While putting out my decorations the other day, I paused to wonder, “Why am I draping gold beads over these glass ornaments and placing them on the back of my piano? I mean, really, is this necessary? Would life be simpler if I did not go to the trouble of decorating my home?” As I paused a moment and let that question settle, this answer came to mind. I celebrate the most amazing event that occurred thousands of years ago. My life is anchored around a glorious moment in history that forever changed this world. It changed life for everyone I know , those before me and for my descendants to come. A King, a Messiah came without fanfare into a quiet little town and brought hope and healing to the world then and now. I celebrate this month the fact that there is hope for the hopeless and peace for the desperate. There is forgiveness for the aching souls who long to know their past is forgotten. There is a blanket of mercy that wraps around the most callous heart and warms it until it beats again with hope for a new life. This Redeemer, this healer of my soul, this baby, is a King. There is royal blood running through His veins and though the world around Him didn’t know it at the time, I know it now. I know He is deserving of all the praise and adoration I can possibly find within me to express. So, I light up my corner of the world because I am grateful for who He is and what He has done in my life and the lives of those around me. I make my home sparkle with lights because His face is as radiant as the Sun. I drape gold and silver because He deserves every beautiful, rich color I can find to express my wonder at the glorious riches of His love. I lay boughs of evergreen around because His love is never ending. I can count on Him to always, always be with me. No matter the storm, no matter my pain, He is the constant peace that carries me. I light candles because His Word lights my way and warms up my frightened heart with it’s peacefilled promises and encouragement. I plan and prepare feasts of my very best best offerings, the richest and most flavorful foods,as I remember the vast amounts of His blessings to me. He offers bountiful, abundant blessings far beyond what I could ever ask or imagine and lays them out before me because He loves me. Not because I deserve it, but because He longs to lavish His love on me, His child. So, I offer these feasts , these lights , these trimmings of color and sparkle to those I love because I am celebrating this amazing baby, this King, this royal Prince of Peace. He entered our world humbly , but I must never forget the splendor and majesty of who He is. So now, every year, in the midst of the frantic preparations and lists and shopping and busyness, I will stop and remember, as I decorate, why I do what I do. And then, I will sparkle, so all those around me will know that the King of Kings, the Prince of Peace, has come to save a lost and hurting world. Emmanuel…God with Us…Joy to the World, the Lord has come!
By Ruth Schick - Pastor's Wife, Mom & Worship Leader at www.ridge.tv
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