The Month Between

"I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you will know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, and what is the surpassing greatness of His power toward us who believe." 

Ephesians 1:18-19

Christmas is now 11 months away (I heard that sigh!). 

When I was a little girl, Christmas always seemed to be 11 months away, until Thanksgiving, when the promise of Christmas began fulfilling itself.  Lists, lights popping on here and there in the city, gifts displayed behind glass store windows, and  televised Christmas specials all pointed to nail-biting arrival of Christmas.  Finally, about a week before Christmas the tree went up and our hopes soared that the day was really, truly and finally arriving.

All this Spirit of the Season began in earnest at Thanksgiving, launched at a dinner table stacked high with our favorite foods and encircled by familiar faces.  Our gratitude for God's blessings opened the gate to the true Spirit of Christmas, the blessings of giving and receiving.  The month between Thanksgiving and Christmas was filled with giving to charities, missions, and to families who had less than we did.  

Then, in the blink it took for one year to transform into a new one, January hit like an Arctic blast of reality until February brought the warm fuzzies of Valentine's day. 

Christ's return is closer than ever before, although it may seem like ages away.  We're living in the month between Thanksgiving and His return.  Today we can choose to look at what we have, not at what we want. Today we can choose to minimize our needs and maximize our blessings; to consider what and how we'll give rather than what we want or need.  Gratitude begets giving and giving begets joy. 

While I've re-stored the holiday decorations in the attic, I'm calling on the "surpassing greatness of His (God's) power"  to leave the joy and generosity of the month between Thanksgiving and Christmas shining in my heart and our home until Christ returns for the greatest gift-opening ceremony of eternity.  I
  

"For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory 

that far outweighs them all. 

So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, 

since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal."

2nd Corinthians 4:17-18

Father, show us how to give like Christ gave, in Your will and power.  Open our eyes to see our "momentary troubles" compared to eternity.  Mold our hearts to be generous.  May we not store Your Spirit with the manger scene. Empower us to let You live through us day by day, moment by moment.   Thank You for every blessing this day has brought and will bring.  Blue skies and sunshine between the gray days - that's what today has brought.  Food in the fridge, health in the body, family in the home or at the other end of the phone call, friends we can depend on, income with which to honor You, love in every direction, opportunities to grow in You, mustard seeds of faith You'll water, and joy in Your Presence wherever we are.  

In the Name of Jesus, our Gift, the Gift above all others!  Come soon, Lord Jesus! 

Ring the Bells of Christmas

"This act in Cana of Galilee was the first sign Jesus gave,
the first glimpse of His glory.
And His disciples believed in Him." 
John 2:11

Tuesday night, we ventured out on one of our traditional family outings: driving through Chick-fil-A for peppermint chocolate chip milkshakes all 'round before hunting for Christmas lights.  We found the house we were looking for, parked, tuned in on the radio, sat back, and enjoyed the 10-15 minute synchronized light show. It was spectacular - ranging from mellow "Silent Night" to the rockin' Transiberian Orchestra version of the "Nutcracker Suite."  As impressed as we were by the light show, it was through the children's voices quoting the Christmas story from the Gospel of Luke that we heard a glimpse of God's glory. Sweet innocence stumbling through the more difficult words, telling the precious story of another Child.

Wednesday night a mighty wind roared through our area and didn't run out of breath until late afternoon.  Morning revealed bare trees dangling occasional nest knots. Clouds tumbleweeded across the sky. Temperatures dropped to below freezing by nightfall. I believe in the God who uses wind to remind us of His power, His Presence, the transformations He can make over time, over night or in the twinkling of an eye.  Blustery wind, racing clouds, heat and cold, sunstreaks of orange, pink and purple - all glimpses of God's glory.

Thursday night brought more glimpses of God. For three years running, we've enjoyed a new Arkansas Christmas tradition: travelling to Garvan Woodland Gardens to hear the "Hallelujah Handbells" play in Anthony Chapel.

The chapel, constructed of wood and glass, re-decorates itself each season. For Christmas, a bare evergreen, God's creation minus artificial lights and ornaments, rises front and center.  At night, amber-hued lighting soothes and the place calls for reflection and praise.  Seated in back of the crowded chapel, we heard the bells sing, flickering with visual sparks of light, motion, and harmony. 

As our friends rang the bells, something rang true in me: God rings the bells of His glory on a day-to-day basis. Christmas simply provides more opportunities to catch a wider variety of glimpses. 

It's no wonder Satan wants us squabbling and distracted during the holidays (holy days).  Christmas enlightens us when we throw off all that encumbers and blinds us to hearing the bells and catching glimpses of God's glory. When we looked for them in the lights, we also heard them in children's voices. When we felt for them by our fireside, we also found them in inclement weather.  And, when we listened for them in the bells, we also saw them in flashes of light feflecting from the moving bells to the back of the chapel. 

Lord, it is good to praise You.

Most High God, it is good to make music to honor You.

It is good to sing every morning about Your love.
It is good to sing every night about how faithful You are.
I sing about it to the music of the lyre that has ten strings.
I sing about it to the music of the harp.
Lord, You make me glad by what You have done.
I sing with joy about the works of Your hands.
Lord, how great are the things You do!
How wise Your thoughts are!
Psalm 92:1-5

Father, I've been looking for that Christmas feeling while You've been ringing bells, blowing cold and whispering to me in children's voices.  Father, we surrender the need for magic and artificiality we add to Your glory.  Like Peter, we want to build temples when You've already provided the mountaintop.  Open our eyes and ears to Your music and guide us to respond with the music of praise.
In the Name of Jesus, Precious Child, Loving Lamb, Music of Heaven