Monday, December 16, 2013

Christmas Re:Connect



Once upon a time, when I was a little girl, Christmas was magical. Christmas was tinsel twinkling on the lit-up tree. Gifts and feasting at Grandpa and Grandma's house. Singing carols with hot cocoa and candy canes.

But, as an older child, Christmas seemed like a big let down. There was so much hype about getting all the gifts. When the day finally came, the wrapping on the presents was ripped to shreds, the dried out evergreen was on the curb (or the artificial one back in the box), and I couldn't stand the feeling that it was all over.

Later on, as a young teen, I came to know the true reason for the season:

And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. (John 1:9-14) 

Even though I knew and believed in Christ Jesus, Christmastime brought about this unmet longing after all was said and done.

What did all of it really mean? The tree, the festivities, the giving and receiving of gifts?

Maybe it's the way we celebrate that left me wanting?

Or is it something more?

Jean Flemming, author of The Homesick Heartsays something about Christmas disconnect:

"The notion that there is something more to Christmas always seems to tremble in the background."

There must be a reason for the longing in the season.


Is there this elusive gift that I have not yet been able to receive?

Looking at advent has shed a light on my problem. Christmas is a reminder that we are still in the in-between.

Christ has come,

yet He will come again.

This must be where the longing resides.

Through Christ, God has given us the gift of salvation, but that is only part of the gift.

He dwelt among us and after becoming a sacrifice for our sins, He went back to heaven to be with the Father (2 Corinthians 5:21, Matthew 28: 18, 19, Luke 24:45-52).

I yearn for the return of the King. Christ. The Risen One.

He is the desire of my heart and my portion forever (Isaiah 26:8, Psalm 73:26).

Christmas doesn't have to be a let down for me. For I know that because Christ was born, God in the flesh,  Emmanuel is with us. He left, but He didn't leave us alone. He is here by His Spirit.




I can celebrate and wait.

There is a connection with what the birth of Christ means for us now and in eternity.

Salvation and restoration.

The next part of the gift has not unfolded.

Yet.

Christ is yet to come, and He will restore all things that were lost after the great fall of mankind in the Garden of Eden. He will truly make all things new (Revelation 21:1-6).

God, the Son, came to earth, as a little baby born in a manger, grew up to die on the cross, was raised back to life on the third day, was taken up to heaven, and will come again in glory.

He will raise to life those who belong to Him.

Having a baby I miscarried and another child who lived a short life, I long for this day.




It all connects.

And it all serves to bring Him glory.

Have a very blessed and merry Christmas!






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