Today is different. I want to talk about what's going on in the world. This time of year people should be talking up the reason for the season, Jesus Christ, but some do not. Instead, people get caught up in the hustle and bustle of worldly whatnots. I am not perfect; I, too, have stumbled and fallen into this trap. This may sound redundant as all spiritualists, religious houses, and church members talk about this neglect during 'the busiest shopping season of the year.' I do not want this blog to be about the negative side of the season, rather, I want it to be about the positive influence of the world around us all. So, let us all for get about the poor influences, and open our hearts to L.I.F.E. today. I want to express to every reader today what God wants us all to remember about this Christmas season. L.I.F.E. is the acronym that will help you remember the reason for the season.
L - Live
Be thankful to have the ability to be breathing. Remember that Christmas is the celebration of the holy birth of the Prince of Peace, the Holy Redeemer, Jesus (God Saves). As the story is written, Mary and Joseph were engaged to be married, and then Joseph found out that Mary was pregnant. "Joseph, chagrined but noble, determined to take care of things quietly so Mary would not be disgraced," (The Message, p. 1554). It goes on to say he began to devise his plan. It does not speak directly to it, but I assume that he surely thought of all options, even if briefly: giving the child away, leaving Mary, abandoning the child in a dump, killing the child at birth, aborting the child, raising the child, and even tucking Mary away until the baby was born. He had a dream and was visited by the Lord's angel who told him that he should marry Mary (no pun intended), and she was conceived though the Holy power of His Spirit. So, as I am sure Jesus was glad to be alive and breathing that day and for His entire life, let us all remember to thank God for the ability to live another day.
I - Imagine
Take a moment and think of a world without Christmas. How does it play in your mind? No Money? No new surround sound system gift wrapped under the non-existent tree? What about the other holiday, Easter? If we fast forward a little over thirty years from the birth of Jesus, we celebrate another day connected to His physical birth, His birth into Heaven. Without the current season's reason we would have no purpose for Easter either. Take a minute to thank God that we have the option to imagine what that will be like one day. Thank God that because we were given the gift of the life of His Son, we now have the ability to dream about all the joy that will fulfill our body at that time.
F - Family
People can have a difficult time taking off work to spend special moments with family. For example, in the employment fields of business and coal mining workers are demanded to put in long, hard hours. We should remember who is most important in our life. Sometimes we forget. We think that we have tomorrow, but we are not promised. "Since the mid second century, Christian tradition has held that Jesus was born in a cave, and, since at least the early third century, a cave at Bethlehem has been venerated as his birthplace...Caves were often used as animal shelters: one cave stable, with its manger has been dated to c. 1200. BCE" (Porter, p. 157). Even under such extreme circumstances the family was together in the manger to birth Jesus. We must take time to create memories, life moments, with our loved ones this year.
E - Example
We should, we must be an example to those around us. The whole testimony of His life is about how He portrayed perfection when other were and were not looking. So, when we have the opportunity to be the light, we need to shine. "After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi, from the East came to Jerusalem and asked, "Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star in the east and have come to worship him"" (New International Version, p. 1554). As the symbolism of the North Star guided those to Jesus, so should our actions. We should be the light that guides people though this time of year that can be dark as night for some.
Take a break from this bustling season and share the L.I.F.E. that Jesus would want to see. Live, Imagine all the goodness, spend time with Family, and be the Example.
Today I want to leave you with one thing:
John 13:15 as found in Prayer: The Mightiest Force in the World by Frank C. Laubach,
"I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done."
If you could, please do two things for me:
1) In the comment box below share an emotion or inspiration that you felt as you were reading or when you finished the reading. It does not have to be long. Only share a few sentences; three to five will be plenty.
2) During this Christmas season, take note of the L.I.F.E. in and around your own life. Before the course ends, please come back and share a heart warming story of how you shared one of the four or saw someone put into action one of the four components discussed today.
