
Invite Him to come in, to speak to you, to show you His plans and promises.
Listen.
Look in His Word.
And as you do, you can't help but to begin to put your HOPE in Him more and more, and the world less and less.
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