Christmas '10

"I know that my Redeemer lives, and that in the end He will stand upon the earth.  And after my skin has been destroyed, yet in my flesh I will see God"  (Job 19:25-26)

This verse has been in my mind ever since we did the study in Job a few weeks ago.  I've associated this verse with Christmas ever since I heard the musical piece in Handel's Messiah that was based on it.  In a way, it is also related to our "Beauty for Ashes" theme, in that it gives the eternal perspective in the midst of suffering and  expresses hope in the resurrection.

I am grateful for time to pause and ponder the true meaning of Christmas.   The presents have been wrapped and the cards are written.   I was actually pleased that the card I sent this year to those in my class reflected the "Beauty for Ashes" theme nicely - the front had a picture of the manger, and the inside was a picture of the crown of thorns; and the verse quoted was Matthew 1:21 "You shall call His name Jesus, for He shall save His people from their sins."  Christ's resurrection was the Beauty raised from the Ashes of the crucifixion.

It is in "stillness" that we are better able to listen to God's "voice"; and in taking the time to be still, I did feel led to give an additional gift and send another card.  I already received a response for the card; and I trust that God uses these as part of His Plans, whatever they may be.

I have time now to focus on the Person whose birth we are celebrating - Jesus Christ.....  Another passage that has been on my mind is Philippians 2:6-11 about Jesus, "Who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men.  Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.  For this reason also, God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus EVERY KNEE WILL BOW, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. "   That's the Christmas message, that Jesus though equal with God, chose to empty Himself, took human form, died on the cross for our sins;and then was resurrected and is worthy to be worshipped.  Amen!