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Thursday, December 24, 2009

It's Christmas Eve morning at my home. The countdown to Christmas is nearly done. Just one last day to pick up a few more gifts, wrap a few presents and prepare for tomorrow.

I'm looking forward to Christmas, but in reality it's just another day on the calendar. It's simply December 25th.

If I put all my emphasis on December 25th being a "perfect" day, I will have missed the point.

If I stress out over whether everyone loves the gifts I bought, I will have missed the point.

If I get impatient with my loved ones because they aren't helping me clean up, I will have missed the point.

If I put more care into my dinner than my dinner companions, I will have missed the point.

What is the point?

That God loved me enough to leave the majesty of heaven and come to the humility of earth.

That God took on the form of a baby and grew into a man so that I could really, really get to know Him.

That Jesus throughout His entire life, not just the day of His birth, introduced me to a new way to live in the Kingdom of God - loving others and giving up my "rights" to serve God and others.

That Jesus paid the ultimate price of His life, so that the price would be paid for MY sin.

That I can now look forward to eternity with God, and my sisters and brothers in Christ.

Tomorrow will be a nice day, but it's really just a day to remember all of this, and recommit to living my life draped in the truth of it all.

So if it's not a perfect day, at least it's all in honor of a perfect God.

My prayer for you is that the quiet of the manger stills your heart in the midst of your busy day, that the song of the angels fills your mouth with praise, and that the joy of Jesus rests on you and fills your heart throughout the year.

Merry Christmas!

In His Love,
Glynnis

6 comments:

Anonymous said...

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO YOU AND THANK YOU FOR YUR PRAYER FOR TODAY I AM GOING THUR A BAD DIVORCE BUT I WILL THINK POSTIVE TTODAY AND CHRISTMAS DAY AND THE DAYS FOLLOWING THRU CHRIST HIMSELF FOR DYING ON THE CROSS FOR ME

Noble Bourne said...

Glynnis, thank you for the Proverbs31 devotion today. I seem to be convicted by most devotions received in my email but yours always seem to resonate with me the most. We must think alike! Or at least relate to Jesus in a similar manner! Whichever it is, thank you for being His instrument and letting His light shine through you. I am so thankful for you!


Enjoy Jesus' Birthday Celebration tomorrow!

Tricia Postma

Unknown said...

Wow, what a beautiful gift you have in writing. Thank you for sharing it and being obedient. I am so blessed by your thoughts and prayers. I pray you and your family will experience the joy and peace of our Lord this Christmas season and blessings in the coming year.

Colleen Reske said...

Glynnis,

Last night I took some time away from all the preparations to be still and watch the movie "The Nativity Story". The story touched my heart in many ways more profound than ever before.

Earlier in the day, I had watched some theologian scholars try to prove or refute events surrounding the birth of Christ. It didn't shake my faith at all. I believe what I believe to be true, and I know Christ came as baby to show me, through His life and death, how I should live my life.

I sing with a local community choir, and our concert this Christmas was various "Magnificat"s through the centuries. We sang in Latin (Vivali), and even in Russian (Rachmaninoff) and thankfully in English, too (Stanford). Giving meaning through these words of Mary, through the emphasis of song, drew them closer to my heart. When I watched the movie last night, I deeply understood all that I had been singing about!

Recently I had the privilege of singing "Breath of Heaven (Mary's Song)" on Mary's Sunday as a solo for my church. In my heart, I tried to imagine how she felt, carrying the Savior of the world. Do you know the song? Here's a link for you: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0wz8HR8Fh0Y&feature=related


Christmas Blessings to you and your family, Glynnis. The "perfect Christmas," I have learned, is to have my family together as we all share in the simple joy of loving each other. It is the most peaceful morning of the year, and I am so looking forward to it. Enjoy a wonderful family holiday!

Colleen

Van said...

Christmas blessings, Glynnis- been posting some of my own thoughts about Christmas. Am thankful for a few silent and peaceful moments to contemplate about this special day.

Anonymous said...

Thank you for your post today. I constantly need this type of reminder! As oen who is very Martha-like, I hate to admit it, but I was too busy yesterday to read this! However, I sat down today to catch up now that the kids are otherwise occupied.