A True Christmas

Spirit of Christmas

A Christmas Greeting: I would just like to say that I appreciate each of you who visited My Thought-filled Journey during this past year. I want to extend my heartfelt desire for God's blessing upon you and your family as we celebrate the birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. I also would like to say that my hope is that you find even greater satisfaction in Christ during the coming new year. This has been a year of change for me, but it has also meant that I've come to appreciate even more the grace which has been given to me. I'd like to think I've grown spiritually, emotionally, and intellectually; time will reveal that. Please know I will pray with you regarding any circumstance you may be facing. Feel free to write me to say "Hello", request prayer, or share what God is doing in your life. I have not said it enough, but thank you for the light of Chist in your life which illuminates the way for us all.

Christmas lights and decorations are everywhere. As I walk by, smiles instinctively appear of the faces of strangers. There is something about this time of year that allows everyone to feel a spirit of joy in their lives. In spite of this feeling of joy and elation, there are people in America today without home or shelter. There are people who are all alone and feeling a sense of desperation. We don’t think about it unless it affects us personally, but people even die during this time of year. I remember the night my brother was murdered. Christmas would never be the same for my family. Christmas bargains, sales, gifts, Santa Claus, ornaments none of those things seem to matter anymore. Time has given me the cushion needed to heal from my grief, but still, I don’t look at Christmas with the childlike eyes of my youth. Years ago when I was married, my wife asked me what the tree had to do with the birth of Christ. I thought about her question and gave several technically correct answers but none of them answered her basic question. I realized then that a Christmas tree, colored lights and ornaments had absolutely nothing to do with the Messiah. “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.” Why? “There is no difference between Jew and Gentile, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. God presented Christ as a sacrifice of atonement, through the shedding of his blood—to be received by faith.” Christ was born to institute redemption for all humanity. We can sing songs of His birth, watch movies of the little baby born in a manger, but we must not forget that He came for the express purpose of dying for our sins. “You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly.” This is the true Christmas we must celebrate. I once heard a preacher jokingly talk about his childhood and how even then he was preaching. Each morning, he would stand by the school bus and say to the children boarding: “You need Jesus!” I smiled when I heard him share this but he is right; we all need Jesus! Yes, unto us a child is born, a son is given… Let’s not forget that Christmas shouldn’t be celebrated once a year, but every day! Let our hearts rejoice with the joy and gladness of redemption. Christ came for us! Whether we have a tree in our home, lights all aglow, presents beautifully wrapped, allow the spirit of Christ to touch our hearts in such a way that we see the beauty of grace and God’s love. Let’s share that love for one another and be a little more forgiving; giving to all the grace we have received through Christ. Written by MTJ

Note: This post is linked to Spiritual Sundays (hosted by Charlotte).

What Do Your Eyes See?

Note:I have been on an extended break, waiting until I once again had something worthwhile to say. I visited Paris in the Spring, and thoroughly enjoyed it (to my surprise). During the summer, I worked tirelessly and accepted a new position with excitement and anticipation. This fall, I lost my home to forecloseure and although I didn't want it to happen, I have peace regarding this outcome. The memories will remain forever etched in my mind (unless I succumb to Alzheimer's, ha ha). Over the years, I've lost loved ones, I've lost friends, losing a thing is not as bad. As the season ebbs from fall to winter, I feel a sense of anticipation and excitement. I think it's easy to fall victim to feeling forsaken and alone, but God faithfully reminds me that He extends grace in such an unbelievable measure to His children. All I can say is that God is really quite awesome. I hope you are blessed by this poem I've written in praise to God.

A boy looks upward towards a clear blue sky. He sees a few white fluffy clouds but,     something convinces him that God is there. His words are the words of a child, but...     they are bolstered by conviction. He doesn’t know how, but he believes he can. There is no hesitation in his voice. “I will never leave my children” What causes a boy to make such a bold promise? How can he see so far ahead on the journey of his life? Would he forget those words over the years? At the time he didn’t know the promise of God…     “I will never leave you nor forsake you." He didn’t know God…He couldn’t even see God’s promise,     yet, he knew God would hear him. It was something innate that gave him that assurance.     But God saw him…     God heard him…     God smiled on him.     God extended grace to him. Any male can father a child,     but God honors a man...     when his children call him, “Daddy”. It’s the only name they know him by. They’ve grown up before his eyes...     with families of their own…     yet they still call him, “Daddy”. Over the years, he has seen many things,     but what he sees now,     even with the poorest of vision…     is God’s grace. He sees how God’s lavishes His love upon all life. His eyes have seen joy and pain… Good times and sad times…     victory and defeat…     inspiration and discouragement…     he has seen many things over the years…     yet what he sees woven through all of it is grace. He sees God’s grace. What do you see when you look at your life? You’re not that innocent little child anymore…     What caused you to look to the heavens that first time?     Though He is invisible,     do you recognize His presence?     What do your eyes see today?     Do you see grace? Poem by MTJ

Note: This post is linked to Spiritual Sundays (hosted by Charlotte).