This is the devotion that I wrote for our church's advent season. It was sent out today. As I sit here drinking my coffee and listening to Christmas music, surrounded by my family, my excited kids, footballs whizzing across the room, a sea of wrapping paper and boxes, doll clothes and little tiny doll furniture, uncle Si's voice coming from a tiny stuffed bearded man, and a bike that would only be allowed in the house on this day, I can only imagine how exciting the first Christmas must have been. I have more than I deserve.
Wednesday, December 25, 2013
PEACE____________________________________________________________________________
I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world."
John 16:33 (NIV)
We have a manger scene on a low table in our den. It's the breakable kind, ceramic and all, but I bought it to be played with because there is something really awesome about playing with breakables when you're a kid. I also think that if anything should be revered as fragile, yet tangible, it has to be the scene where Jesus came to us as a human. It sounds like plates falling from the sky when I'm in the kitchen and hear the clinging sound of ceramic knocking together but then I realize it's just Kate rearranging her wise men and shepherds and it makes me smile. Baby Jesus has only one arm now, but the one ceramic nub is a symbol of how loved that tiny baby is. The characters are frequently placed in different positions - sometimes they are all crammed in the manger so they don't get wet if it rains, sometimes they are on top of a "mountain" so they can see better. Yesterday morning when I woke up I noticed that the shepherds and wise men were in a perfectly straight line and Mary and Joseph were on each side of Jesus and the baby was in the middle kicking and waving his one arm. I imagine that is what it had to be like. Time stopped for a moment and everyone stared in awe of a tiny baby, innocent and holy, and a complete miracle. After all, that's exactly what I did when the doctor handed each of my children to me. But that Baby is extra special - He is a symbol of peace in the midst of darkness, human flesh that connects us to God, and where the wonder of the Christmas season all began. No matter how many times I hear that story, it never gets old and it never loses its magic.
I have to think of Mary when I think of the story of the birth of Jesus. As a mother, she makes us all look bad. How trusting and faithful she had to be. Certainly there had to be times when she wasn't ok with it all. She had to feel alone sometimes. She had to wonder if she was ever going to get off that donkey and have that baby. But, God knew exactly where she needed to be and when to make the birth of Jesus have such a human connection where the story would never grow old and still be a miracle. And, I've learned the hard way that's how God works. I've felt alone, helpless, and completely out of control. My faith is not nearly as good as Mary's. I have asked why and when and how so many times, and there have been countless moments when God has had to remind me that He is in control. And, still He gives me peace.
Through, a tiny, helpless baby, He overcame the world. During this Christmas season, let us be mindful of the sanctity and fragility of life and of the peace that Jesus brings us, sometimes in the midst of the darkest hours.
Dear Lord,
Help us to remember how sacred and fragile the gift of life is this Christmas season. Thank you for the peace that you have brought to us through the birth of your only Son.
Amen.
Kimberly Jessop
Emmanuel Class
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