all about Jesus...
The Christmas story. What kid, who has somewhat grown up in the church, hasn't heard the Christmas story of the shepherds watching their sheep by night, the magi travelling from afar bringing gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh, the angels proclaiming the good news and peace on earth...
It's a great story, even if we stick to those parts...
But there's more...so much more...
I met with Mark Puett this past week as we teamed up to prepare our lessons (props to Amy Rasmussen and Surf City for the model). Mark lit a fire under me and we started to talk about why this night was such a big deal.
For thousands of years, since Genesis chapter 3, the people of God had been waiting for their Messiah (expected deliverer), for Immanuel (God with us). Imaging waiting that long for something that you not only want, but desperately need.
That night, the night the Word became flesh, had been anticipated for. People had waiting and waited for their Christ to arrive. Their's was a life without Jesus, without an ambassador to the Father.
We are so spoiled. We have always had Jesus. We have always lived in a world where the veil is torn.
What are we anticipating? What "big night" are we waiting for?
The Jews played the waiting game, waiting for their savior to come and free them. We wait for his return, but we don't play the waiting game. We do not sit idle, looking at the sky, wondering when he will return. We keep busy. We "never tire of doing what is right" (2 Thess 3:13). We "go and make disciples of all nations" (Matt 28:19).
I'm anticipating the harvest. We work the fields with diligence. We prepare, we pray, we invite, we pray, we minister and we pray. We sow the seeds into the hearts of the people and hope that the soil is good.
I'm anticipating the harvest.
It's a great story, even if we stick to those parts...
But there's more...so much more...
I met with Mark Puett this past week as we teamed up to prepare our lessons (props to Amy Rasmussen and Surf City for the model). Mark lit a fire under me and we started to talk about why this night was such a big deal.
For thousands of years, since Genesis chapter 3, the people of God had been waiting for their Messiah (expected deliverer), for Immanuel (God with us). Imaging waiting that long for something that you not only want, but desperately need.
That night, the night the Word became flesh, had been anticipated for. People had waiting and waited for their Christ to arrive. Their's was a life without Jesus, without an ambassador to the Father.
We are so spoiled. We have always had Jesus. We have always lived in a world where the veil is torn.
What are we anticipating? What "big night" are we waiting for?
The Jews played the waiting game, waiting for their savior to come and free them. We wait for his return, but we don't play the waiting game. We do not sit idle, looking at the sky, wondering when he will return. We keep busy. We "never tire of doing what is right" (2 Thess 3:13). We "go and make disciples of all nations" (Matt 28:19).
I'm anticipating the harvest. We work the fields with diligence. We prepare, we pray, we invite, we pray, we minister and we pray. We sow the seeds into the hearts of the people and hope that the soil is good.
I'm anticipating the harvest.
1 Comments:
I enjoyed reading these thoughts of yours. It really is amazing to think back to the day when the expectancy was fulfilled and all their hopes culminated into one night! Or rather, one life. We really are so blessed to not have to wait any longer. We really don't know what it is to feel that feeling of waiting. If you do want to get a glimpse of how it feels, look for a synogogue in your area. The Jews are still waiting.
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