Tis The Season
Psalm 51:12 "Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit." For the past few weeks I've been struggli...
Psalm 51:12
"Restore to me the joy of your salvation,
and uphold me with a willing spirit."
with what to write for my next blog. I considered the usual: ministry updates,
new spiritual insights, etc. Well here I am on the sixth day of my spring break
and I realize that there is only one thing that's been consistently on my mind
for all of these six days – Christmas. Random, I am well aware of that, but
completely relevant at the same time. So, here as I listen to my "Christmas
Mix" I'll shed a little light on my current state of mind.
After
remaining in South Africa this Christmas season, I've developed a new found
appreciation for the holiday and all of the things that come with it. With the
absence of a winter wonder land, the need for excessive layers, and my amazing
family this Christmas was also lacking in a spirit of true celebration. I
dragged myself through winter break thinking of everything good that I was
missing out on.
Break
came and went and the thoughts of Christmas still occupied my mind in the
months following. As me and my teammates frequently talked about all of the
splendour that was awaiting us next winter, I was pleased with my latest love
for the season. Next Christmas will be unlike any other. I made plans to be
truly "merry", seizing every opportunity to go ice skating, bake cookies, play
Bing Crosby, and read by the fireplace. Sounds magical, right? The plan to do
these things still stands, but should that really be the source of my pleasure,
and what would I do during the summer months that await me?
wrapped up in the joy that these novelties bring, rather than finding the joy
that comes with the birth of Christ. And not just His birth, but also his death
and the fact that that means I get to spend each day in communion with Him.
Should not every day be as warm and treasured as the ones from December? As I
write this I'm reminded of familiar lyrics, "You will get a sentimental feeling
when you hear voices singing let's be jolly, deck the halls with boughs of
holly." Let's try something with different words, ones that will play joy into
your life every day of the year, "You will get a sentimental feeling when you
hear voices singing "For unto you is born this day in the city of David, a
Saviour, Who is Christ the Lord." (Luke 2:11)
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