The blessing of Christmas

     

     The Christmas Season has once again come to my city! How do I know? The decorated shops are filled with gift-seekers; there is an overcrowding hustle and bustle happening throughout the malls; long line-up of cars patiently, or not, searching for a parking space. 
     I would call it a Santa–Claustrophobia. 

     I am glad most of my shopping happened in November. But why Christmas? At Christmas we celebrate the birthday of the most important person who has ever lived.

     After all, He is the centrepiece of our civilization — as we name what happened before His birth, B.C. and what happened after, A.D. 

     The blessing of Christmas is first and foremost, the birth of Jesus Christ in a Bethlehem stable. 

     In a 1929 Saturday Evening Post interview, Albert Einstein said, “As a child I received instruction both in the Bible and in the Talmud. I am a Jew, but I am enthralled by the luminous figure of the Nazarene…. No one can read the Gospels without feeling the actual presence of Jesus. His personality pulsates in every word. No myth is filled with such life.” 

     

     The Bible, as one continuous story, reveals at Christmastime, He is “God with us.”

     I love hearing the name, Immanuel. Matthew 1:23 says, “The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him 'Immanuel' which means, 'God with us.'” 

     I’m amazed that the all powerful God became a human being. Jesus lived on earth as a man, but was never less than God. 

     The story continues, for at Easter time, God becomes “God for us.” 1 Peter 3:18 reminds us, “For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring us to God.” 

     I believe we will not truly appreciate the significance of Christmas without remembering Easter and the cross. Then, after returning to heaven, Jesus sent His Holy Spirit on the Day of Pentecost, making possible “God in us.” 

     This is why Christmas is not just a festival. 

     Understanding the blessing of that first Christmas, “God with us,” then His stepping into our place that first Easter, “God for us,” we now can experience an even greater blessing of “God in us” by His indwelling Spirit. What a wonderful “true story!” 

     Why should we hesitate to accept this gracious gift offered again this Christmas — the gift of Himself? 

     How would you feel if someone refused a gift you graciously and lovingly offered? 

     Such rejection must pain our Creator and Heavenly Father’s heart.  Our world needs to hear the “good news” announced by a host of angels that first Christmas. 

     I recently read these statistics: “Today more than 60 per cent of Canadians rarely or never attend church. Among the young people who do, half think that many religions can lead to eternal life. And since 1960, the number of people who say they have no religious affiliation has increased 400 per cent."

     Canada needs the Jesus who is “the Reason for the Season!”     

     A father wanted to read a magazine but was bothered by his little girl, Shelby. 
Finally, he tore a sheet out of his magazine on which was printed the map of the world. 
Tearing it into small pieces, he gave it to Shelby and said, “Go into the other room and see if you can put this together." 
After a few minutes, Shelby returned and handed him the map correctly fitted together. 
The father was surprised and asked how she had finished so quickly. 
“Oh,” she said, “on the other side of the paper is a picture of Jesus. When I got all of Jesus back where He belonged, then the world came together.”  

     

A powerful thought!  

     In the spirit of Tiny Tim — “May God Bless Us Everyone!"    




— beulah 

Cafe comrades; my breakfast surprise!

     

     

     Wonder of wonders! I never know what blessing I may encounter as I approach each new day. 

     Such was my experience last Saturday morning when I was asked to meet some family members at our local Rickey’s Restaurant. 

     Daughter Debi and son-in-law Mark, knowing my favourite meal of the day is breakfast and that I especially enjoy eating out, occasionally arrange for me to meet them at a local cafe. 

     Though I expected grandson Nathan to join us, I was not prepared for the “lovely surprise” he brought with him. 

     

Image stolen from Nathan Harvey's Facebook page — without apologies.

None other than a special friend, with the lovely name — Shea. 

     Nathan, soon to be graduating with a degree in civil engineering, has faithfully dedicated himself to the books. 


     As I kept hearing of his involvement in several weddings of his friends, I would tease him, suggesting it was time for him to 'fess up and confess to his grandma who he has been secretly admiring. 

   

     It’s been said, “Some people radiate beauty simply by living.” I’m sure who ever said that, must have had Shea in mind. 

     What a charming, friendly, gracious, youthful and loving persona! She stole my heart immediately. A great choice, Nathan! 

     We all need to be blanketed in the warmth of someone’s love and encouragement. Friendships are gifts to be treasured. Many true loves began with ardent friendships. 

     As life unfolds, I believe it is the desire of you both to have Jesus as the centre of your developing relationship. You both already know that the greatest need of your hearts is having a personal connection with Him.   

     Isn’t it awesome that we are the only form of life God created in His image, which includes the capacity to love and be loved? 

     Each year, replaying in my mind the beautiful Christmas story, I try to take time to meditate on the part Mary played in all of it. Seeing the youthful and wholesome beauty of a young lady such as Shea, reminds me how similar Mary might have been. 

     I believe God looked upon her heart and loved what he saw. She loved God, had a servant attitude and was humble in her faith. 

     Luke 1:28 says, "The angel went to her and said, 'Greetings, you who are highly favoured!'" 

     

     To be favoured is to be blessed. Mary had already learned to trust God, and along with other women, had anticipated and wondered about the Messiah’s birth. She now had to trust God for things unseen. 

    

      Because of her love, strong faith and trust, every generation since has been blessed by Jesus’ humble birth. 

     Perhaps one day, I can thank Mary for her amazing faith and willingness to be His servant, and for giving our Lord a home until the beginning of His ministry.  

     Leading up to Christmas, so many lovely events are happening. I recently enjoyed the children’s Solid Rock Choir presentation at my church; a trip to the Penticton Events Centre to see the Cirque Musica’s live performance with the Okanagan Symphony Orchestra; and a Scrooge breakfast at nearby Sandalwood Retirement.  

     

     

     I’m so looking forward to precious family times this season, with a probable 20 (family and friends) around my table. Included in our happy gang — we will welcome Shea, Cecilia, a new friend from Kenya, and possibly a next-door neighbour. 

     

Our house motto, “No one, spends Christmas Day alone” still stands, Nels!  

     

Everyone needs someone 

People need people, and friends need friends, 

And we all need love, for a full life depends 

Not on vast riches or great acclaim, 

Not on success or worldly fame, 

But on just knowing that someone cares 

And holds us close in their thoughts and prayers, 

For only the knowledge that we’re understood 

Makes everyday living feel wonderfully good.   

— Helen Steiner Rice        

     

“Of all the music that reaches farthest into heaven, it is the beating of a loving heart.”  

— Henry Ward Beecher

— beulah eagles