A Christmas Story for my friends

Hello friend, I’ve been trying to snag time to write to this sweet community all season long, and well, I guess you see how that turned out! I could detail all the Christmas doings that have kept me from it, but I know you’ve been in the same throes of activity. And I feel sure if you’re stealing a few minutes to read these words, that’s about how much time you have, a hot minute. Right? Besides, I’d rather use our time together to make much of Immanuel, God with Us.

I was blessed to speak at my home church this morning and it’s that message I’d like to share with you. I began by reading a little book I wrote many years ago, beginning with the dedication,

This book is dedicated to Jessica and Phillip and the memories of

all our Christmas mornings. Time is moving along so fast.

Before long you’ll be sharing the holidays with families of your own.

I pray that in all your future celebrations, the birth of the Immanuel will shine center stage.

This morning as I read those words, I could see our son, Phillip sitting in in the congregation with his wife, Carey, and their four kids.

Side story? It involves that sweet boy in the front, and you may want to grab a tissue…The beloved farmer and I have something we always do if he is in the audience when I’m speaking. At some point during worship he’ll pull me close and pray over me under his breath. Phil and I did that again this morning. And then, during the last worship song, I felt the Lord move me to do something new. Our grandson Weston was sitting on my right. I whispered to ten-year-old Weston that I’d love for him to put his hand on my back and ask the Lord to help me say what He wanted said. Weston quickly complied. I cried. And I believe the Lord had His way in the message. But, I’m getting ahead of myself.

Our daughter, Jessica, and her family will be in after Christmas this year, so she wasn’t there in person this morning but she flashed before my eyes all the same. I could see both of our children’s long ago faces as plain as day. I remembered writing the little book I was about to read to help Jessica and Phillip hold onto the true meaning of Christmas. The book is titled, ‘Twas the Night before the Very First Christmas. In it I used the recognizable cadence of Clement Clark Moore’s beloved classic to tell the story of Immanuel. That little book is out of print now. (I intend to do something about that before another year rolls around), but I read it to my church this morning and I’d like to share the prose with you. The Christmas passage from Luke comes first. You’ll find the words I penned below it:

And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flocks by night. And, lo, the Angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them, and they were so afraid. And the Angel said unto them, “Fear not! For behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which should be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior which is Christ the Lord. And this should be a sign to you. You will find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes lying in a manger. Luke 2: 8-12 

 

‘Twas the night before the very first Christmas

and all through the universe,

not an Angel was singing,

not even one verse.

The stars were hung in the sky all aglow,

in hopes of that soon to be great stellar show.

Some shepherds sat watching their flocks late that eve,

snuggled deep in their robes since the day took its leave.

And God, seated high in the heavens above,

was planning a gift from his infinite love.

When way up in the sky, a great star came to shine,

and the shepherd fell back from the wondrous sign.

For there in the heavens, came the angels to sing

of the birth of the Christ, the prophesied King.

With a great star to guide them the shepherds took flight

to find the small child on this holiest of nights.

Above a stable the star came to rest,

and the shepherds bowed low and offered their best.

For there in the Manger with hay for bed

Immanuel lay sleeping as the Angel had said.

Their wonder grew as his guests came to see

three wise men worshipping also on bended knee.

Gifts they had lain at the infant’s feet,

frankincense, myrrh, and perfume so sweet.

Joseph, the father, and Mary his mate,

beheld it all marveling at their chosen fate.

His mouth, so tiny was drawn up like a bow,

and his skin was as soft as new fallen snow.

His message for men the angels did say

was peace on earth and glory to stay.

As the animals looked on and the world stood still

God smiled at this scene and spread his goodwill.

To all men below, BEHOLD THE LIGHT!

Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night.

Friend, you and I live in the reality of life between the two advents of Christ. All isn’t calm and bright in our world. You know this as well as I do. And it won’t be, not until Christ’s final advent when He returns as the victorious One to set all things right. But, oh, my friend. Let’s lay hold of the promise of Christmas! His first coming secured for us the reality of having Immanuel with us in this weary world as we wait. God with Us.

Immanuel, God with us, is why we can face the tribulations of this weary world with a hope that does not disappoint.

“Through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand; and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. And not only this, but we also glory in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance, and perseverance character, and character hope. Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.” Romans 5: 2-5

Immanuel, God with us, is why we can live with a hope that abounds.

“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” Romans 15:13,

Immanuel, God with us, is why we can know a hope that isn’t a one-time thrill but a daily feast.

“To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.” Colossians 1: 27

Our challenge, yours and mine, is to grasp the truth that these promises are all realized in the Presence, the Person, of Immanuel. We do not have them stored in us, apart from Him! When we’re lukewarm and our hope is shaky, we can tell Immanuel what He already knows! We can ask Him to help us love Him above everything else we’re reaching for, above all the empty hopes that are grasping for our attention.

When we’re struggling and we find ourselves reaching around us again, when we’re feeling hard pressed and less than again, like we’re not quite measuring up in our love and devotion to Him— again— we can ask Immanuel to heal us and fill us, again. And we will need help again. We might surprise ourselves again by our waywardness, but we won’t surprise our God. Our brokenness brought Him to this earth.

Let’s bend to Holy Spirit and trust the finished work of Christ. Let’s nourish ourselves in the living words of God. Without a diet of His supernatural otherworldly book we will starve the love He put in us. Immanuel is the manna in the wildness the Israelites were told to gather daily. He is manna freely given, morning by morning, and we’re invited to enjoy Him forever. And the very best news that never gets old? Whatever you know of Immanuel, whatever I know of Immanuel, there is always, always more. Merry Christmas!

Hugs, Shellie