I know Christmas is long over (although we Catholics just ended Christmas last Sunday) but I will take advantage of the fact that schools just reopened considering my title heading and share my Christmas experience. It is a long one and so will take several posts.
Back in primary school this was always the very first composition we would write when we resumed from vacation. I am sure how my Christmas went would be one essay which would have merited much attention from my teacher of my many travels. This season of Christmas has been one of the best I have had in a long while and probably the best since I 'grew up'.
The normal accepted trend is to celebrate Christmas with family, yet as Christmas and the end of the year drew near, I longed for a retreat to reconnect with my maker since 2013 had been a trying and eventful year.
I quickly jumped at the opportunity when it came through a two week break from work. I dared therefore to defy social norm and planned a three-day retreat encompassing Christmas.
I began my trip with my first destination to Kumasi leaving Accra on the 24th of December.
My 3-day retreat began on 25th December, each day with a theme and so I will begin with Day one.
25th December 2013
Day one
New Beginnings - Time with Jesus
In the morning of the day which my Saviour was born, I went for mass at the KNUST Catholic Chaplaincy after which I spent time with the Lord under the trees at Queens. As I read Luke's account of the birth of the Lord, I took note of a few things which I will like to share.
Luke 1
Zechariah belonged to the priestly division of the tribe of Abijah and as it was custom, there was a rotation,
in which a member of each of the ten tribes was to perform the priestly duties therefore it was possible that
it is just once in the lifetime of a person that one would perform that duty. It was no coincidence therefore
that the angel appeared to Zechariah when it was his time to perform his duty. It was purposely planned that way to fulfill God's plan.
Both Elizabeth and Zechariah were described as righteous in the sight of God; not in the sight of men but in the sight of God. They observed all and not some of the Lord's commands and decrees.
These were people set apart for the Lord and so when the time came for the Lord to choose people to care for he who was to prepare the way for the Messiah, they were chosen.
When the angel appeared before Zechariah, he told him the name of their son and his purpose on earth, 'he will be a delight and joy to them. Many will rejoice because of his birth. He will be filled with the Spirit. He will bring back many of the people of Israel. He will turn the hearts of parents to their children and the disobedient to the wisdom of righteous'. Before their son was born, Zechariah knew who he was to become.
As parents, the role of parenting does not just end with providing chromosomes or love but when we pray and seek the Lord's face, before they are born, it shall be revealed the purpose and plan of the child according to the will of God. It is in this way that we may fulfill exactly 'bring up the child the way he should
go and he will never depart from it'.
When Zechariah doubted the angel, he was made dumb. Maybe this was to give Zechariah an opportunity to reflect on his life and on the life of the one he would help bring into this world, for for 9 months he remained silent. Sometimes we go through certain situations to help increase our faith in God. Sometimes the Lord through some experiences can silence us so we can reflect on our lives and appreciate His awesomeness.
After this time of reflection with Luke, I spent some time at the Royal Parade grounds, and took in nature around me. I watched as leaves from a tree fell to the ground and it struck me that the Lord knew the exact second each leaf fell to the ground. He knew how long each leaf had been on the branches and I began to marvel at the omniscience of the one whom I serve.
That ended my short time with the Lord on Christmas Day.
to be continued...
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