z);->
Well, Christmas Day has already come, the stockings have been hung
and harvested and sweeter contents few winter socks have ever had. Many candies,
nuts, and cookies have discovered their destinies under the rosy noses of all manner
of children and in many of their pets. Reunions have been rejoined, carols have
been sung, and discarded wrapping paper is making its way to the recyclers.
Now, the days are getting longer, though Winter seems to believe it’s just begun
to settle in. Here and there, the scent of an evergreen hangs in the air. We are
reminded of what God Himself subtly slipped into Creation, just to save us from,
well, a Winter that does not end.
Can you believe it?
Really, when we can get a glimpse of seeing it the Father’s way, all good things in
His fallen world are there to give us a hint of what He has in store for those who
receive. (In store as He knows it – not necessarily what we would make of it.)
These good gifts provide the rough glass for us to peer into, to see who He is.
And the ability to gain what we see there is given by such a mercifully distinct Sign,
such a graciously discernable Way – provided by personal habitation of the very
same kind of flesh and blood that we all have. With all the world’s purported “ways
of happiness… enlightenment… and love…” and all its “ways to divinity…” glaring
within our view, what a relief to pick up on Yours, God and let our eyes rest there.
(If our lives are authored by You, even created in Your image, and You are our
Person of Integrity, then of course You offer authentic, personal, and blissfully
specific relationship for each and all who believe in You. We’d hate to have a
Father suffering from multiple personality disorder – as if you would be subject to
such insanity.)
Yes Virginia, there is truth and what an overwhelming wonder that truth brings
spiritual communion with God to His sons, who abide in His “Anointed One!”
Thank you for your fine reminder, Santa, but our ultimate Father of Christmas is
there for us even now and in a place much warmer than the North Pole.
Thank You Father, that You’ve offered for each of us to be among the first fruits
of your wonderful, eternal solution – instead of part the problem fit only for
everlasting extinguishment availed to protect your willing ones from recurrences
of the very corruption from which you would recover us all.
Thank You for giving us our always free will in the first place, such a dreadfully
costly gift that has become.
And thank You Father, for giving us family, to show Your tender ways of love to
us, as You call us into Yours.
z);->
Merry Christmas to you and yours at this time. Let the celebration go on…
and let no one come between the Father and us but His Christ, our Emmanuel,
“God with us,”
Arlen