Christmas, Christmas Time is Here

I had my first Christmas miracle today!  I was in and out of the DMV in less than 20 minutes having secured the new license plates I needed! (The originals were stolen off of Sam’s car).  I’ve been praying lately that I would see God in new ways.  Praying for a spirit of wisdom and revelation to know his love more deeply and truly; to see into the spiritual realm more clearly and to walk with Jesus more intimately.  The shortness of the DMV line was a gift.  I see that.  The heart rocks God continues to shower me with are gifts.  I see them as revelations of God’s unconditional love for me.  The ease and depth of conversation around the dinner table with my family…love it.  Recognize it as a gift from my Father’s hand.  Needing to fight for our sleep, love and pray through a weight of oppressive warfare, battle through a pervading sense of disqualification…haven’t seen those as gifts.  Standing against the seemingly endless accusation from the enemy; not enjoying that.  Needing to call child protective services, listening to my friend cry as she tells me of her husband’s betrayal,  learning of the latest drug bust for herion at my son’s school…having trouble recognizing Jesus there.

But he is there.  Jesus not only reigns.  He is reigning.  Not only did he live, he is living. He came.  He is coming still.  Now.  Today.  In all moments.  And soon, He is coming in the moment we are long awaiting…on a powerful white steed, with justice in his heart, and a flaming sword in his hand.  Halleluia.

Many of those I care for are in times of deep trevail.  They are needing to stand against the world’s tide and the enemy’s assault and rely on God in ways that are difficult but ultimately so very good.  Gee wiz, we all are, aren’t we?  And sometimes, it gets confusing and tiring.  But the fruit, oh the fruit, of pressing into Jesus in the midst of the sorrows of life is pure gold.  Not only for the good of our own deepening faith but for the fellowship of believers cheering us on and the eyes of the world that are always watching.  Like Joseph, we will come to say, the enemy meant it for evil, but our God – the God of the resurrection – meant it for our good and the saving of many lives.

The injustices and suffering in the world are beyond vast.  Heartbreaking.  Overwhelming.  Mind boggling.  You know this.  This earth has deteriorated horrificly.  And it was to this world that Jesus came.   Thank you God for coming!

And the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of a great joy which shall be for all the people; for today in the city of David there has been born FOR YOU a Savior who is Christ the Lord!”.  (Luke 2:10)

His coming, his love, his pursuit, his triumph, his great goodness is the Christmas miracle that we celebrate; that opens our eyes, that keeps us breathing and moving forward.  And so I decorate my house for Christmas and I still my heart to make room for the Prince of peace who has come and is coming  again.  I pray.  I wait.  I yearn.  I ache.  I hope.  I believe.  I ask.  I seek.  I bow.  I worship.  I surrender.  I receive.

Come Lord Jesus.  Even so.

 

Comments

[Carrie]

Oh yes He is there. Thanks for the vulnerable reminder. 'Cause we all have a hard time seeing him there in the really messy things of this world. But He's there. The Christmas miracle IS what opens our eyes, keeps us breathing and moving forward! Well said Stasi!

[Sallie]

May you always be able to hear the cheers of the fellowship of believers on your behalf -- you who have taught us to worship in the midst of life, that we might find real LIFE. Good news, great joy -- may we live in both. Thank you, Stasi.

[Helene Bergren]

Wow. Thank you for sharing that. Full of truth and powerfully written.

[Ree]

You're right. I think many of us feel the assault of the enemy around this time of year in just about every way possible. How good it is of you to remind us of how we must press into the Lord during these times and rejoice in the fruits that come from that. I'm reminded of Ps. 37:4. Thank you!

[Norma Gene]

We need those spiritual eyes to 'see' God in the midst of...well everything. Today I have prayed to look for His embrace. We forget that He is smiling and waiting with open arms! Thanks Stasi for always inspiring me. Merry Christmas to you and yours.

[Iliana]

Merry Christmas! I love saying that, despite its un-pc-ness.

Let Earth receive her King! I love that line in the Christmas Carol. I know I struggle to receive my King-Lovers' Love, he was a child... so, I ponder....

I feel like I, after 29 years of following my King, I have to go back to the beginning. I messed up, I feel, so did others ... how can I fix it? I can't, no way, how? God help me and others who can relate "...receive her King" in Your Name, Glory, Gloria .... I must come to Him as a child, yet again ....

[Ashley]

I definitely felt the assault of the enemy this week. Particularly in the area of disqualification. However it is a great comfort to be reminded that God is working in and through those situations. That he has come, he is here and he is to come still! AMEN Stasi!

[Lisa Bryant]

Your post certainly hits home for me. So often I find myself overwhelmed with the goings on of the world around me...so much pain, so much unhappiness, so much, so much. I flounder around like some one in deep water trying to find a foothold to propel myself back up and out to the air for a deep breath. Even the upcoming holiday has begun to pale and I've felt like I wanted to simply hibernate through it. Separation from children; one by his life choices, one because he is traveling with his wife....and I didn't think I could continue to celebrate Christmas as usual. Thank you for reminding me that even if my house is near to empty this year there is still Jesus.

[Felicia Sidharta]

Merry Christmas Stasi. Not sure if it's the right forum to do so but would like to thank you for writing Captivating.

Here's my Christmas gift to you.
http://feliciasky.wordpress.com/2010/12/30/captivating-by-john-and-stasi-eldredge/

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