~Archive - Number Fourteen~
"A Voice Crying in the Wilderness"
Where is Jesus in the Season? Are you familiar with the game, Where’s Waldo? The purpose is to find this little man in a collage of chaotic scenarios. I think that is what has happened with Jesus in the Christmas season too. I wonder, is He still the reason for the season, or has He gotten lost in the collage of chaotic scenarios of our own Christmas?
When I stand in the middle of any department store Christmas aisle and shelves are bursting in “overflow of stuff”, I stand there stunned wondering, "Where is Jesus in any of this? What did we do to God’s Christmas?"
And when did we begin to send cards/letters with “our" pictures on them at Christmas time? Isn’t this the time we celebrate Jesus’ birth? Shouldn’t it be His birthday card or letter? Yet our letters speak about our families accomplishments, vacations taken, or toys bought (that includes our grown up toys too). Just maybe the Lord will get mentioned at the very bottom and in the last sentence of the farewell part of the letters. But shouldn’t our letters instead be filled with what Jesus has accomplished for us and in us?
Companies allow their employees to take December 25th off and it's even paid time. Yet, don’t you dare say “Merry Christmas”. That is politically incorrect. Can you imagine if we tried to say “Enjoy celebrating Jesus’ birthday”?
Even sadder are the many churches that have Christmas outreach programs during this time, yet hold back on sounding “too religious” by not talking about Jesus too much, so as not to offend their guests. Really? Offend? Isn’t Jesus the reason for this season? What did we do with God’s Christmas? What have we done to God’s Son?
Has Christmas just become a good excuse for overeating, drinking, and over- spending? Do any of us really need more “stuff” or calories? Jesus brought Himself to us, and yet we fill up on so many other things. Maybe we can start celebrating Christmas closer to the way first century believers may have? Shall we give our God-given gifts to Jesus? Our time, our attention, and our trusting hearts?
Am I a voice crying in the wilderness? Are you also a voice crying out in a wilderness of chaotic Christmas scenarios? Let’s take back His season and raise our voices together. Like John the Baptist, let us each become less so that Christ shines more in our lives. Let us bow down and worship the Son of God, who we truly should be sharing, celebrating, and talking about!
Happy Birthday Jesus! Merry Christmas to all of you!
~Jesus Longs For You~
In the thrust of countless voices clamoring to be heard-
it is the still small voice of our Lord
that we must be disciplined to heed.
Glitzy lights flash and demand their time in the spotlight-
when all the while the true Light of the World wants only
to captivate hearts and guide our path.
Within the hub of a crowded city teeming at an almost hectic pulse-
God calls out to each of us to intimately encounter
what His heart is beating for.
And finally, those endless activities which so easily steal and ravage our time-
Jesus longs to occupy all those moments with His presence
to replenish, comfort, and to freely give us His gift of rest.
Simple Blessings
KM
12/18/09
May it be our desire that we be women who live in the present and are aware of the world around us. May we take notice of the blessings God gifts to each of us, and always long to hear His whispers. Shall we also pray with a more purposeful focus on God’s will? And as we stay connected in our relationship with Christ, we will become more thankful followers. Let us commit to doing this together! Close your eyes…Open your heart, let God’s Spirit empower you today.