Day of endings and beginnings

He was in the beginning with God. (John 1:2)

John’s Gospel begins with a beautiful hymn describing “the Word,” which was with God since the very beginning. Any Jewish people reading this passage would have recognized this idea. In the creation story told in Genesis, God “speaks” things into existence—“Let there be light… . Let the earth bring forth vegetation,” and so on (Genesis 1:3, 11). It’s a sign of God’s creative power that every single word he utters brings forth something new, vibrant, and wondrous. That’s how powerful God’s Word is!

But as familiar as the idea of God’s creative word must have been, John introduces a whole new revelation: God’s Word is not only creative, it’s not only powerful, and it’s not only eternal. The Word of God is a Person. John wrote that he was with God in the beginning, not it was with God in the beginning. Then John went even further to say that this Person came and dwelt among us: Jesus, the Messiah!

You may have heard the biblical phrase “the Alpha and the Omega” (Revelation 21:6; 22:13). It’s a way of talking about how Jesus was at the very beginning of everything and will be at the very end. It’s another way of saying he is the first word and the last word of creation.

We’re at the end of 2015. Can you see how he was there with you throughout the year? We’re also on the cusp of 2016. Can you now expect him to be with you from the very first millisecond after the clock strikes midnight?

When the Word of God is present, he is active, not just a spectator! He is always speaking new life, forgiveness, guidance, and renewal. He is always speaking redirection, encouragement, insight, and love. The sun rises on a new year because he gladly calls it to. And if anything has fallen into darkness in the past year, he only has to speak, and light will shine on it in the year to come.

So with gratitude, thank Jesus for all the blessings of 2015; with trust, surrender to him its sorrows and disappointments; and with hope, ask him, the Alpha and Omega, to speak words of grace into the year to come.

“Word of God, let this day of endings and beginnings be a reminder of your constant presence.

 

from wau.org

Plan for growth

Do not love the world or the things of the world. (1 John 2:15)

How magical life feels during this week between Christmas and New Year’s Day! As far as the Church is concerned, we are still in the Octave of Christmas. And as far as the world is concerned, the holiday season is still in full swing. Candles still give off their warm glow. Christmas trees remain in many homes. Families are spending more time together, and children are still basking in the mirth of the season. 

So why, in the midst of all these good feelings, is John warning us not to love the world? Why caution us against “sensual lust, enticement for the eyes, and a pretentious life” (1 John 2:16)? Does he like being a killjoy?

Not at all. Just a few verses before these warnings, John gives a litany of all the blessings that are ours because of Christmas: Our sins are forgiven. We can know “him who is from the beginning.” We can even know victory over the evil one (1 John 2:12-14). Surely there is much to rejoice over!

John gives us this warning because he knows how tricky life in the world can be. He knows that the Christian life is a matter of ongoing change and transformation. None of us really “arrives” at perfect holiness. It’s a journey filled with joy and fear, an adventure that has its triumphs and defeats.

Brothers and sisters, God has so much that he wants to give us. And the devil has so much that he wants to tempt us with. So no matter how far we’ve come, there is always more awaiting us: more grace and love from the throne of God. Greater transformation into the image of Christ. More healing of our past and more hope for our future. And there will never be an end to the obstacles, the challenges, and the temptation to rest on our laurels and stop seeking after the Lord.

So as the Octave of Christmas winds down, take time to rejoice in the marvelous gifts God has given you. But begin also to make a plan for growth in the coming year. And always remember: Jesus is with you no matter what!

“Lord, protect me from the snares of this world. Today, help me remember who you are and all that you have done in me. Jesus, I want to know you even more!”

from wau.org

Chrsit the saviour is born

Silent night, holy night, all is calm, all is bright
Round yon virgin Mother and Child, holy
Infant so tender and mild,
Sleep in heavenly peace,
Sleep in heavenly peace.

Silent night, holy night, shepherds quake at the sight,
Glories stream from heaven afar, heavenly hosts sing
Alleluia.
Christ the Saviour is born,
Christ the Saviour is born.

Silent night, holy night,
Son of God, love's pure light,
Radiant beams from
Thy holy face, with the dawn of redeeming grace,
Jesus, Lord, at Thy birth,
Jesus, Lord, at Thy birth.

Silent night, holy night, wondrous star, lend thy light;
With the angels let us sing,
Alleluia to our King.
Christ the Saviour is born,
Christ the Saviour is born.

 

-Franz Xaver Gruber

Why did Jesus come?

The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. (John 1:14)

Imagine yourself in the stable with Mary and Joseph. Jesus has been born! Angels sing, shepherds rejoice, and stars shine. While this moment has profound significance for all humanity, was the scene as polished and glittery as a fancy Christmas card? Probably not.

The stable was probably not particularly clean. There were probably flies and muck. At best, it had the earthy smells of livestock, but at worst, it smelled like manure. Jesus likely wasn’t the adorable, glowing baby that we often see represented in pictures. He probably looked like other newborns, splotches and all.

As we rejoice in the birth of Jesus, as we ponder the miracle of the divine coming down to kiss our world, we should also rejoice in the imperfections of the stable. Jesus embraced our human woundedness. He wasn’t repelled or put off by a little dirt. He didn’t shun our imperfection, but fully immersed himself in it. The mess and all the flaws are part of being human! 

Jesus didn’t avoid the stable, and he doesn’t avoid our sin. This should fill us with great hope and confidence. We don’t have to be perfect to receive him. There may even be times when we feel like we don’t “smell” much better than a stable! But that doesn’t matter to Jesus. The love that moved him to embrace our humanity is the same love that moves him to embrace each of us, imperfect though we are.

So remember the stable today and rejoice. You have an awesome, merciful, loving, all-powerful God—and he has come to live in your heart. No wonder the angels are singing! No wonder the shepherds were awestruck, and the wise men bowed down in worship! And no wonder we are all moved to rejoice on this glorious day! Merry Christmas!

“Jesus, thank you for the stable! Thank you for loving me as I am!”

from wau.org

Dream big

Should you build me a house to dwell in? (2 Samuel 7:5)

What’s your highest aspiration in life? What would you like to leave as your legacy? Forget personal ambition or financial goals; what would you like to accomplish for the sake of other people, perhaps even for God? 

David knew the answer to that question. He wanted to build a temple for the Lord. This seemed like a great idea to everybody, even Nathan, the court prophet. But God said no. He wasn’t interested in David trying to repay him for all that he had done. Instead, he talked about the even bigger things he was going to do for David. Rather than having David build him a house, God promised to build a house for David in the form of a kingdom that would last forever. David must have thought he had already arrived, but God turned around and said, “Not at all. I’m just getting started!”

On the eve of this great feast of Christmas, we are caught up in God’s long-ago promises to David—promises that find their fulfillment in the birth of Christ. Making David king of Israel was just the beginning of what God would do through him and his descendants. David didn’t see it coming because he wasn’t thinking and dreaming big enough.

Millions of people will be celebrating Midnight Mass tonight. They will gather in churches all around the world—houses of worship built by God as part of David’s legacy—and they will join with the angels singing, “Glory to God in the highest!” More people come to church on this day than any other day of the year. And do you know why they come? Because God is drawing them. No matter what their background, no matter how weak or strong their faith is, God has brought them to his house, and he is building their faith.

So dream big tonight. Think about your brothers and sisters who will be worshipping in India, Korea, Nigeria, Slovakia, Uruguay, Samoa, and every other country. Along with all of them, you too are loved and sought after by the eternal God. He is not done working in you and through you. He is still building his house in your heart! 

“All glory and praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ! You are the master builder of my life and the whole Church. Lord, I worship you!”

from wau.org

Good, good Father

My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord. (Luke 1:46)

Yes, Father, my soul proclaims your greatness, and my spirit rejoices in you! You are good and kind, loving and compassionate, toward me. You know who I am, and you understand my weakness. You delight in how you created me, and you never cease to teach me how to live the life you have created me for. Daily you come to meet me with mercy and strength. Daily you supply what I lack and help me when my own ideas and ability are not enough. 

Father, you count me among those in every generation on whom you have mercy! You forgive me when I cave in (again) to temptation—every time! You meet my repentance with your pardon, and you surround me anew with your love, compassion, and tender mercy. I rejoice today because you are slow to anger, and you never hold a grudge. You always show me mercy, even when I don’t deserve it. I am amazed because you delight in me and show me the kind and gentle sympathy of a father for his child.

You are great, Father, and you continually draw me up into your greatness! When fear stops me, you meet me with peace, wisdom, and direction. The strength of your arm holds me, lifts me up, and gently moves me forward at a pace that allows me to breathe again. When I am feeling tired and weary, you support me and fill me with your strength. You show me where to find rest in the midst of all my busyness. You protect me from discouragement, disappointment, and defeat.

Thank you, Father, for being ready to fill me with your presence every day! Your promises give me hope, even when the circumstances of my life speak the worst. You give me the reassurance that I am loved and precious in your sight, even when I feel frustrated by my weaknesses and overwhelmed by temptation. You convince me that I can know joy and peace if I but come to you in prayer every day. 

Father, how good you are! I try to be faithful to you, and you increase my faithfulness. I come to you hungry for your grace, and you fill me. I pour out my heart to you, and you pour out your love on me.

“My soul proclaims your greatness, Father, and my spirit rejoices in you!”

from wau.org

Enjoy who you are

How goodly are your tents, O Jacob! (Numbers 24:5)

Fair tents? Prospering like lush gardens? As strong as tall cedars? Nourished as by flowing waters? A laughable description at best! It’s easy to read Balaam’s prophecy as comforting words of hope and miss out on the somewhat humorous disconnect in this passage. At the time when Balaam uttered these words, the Israelites were not much more than a ragged band of nomads and ex-slaves wandering in the desert.

What Balaam saw was the Israelites as they would become, not as they were. And that’s why this is such a hope-filled passage. This is the way God always sees things, the way he always looks at us. He doesn’t see sins. He sees the blood of his Son washing us clean. He doesn’t see weaknesses and failures. He sees us clothed in the strength and dignity of Christ. As he looks down from heaven, he sees his children spotlessly pure and filled with his Spirit. And that includes you!

God always sees us in light of his perfect plan and intentions for our lives. So often, our sight is fixed on the ragged edges of who we are or what we’ve done. But we don’t have to mire ourselves in problems, sins, and difficulties. We will always be far more than the sum of all our troubles. Why? Because we will always be treasured children of an all-loving God. This is the central truth that can set us free from anxiety and empower us to enjoy the gifts and talents God has given us—and to look forward with eager anticipation toward everything that he still wants to lavish on us. 

So what can you do today to respond to this amazing passage? Simply enjoy who you are. You are a child of God. You are precious in his sight, chosen and beloved from before time began. You are a member of God’s own family, and you have great dignity and honor. Nothing can rob you of your place in God’s house; nothing can convince him to disown you or to abandon you. So marvel today in who you are—and in who you are destined to become!

“Father, how great is your plan for my life! It is so much bigger and better than I can possibly imagine. I stand in awe and praise you for your power and incomparable love.”

from wau.org

God's Masterpeice

… that all may see and know, observe and understand, that the hand of the Lord has done this. (Isaiah 41:20)

Imagine going to a museum filled with paintings and sculptures from well-known artists. Would you hear those around you marveling at the companies that provided the paint to the artists? Would they be examining the pedestal holding that statue with great interest? Not likely. Usually, we pay much more attention to the artist who produced the work than the tools they used. In a similar way, as we contemplate the canvas of the day before us, let’s make sure we focus on God’s handiwork right before our eyes.

Throughout their history, the people of Israel had become a portrait of God’s power, compassion, and dedication. God had promised that if they followed his laws, they would become a living testimony to the nations around them that he was mighty and had authority to do great things. Even these foreign people would come to recognize God and want to join the Israelites in worshipping and obeying him. Now, it didn’t always happen that way, but this was God’s plan, and he never stopped helping his people embrace it!

Just the same, God has worked in countless ways in our lives, and he wants us to respond by following him and becoming our own portrait of his goodness. It can be hard sometimes to recognize—or remember—his work, but it’s there. Perhaps he has whispered words of affirmation in the middle of Mass. Maybe a fortunate coincidence really was a God-incidence. Even a stern word of rebuke from a friend can be God’s voice turning us from a destructive path! 

Sometimes we can be so caught up in the moment that we lose sight of this bigger picture. But Advent can be an especially good time to look back over our lives to see where “the hand of the Lord” has been at work (Isaiah 41:20). He is a master painter, and we ought to be in awe of the work he is doing in us. Even if we can’t see it fully right now, we can still trust that he is transforming us into a masterpiece of his grace and mercy.

“Father, I give you permission to keep working in me. I want to be a testimony to your love!”

from wau.org

Find rest

Come to me … and I will give you rest. (Matthew 11:28)

Do you feel restless as Christmas approaches? If so, these words from Jesus are meant for you. Why did he invite people to rest in him? Maybe he saw how weary they were or how frustrated they felt at not seeing much fruit from their labors. Perhaps he noticed the burdens they were carrying—family challenges, guilt over past sins, or fears for their future. How many of us have felt this way as well!

The good news is that Jesus understands our need for rest. Remember, he often experienced fatigue and difficulties himself. His physical tiredness came from walking miles in the heat, surrounded by crowds of people wanting something from him. But he also felt a spiritual burden, knowing that he would eventually be rejected by many of these same people and condemned to a painful death.

How did Jesus deal with all this stress? By going away to rest in his Father’s presence—sometimes all night long (Luke 6:12). Jesus knew that his mission required that he do the hard work of preaching and teaching and healing, but he also knew that it required time apart with his Father so that he could continue on the path laid out for him.

Similarly, God has specific work that he wants us to do, and it can be demanding at times, especially as Christmas Day draws nearer. That’s why we have to make time to get away, just to be with Jesus, to receive his rest, his comfort, and his grace. This can pose a challenge to us, but it is so important that we need to make sure we do it. If only for a few moments at a time, we need to put aside our long Christmas to-do lists and postpone all those pressing demands. Think about how refreshing a quick nap can be. Think of how helpful it can be to get outside for a short walk. Now imagine how much more refreshing it can be to spend just a few moments with Jesus!

Today, take time to rest quietly in the Lord’s presence. Put the Christmas demands out of your mind—at least for a moment. Don’t worry about saying anything. Just relax, and soak up his love

 

from wau.org