The God of New Beginnings

Paul writes in 2 Corinthians 5:17 that "if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away;behold, the new has come"

Why is it that I cling to the old self and am fearful and hesitant to embrace the new things God brings my way? I can think of many times in my life where God went ahead of me, carefully unfolding His plan to bring forth new life in me. He was waiting, ready to show me all the things He had in store, but I was clinging dearly to the old and familiar. I was fearful of letting go... and the process hurt. God had to take my clenched fist and remove each finger, one by one. He kept whispering, "Come, Child. Be not afraid. I mean for all things to work for your greatest good. I have no plans to harm you, Child. I love you."

In this holy season of advent...as we prepare for the coming birth of our Savior, so often I'm caught up in a lengthy "to do" list....the endless preparations... but what am I really preparing for? Gift openings and endless meals? or am I preparing a way for my Lord? To welcome Him into the fabric of my day to day life with sincere willingness to be changed from the inside out? am I caught up in commercialism or God's wondrous miracles? Am I clinging to the familiar or embracing the new?

I was blessed to visit the home of a sweet couple this weekend. A man who's body is giving way to the cancer. His bones and frail frame will not bear the weight any longer. He lays flat in bed day after day, unable to move himself. His tenderhearted wife ever near to meet his day to day needs. In the world's eyes, this tender couple doesn't have much to speak of... Oh, but they are rich. If you didn't have eyes to see it, you'd most certainly miss it...the true beauty and bounty that surrounds them. They seem to possess everything on my wish list this year... tremendously rich faith, refined by trials and testing, tender hearts filled with grace and mercy, peaceful minds at rest in Christ. It is a gift to know them. I aspire to be more like them. This season, you will not find them rushing here and there, gathering up trees and tinsel. There is no real place for such things these days. The endless shopping lists, cookie varieties, holiday cards no longer seem of any significance....for they understand, all too clearly, now is the time to embrace...to gather 'round the manger together...to draw close, arm in arm and receive our King with hearts wide open.

This weekend I was reminded just how impossible it is to embrace the baby Jesus, when I'm holding stacks of groceries, holiday party items, and packages. In glancing around their home, some might conclude they aren't ready for Christmas... the eyes of the world certainly wouldn't find it anywhere, but their home is brimming with Christmas...

is mine???

Christmas is the tender touch.
Christmas is the thankful heart.
Christmas is the hope of Christ.
Christmas is the offering of self.
Christmas is the prayer offered.
Christmas is the true, lasting peace.

He came unto His own, but they received him not...

Lord, give me eyes to see! Help me to bend a knee at the manger....to ready myself to embrace the King of kings. I want to see You clearly... to see Christmas through Your eyes. That I might let go of all that is old and familiar, and rush to the new, unfamiliar path you have set before me. Father God, I am so richly blessed. Thank you will never seem enough...You have freely given me the greatest gift I have ever received... Christ, my Savior is born!