Immanuel Whether for good or for bad, Christmas can be a time of reflection. In your moments of stillness and rest, what have you reflected upon this past month? Do snippets of your childhood come to mind as you decorate the tree, bake cookies, or plan to make that special meal for Christmas? Most years when it is time to put up the tree in the Flood home, I am transfixed back to the early 1980’s when a family of five (a mom and four young children) take a drive in the snowy countryside to pick out and cut down a tree. A small tree farm based on the honor system, you put your payment for the tree in the box before you leave. I am not even sure this family had very much to put in that box. They travel home down their long driveway to their home in the woods. They decorate their small Christmas tree with homemade, cut-out, painted salt-dough ornaments and garlands of cranberries and popcorn. This family is my family and I am the second of four children raised in a single parent home because my parents divorced when I was seven. Although at times my childhood was hard, as I reflect upon my life I can see the presence of Immanuel. Matthew 1:23 states, “The virgin will be with child and give birth to a son and they will call him Immanuel--which means God with us.” “Immanuel was the title given to Jesus, because Jesus was God united with man, and showed God was dwelling with men” (Smith’s Bible Names Dictionary). Immanuel is with us all the time--in the good times and in the tough times. In those tough times He offers hope, filling us with joy and peace (Romans 15:13). God was in my family in those tough times of childhood. For all practical purposes, my mom was a widow. My father remarried and moved to Florida sending very little monetary support or offering relational support. God has a special place in His heart for widows and orphans (Deuteronomy 10:18). Although we had very little, God provided for our family, a lot of times through our local church. One Christmas, a man from our church dressed up as Santa Claus and delivered gifts to our home. Can a man dressed as Santa be a tangible representation of Immanuel? I believe he can when joy is brought to children and they realize they are not alone and that they are cared for and loved. As I look back through my life, I can see numerous ways God has been Immanuel to me. Each instance brings tears to my eyes and joy to my heart as I realize I was not alone--God was with me. What does Jesus, Immanuel, mean to you? As we enter this final week of Advent and Christmas is only a few days away, what is the state of your heart? If you don’t know Jesus personally, if He has not become your Immanuel, take time to get to know Him. Begin by reading Luke chapters 1-3. If that piques your interest, move onto the book of John. Feel free to reach out to Samantha or myself with any questions you may have. If you have a personal relationship with Jesus, take time to share with your children, your family and your friends your Immanuel stories (Psalm 78:1-7) this Christmas season as you gather together. May we each be grateful for the best gift this Advent Season, Immanuel, God with us.
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Weary Soul Rejoice Christmas Trivia: The above phrase comes from which hymn? While you are thinking of the answer I have a few more questions. Have you ever taken the time to ponder the words to Christmas hymns and carols? Is it truly possible for a weary soul to rejoice? According to “O Holy Night” it is possible. During this third week of Advent we are going to dig deeper into the meaning behind the lyrics of “O Holy Night.” “O Holy Night” was written in 1847 by Frenchman Placide Cappeau and later translated into English by John Sullivan Dwight in 1858. When I looked at the literal French translation, I saw how it is possible for a weary soul to rejoice that involves coming to our knees, bowing our heads, and then standing up. The Christmas season can be difficult for many of us, causing our soul to become weary. Sadness, sickness, stress, hurt, loss, and anxiety can be masked by the tinsel, bows, and the festivities of the season. The first verse in this beloved hymn acknowledges these heartaches and offers hope. “Long lay the world in sin and error pining, ‘Till He appeared and the soul felt its worth.” Since sin entered the world, we will continue to experience heartache and pain. But, the Lord came to tangibly demonstrate His love for us (John 3:16,17). We have value and are important to Him. He became Emmanuel, God with us. Realization of this will cause us to come to our knees in humility-- realizing He is our Redeemer and we cannot do life on our own. Verse two and the following chorus goes on to affirm that the Lord knows and can relate to our difficulties: “He knows our need, to our weakness no stranger.” Sometimes when we are in the midst of pain, we can feel alone and that no one understands. “In our trials, He was born to be our friend.” He is familiar with our pain and can relate (Hebrews 4:15,16). He has also placed brothers and sisters in Christ around us to bring comfort and support. When we begin to realize this we will not only come to our knees but we will bow our heads in gratitude before our Redeemer and friend. Maybe this Christmas you are not personally experiencing pain but you know someone who is going through a difficult time. Verse three gives insight into how to offer help. “Truly He taught us to love one another, His law is love and His gospel is peace...in His name all oppression shall cease” (John 13:34). Reach out in love and be the hands and feet of Jesus in tangible ways as He leads you. Pray that Jesus will break the chains of oppression. There is power in His name (John 20:31). And together, we will praise our Redeemer for life and deliverance and stand up to proclaim His power and glory. On that holy night so many years ago, Jesus came to redeem the world. He came. His presence is with us. O, what a gift! O Holy Night O holy night, the stars are brightly shining, It is the night of the dear Saviour’s birth; Long lay the world in sin and error pining, ‘Till he appeared and the soul felt its worth. A thrill of hope the weary world rejoices, For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn; Chorus Fall on your knees, Oh hear the angel voices! O night divine! O night when Christ was born. O night, O holy night, O night divine. Led by the light of Faith serenely beaming; With glowing hearts by his cradle we stand: So, led by light of a star sweetly gleaming, Here come the wise men from Orient land, The King of Kings lay thus in lowly manger, In all our trials born to be our friend; Chorus He knows our need, To our weakness no stranger! Behold your King! Before Him lowly bend! Behold your King! your King! before him bend! Truly He taught us to love one another; His law is Love and His gospel is Peace; Chains shall he break, for the slave is our brother, And in his name all oppression shall cease, Sweet hymns of joy in grateful Chorus raise we; Let all within us praise his Holy name! Chorus Christ is the Lord, then ever! ever praise we! His pow’r and glory, evermore proclaim! His pow’r and glory, evermore proclaim! Choose Rest What do you long for this Advent Season? World peace, reconciliation in your family, a cure for cancer and other diseases, provision for the widows and orphans, more time, rest? All of these are good aspirations, but during this second week of Advent we are going to focus on one simple four letter word: Rest. Rest. Is it so simple? What exactly is it? Mirriam-Webster defines rest as freedom from activity or labor, peace of mind or spirit, a rhythmic silence in music, quiet. The Lord offers a definition of rest in Isaiah 30:15: “This is what the Sovereign Lord, the Holy One of Israel says: In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength, but you would have none of it.” We can find salvation in repentance and rest? I understand when we repent of our sins (wrongdoings), God is faithful to forgive us because Jesus Christ died as the atoning sacrifice for our sins (I John 4:9,10). But, according to this verse in Isaiah, salvation is found in both repentance and rest. After we repent, we can fully rest in the knowledge that our sins are forgiven; we do not need to work to earn our salvation. We find rest in God alone knowing our salvation comes from Him (Psalm 62:1,5). The holiday season is an odd time to talk about rest when our calendars and lives are full of hurry. Rest seems to be the first to go. Did you catch the last phrase of Isaiah 30:15? It says, “but you would have none of it.” We are not so different from the Israelites. We choose to strive, to accomplish one more thing on our to do list, and seek the security the world offers. In chapter 30 of Isaiah, the Israelites were fleeing to Egypt for help instead of resting and trusting in God for their strength and protection. God reminds them that their salvation is not found in the deception of Egypt. Salvation is found in repentance and rest. Do we need this same reminder? Our salvation and strength does not come by pursuing the things of this world--like purchasing the next latest, best, biggest of anything; or seeking power, position, prestige--but by repenting and resting in Him. Isaiah 30:15 goes on to say we find strength in quietness and trust. The definition of rest from Merriam-Webster that stood out to me is the rhythmic silence in music, quiet. Our lives are so full of noise and distractions. How often are we quiet and still? Busyness and striving are distractions Satan uses to keep us from what matters most: repentance, rest, quietness and trust. The progression of these words is significant. Repent, rest, be quiet and trust Me. What do you need to repent of this Advent Season? Are you taking time to rest in His love and grace? Are you being quiet so you are able to hear His voice (Isaiah 30:21)? Are you trusting Him to meet your needs? Whenever I pass this sunny spot on my couch I hear God saying, Come, cease your striving; rest in Me. This Advent season, I invite you to take a deep breath, exhale and join me on the couch, choosing to rest in the gift of His Presence. Christmas shopping, decorating, card addressing, baking cookies, holiday parties and programs, wrapping gifts, volunteering and oh, you need to do this on top of all your regular responsibilities. Is this really the most wonderful time of the year? I can feel my anxiety raising just as I type this list. Many people in the Bible can relate to our feelings of stress and anxiety. Moses is one of these men. In Exodus 33:12-13 Moses approaches God with a bit of an anxious heart. He brings his concerns before God and God reassures Moses in Exodus 33:14, “My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.” Rest. I believe we all long for this, especially this time of year. What does this rest look like? Is it a long winter’s nap as in The Night Before Christmas poem? Is it a much-anticipated vacation? Is it a family member volunteering to do something on our to do list? I believe it is so much more fulfilling than this. In His presence, we find rest. In this upcoming Advent season, I invite you to unwrap the gift of His presence. A child eagerly anticipates the opening of a daily advent gift. Become a child in mind and heart and anticipate the daily gift of His presence. Wake up ten to fifteen minutes before the rest of the family, make a cup of coffee or tea, turn on the lights on the Christmas tree, read a verse, ponder on it and pray. He will meet you there and prepare your heart for the day ahead and His presence will go with you. I experienced the gift of His presence this morning. Right before my alarm went off I woke with a disturbing dream. I dreamt our family was on a boat and the winds and waves caused the boat to capsize sending our family into the water. I frantically began to look for Hannah and Abby’s heads bobbing above the water. As I saw their faces, they were much younger. I called out to Eric to help me save them. This is when I woke up, not knowing if we made it to them to help or not?! Talk about an anxious heart. This is not the way you want to start a day. After I got up, I spent some time reading God’s word and praying, still feeling a bit unsettled. As I went out for a run, His presence went with me. Just over a mile into my run, God interpreted the dream for me. In my dream I envisioned Hannah and Abby much younger. I felt God say to me, “Your girls are not little children anymore. You cannot go with them and protect them wherever they go. But, they are Mine, I know them by name (Exodus 33:17) and My presence will go with them.” Immediately, God’s peace and sense of rest came over me calming my anxious heart. Glory be to God. As you enter this Advent season may you anticipate the gift of God’s presence and allow Him to calm your anxious heart. |
AuthorI am a woman who loves everything about making a house a home. I enjoy meal planning, cooking, baking, sewing, crafting, and decorating. Not so much cleaning and laundry, but that goes along with caring for a home. I am blessed to be married to a pastor and we have had the privilege of raising two daughters. Archives
July 2021
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