Familiar words filled the room as we gathered around the birthday cake to hear the story once again. These are words so familiar, that I know them all by heart. I could have told the story myself. Actually, anyone of us in the room that night could have recounted this story from memory, I’m sure. We have heard this story our whole lives, even from before we could speak ourselves, I venture to say.

Well, now I must clarify that “our whole lives” is saying something quite different for each one in the room this night. You see, four generations were gathered together to share the story and to celebrate this occasion. Ranging in age from ninety-two to two years of age, hearing the story one’s whole life takes on a different perspective depending on the age of the hearer.

And yet – and here’s the remarkable thing – this story – this age old story, is fresh and new and full of wonder every time it is told, every time it is heard, whether the hearer is two or ninety-two. It’s not like there’s a surprise ending or last-minute plot twist or anything unexpected like that. The story never changes. And yet its power and pull never diminishes with time but always accomplishes God’s purpose with each telling and retelling of this sacred story.

“so is My word that goes out from My mouth: It will not return to Me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.” (Isaiah 55:11)

And so we all listened to the story of the birth of the Messiah, as my Aunt (the ninety-two year old) told it with us gathered around the “Happy Birthday Jesus” birthday cake while she read the Christmas story to her children, my children, her grandchildren and her great-grandchildren. With the familiarity of the words comes comfort and peace, then awe at the orchestration of the events, marvel at the mystery and the miracle that is the Christmas story, joy at the arrival of our Savior and hope with the realization of why He came here.

Comfort, peace, awe, a marvelous, miraculous mystery unfolding, bringing joy and hope, light and life – all this is contained in the telling of the Christmas story. And what a story it is! It is full of mystery for one thing – just how does the Word become flesh? And how does a virgin conceive a child? And miracles – it is a story filled with miracles. Angels talking to shepherds and to Mary and to Joseph and a mysterious star appearing, leading the Wise Kings. Prophesies coming true and angels singing. It is a story that never gets old. (even though we do)

As I listened to my Aunt tell the story this night, I realized that no matter how old I get, I never outgrow the Christmas story. It remains relevant, it remains riveting. It is the story of the greatest miracle of all time, that God loved us enough to send us His Son, Jesus, even though we did not love Him and in fact, had turned our backs on Him.

“But God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8)

“For to us a child is born, to us a Son is given, . . . And He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. . . . The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us. We have seen His glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.” (Isaiah 9:6 & John 1:14)

The story of this miracle, the Christmas story, is a story filled with courageous people. Each person called to be a part of this Christmas story was courageous and obedient to carry out their part in history’s greatest happening. Take Joseph, for example,

“Because Joseph her husband was a righteous man and did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly. But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, ‘Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because He will save His people from their sins.’ ” (Matthew 1:19-21)

Mary also courageously obeyed after having this conversation with the angel –

” ‘How will this be,’ Mary asked the angel, ‘since I am a virgin?’ The angel answered, ‘The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God. . . . For nothing is impossible with God.’ ‘I am the Lord’s servant,’ Mary answered. ‘May it be to me as you have said.’ Then the angel left her.” (Luke 1:34-38)

The shepherds showed courage in the face of their fear. Consider their part in this story –

“And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified.” (did you catch that? – they weren’t just scared, they were terrified) However, the story continues –

“But the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; He is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.’ Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, ‘Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom His favor rests.’ ” (Luke 2:8-14)

“So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen Him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them.” (Luke 2:16-18)

The shepherds had the courage to do as the angel said and they found the baby Jesus, who is the Savior, who is Christ the Lord, just as the angel told them they would. Then the shepherds courageously spread the word about what they had seen and heard. They were the first tellers of the Christmas story and even then this story was received with amazement.

It is a story we are still telling today. A story of a loving God keeping His promise to a rebellious, sinful nation of people. Consider Simeon’s part in this story. Simeon was a member of the nation to whom God had promised a Redeemer. Simeon believed God and had been waiting faithfully to see this miracle take place in his lifetime. We read his part of the story in Luke –

“Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. Moved by the Spirit, he went into the temple courts. When the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for Him what the custom of the Law required, Simeon took Him in his arms and praised God, saying: ‘Sovereign Lord, as You have promised, You now dismiss Your servant in peace. For my eyes have seen Your salvation, which You have prepared in the sight of all people, a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to Your people Israel.’ ” (Luke 2:25-32)

Simeon understood that the Christmas story is the story of a long awaited miracle. After the shepherds’ visit, the drama continues with the appearance of three Wise Men on the scene.

” . . . Magi from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, ‘Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw His star in the east and have come to worship Him.’ ” (Matthew 2:1-2)

So much intrigue and mystery in this part of the story. Who are these Magi? Why have they left their homes to follow a star? Why do they believe that this baby born in a stable to poor parents is a king, that they should worship Him and bring Him expensive gifts? We don’t know their backstory, but we know what they did.

” . . . they went on their way, and the star they had seen in the east went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. On coming to the house, they saw the child with His mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped Him. Then they opened their treasures and presented Him with gifts of gold and of incense and of myrrh.” (Matthew 2:9-11)

Here the story of Jesus birth draws to a close leaving the shepherds back with their flocks, filled with wonder at all they had experienced, including the angel’s visit and the serenade they received from the heavenly host filling the sky and praising God, and the Wise Men ready to return to their distant lands. As my Aunt finished the story of the first Christmas, I realized this is really just the beginning of the journey. This story starts with a baby in a manger, it passes through Calvary’s cross and ends with victory in an empty tomb!

Turns out, the Christmas story is the story told in John 3:16 –

“For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.”

sincerely, Grace Day

Today I have been pondering the gifts I didn’t give rather than those I didn’t get. (gifts not gotten was yesterday’s post) And I have to admit – I have missed the mark when it comes to gifts given. Even with the example of the Wise King’s gift giving before me, I don’t measure up. I can learn, however, from the Master Gift Giver, my Heavenly Father. He definitely showed us amateurs how it’s done when He gave us Jesus, His only Son, that first Christmas night so long ago.

“For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16) But God’s gifts to us don’t end there.

“If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare His own Son, but gave Him up for us all – how will He not also, along with Him, graciously give us all things?” (Romans 8:31-32)

“Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.” (James 1:17)

So that’s how it’s done – every gift good, every gift perfect. I can’t possibly live up to that, it is much too high a standard. Besides I don’t have all that much that I am able to give many gifts anyway. And yet in Matthew 10:8 I am reminded,

“Freely you have received, freely give.”

What have I neglected to give to others this Advent season? What are the gifts I didn’t give? Forgiveness comes first to mind. Forgiveness is a gift I can give to anyone, to everyone, even to those who don’t ask for such a gift. What regret I feel, if have have forgotten to give the gift of forgiveness to anyone this Advent season.

“Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” (Ephesians 4:32)

Which reminds me that kindness and compassion are two more gifts that I could have given more often and to more people. These two gifts are always well received because each one of us so desperately desires to receive kindness and compassion from others. Now that I think about it, there are so many gifts I could have given without worrying that they would not be wanted, welcomed or appreciated. (no wrong sizes, colors, brands, or just the wrong item itself) I could have given the gifts of understanding, a word of encouragement to a coworker, a listening ear to a friend, my time, my attention, a helping hand to someone in need, sympathy to the mourning, an invitation to inclusion to the uninvited, – these are all gifts I possess because they have been given to me in abundance by my Heavenly Father.

I could have given more gifts of grace and mercy to those around me. Each one of us longs to be the recipient of gifts such as grace and mercy. Why would I not give these as gifts when I have an unlimited supply from my Heavenly Father who showers me every day with forgiveness, grace and mercy? I will not run out because my Heavenly Father’s supply of these things is infinite.

“Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is Your (His) faithfulness.” (Lamentations 3:22-23)

Why did I not give out more gifts of grace and mercy and compassion and forgiveness than I did? My regret today, is not the gifts I got nor the gifts I gave, but it is the gifts I didn’t give – gifts that are in my possession and power to give. May I never hold back giving the gifts my Heavenly Father has given me, but freely give as He has freely given to me all things, when He gave me the gift of His Son, Jesus.

“His divine power has given us (me) everything we (I) need for life and godliness through our (my ) knowledge of Him who called us (me) by His own glory and goodness.” (2 Peter 1:3)

my Heavenly Father has given me everything I need to live this life – let me not neglect to give gifts to others – out of the abundance God has given me, let me give as He gives –

“Yet the Lord longs to be gracious to you; He rises to show you compassion. For the Lord is a God of justice. Blessed are all who wait for Him!” (Isaiah 30:18)

sincerely, Grace Day

If it is going to happen, this is the day when it does – the day after Christmas. What am I talking about? I’m talking about post Advent blues. It is the let-down we experience when all the gifts have been opened, all the special food (including Christmas cookies) eaten, all the guests have gone, and we are left with wrapping paper and ribbon strewn across the floor and empty spaces which only yesterday were filled with family and friends, shown up for the purpose of celebrating the adventful day we call Christmas.

It is in this post Advent quiet that my focus turns unbidden to what I didn’t receive this Christmas, that I had been hoping to receive. I had been so busy enjoying the blessings of family and friends that truthfully, I noticed no lack at the time. But now, with time to compare others’ holiday happenings with my own, I become convinced that I have a lack rather than an abundance.

How quickly this happens! I shift my gaze from thankfulness for what I’ve been given to resentfulness over what I perceive as my lack. In so doing, I miss all the joy that is mine in these moments of abundance. As I sat in the sanctuary surrounded by Christmas lights and Christmas carols, I thought of loved ones I was missing. Some due to death, some due to distance – but their presence is missed just the same.

I feel their absence even as I eagerly expect that magical gift that will change my life – if only I knew what it was – if only someone would give me such a gift this Christmas, so I don’t have to spend another year waiting for someone to give me the ultimate gift – the gift that will fulfill me and make all my dreams come true.

What did I not get this Christmas that has left me as empty as the now unwrapped boxes that only yesterday held gifts unknown, full of mystery, suspense and promise? I was hoping for what? – things that don’t come in boxes because they can’t be bought? Reconciliation with a loved one? Picture perfect kodak moments? Time with those who are precious to me? Memories of Christmases past that cannot be recreated? Those things others possess that have eluded me?

When I am looking at what I lack, I am not focused on all the good gifts of God that fill my life to overflowing every day. And they are many, too numerous to count.

“Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.” (James 1:17)

The gifts of Advent, peace, joy, hope and love are all mine in abundance. The gift that will change my life forever, fulfill me and never leave me empty, (nor never leave me) has been given in Jesus, God’s gift to me and to the world. Wrapped in swaddling cloths, this gift, once unwrapped turns out to be the gift of forgiveness for my sins and of eternal life with my Heavenly Father. No empty boxes left to leave me feeling as empty as they are, only an empty tomb – which leaves me filled with joy, peace, love and hope. Hope because the tomb is empty. And because the tomb is empty, you and I can be filled with joy that our Savior lives and the hope that He is coming again to get us, so that we can be with Him for eternity.

“Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in Me. In My Father’s house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with Me that you also may be where I am.” (John 14:1-3)

There may be many gifts I didn’t get this Christmas – gifts that I thought would make my life better if I received them. But as I reflect on the disappointment of earthly gifts which never live up to their promise, I rejoice in the gift of Christmas that does not disappoint in the least but exceeds expectations in every way. Thank you, Heavenly Father, for sending us Jesus.

“Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us, to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.” (Ephesians 3:20)

“Then you will know that I am the Lord; those who hope in Me will not be disappointed.” (Isaiah 49:23)

Jesus – more than I could ever ask or imagine – the One who does not disappoint – the One who holds my hope

sincerely, Grace Day

Merry Christmas world! The gift has been given. The gift has been delivered – both literally and figuratively – (pun apparent) “wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger” – the gift of Advent has arrived! Time to unwrap the gift and invite Him in. Hopefully, your preparations are complete and you have made room in your home, in your heart and in your life for the Christ Child, God’s only Son, – the One who came to rescue, redeem, reconcile and restore me and you to our Creator and to who we were intended to be all along.

So rejoice and be glad – the Lord has come.

“An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; He is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.’ ” (Luke 2:9-12)

“For to us a child is born, to us a Son is given, and the government will be on His shoulders. And He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of His government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over His kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the Lord Almighty will accomplish this.” (Isaiah 9:6-7)

Today I will tear down existing walls, throw open the door and welcome Him in.

“Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with Me.” (Revelation 3:20)

He is here! The Savior has come!

“Lift up your heads, O you gates; be lifted up, you ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in. Who is this King of glory? The Lord strong and mighty, the Lord mighty in battle. Lift up your heads, O you gates; lift them up, you ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in. Who is He, this King of glory? The Lord almighty – He is the King of glory.” (Psalm 24:7-10)

Good News, great joy, peace, love, hope have arrived – for all the people – (Luke 2:10) – for me and for you, dear readers – for all the people!

Merry Christmas world! the light has come!

“The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned.” (Isaiah 9:2)

joy to the world! the Light has come!

sincerely, Grace Day

The sun was shining, but she was not sharing her warmth with earth on this December morning. She lured me out under false pretenses, shining brightly, promising warmth, delivering none. So I was in my car headed to the gym to walk the indoor track when I saw her. There is no mistaking my friend, the faithful, all-weather walker. Even bundled from head to toe, with no face showing, it was her, for sure! Maybe the pink shoes gave it away?

But who else would be out on this bitingly cold winter morning? None but the most committed, the fearless, the few, the faithful. I was re-inspired as I, in my warm car with heated seats, passed by my friend as she bravely battled the elements. (ok, maybe that’s a little dramatic in that the cold was the only element, no wind, no snow, no hail, etc. and my friend did not look distressed – she had chosen this challenge – she chooses it everyday.)

The consistency of my friend is a reminder to me that I need to keep showing up everyday, day after day, to the things I am called to do, even if they are hard or inconvenient or don’t seem to be making a difference. Their impact may not be apparent until a later time. My part is to show up and keep on showing up, because if I don’t show up – I am giving up. My friend, the all-weather walker, always shows up. She inspires me to do the same.

This Advent season I am reminded of God’s faithfulness – how He always shows up at just the right time.

“But when the time had fully come, God sent His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those under law, that we might receive the full rights of sons.” (Galatians 4:4-5)

“When the time had fully come,” means that Jesus was born in Bethlehem at just the right time in human history. Jesus’s birth happened in God’s perfect timing. His death on the cross occurred according to God’s timetable as well.

“You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly.” (Romans 5:6)

This Advent season I am celebrating the fact that God kept His promise and showed up right on time.

“The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned.” (Isaiah 9:2)

“Listen! Your watchmen lift up their voices; together they shout for joy. When the Lord returns to Zion, they will see it with their own eyes. Burst into songs of joy together, you ruins of Jerusalem, for the Lord has comforted His people, He has redeemed Jerusalem.” (Isaiah 52:8-9)

When Jesus showed up, good things happened. “The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy ae cured, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is preached to the poor.” (Matthew 11:5)

Jesus’s birth marked the Advent of a new day. The world would never be the same again. Jesus showed up right on time as He always does. When He comes again, it will be at just the right time. The world was not ready for Jesus the first time. Will we be ready for Him when He returns? Even as I prepare now to celebrate the memory of Jesus’s first Advent, I want to be faithfully, showing up each day in preparation for His second coming, the Advent still to come. I want to be ready to welcome Him in – having taken down all barriers and completely cleared space for Him to come in and make His home. After all, Jesus said,

“Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with Me.” (Revelation 4:20)

“Lift up your heads, O you gates; be lifted up, you ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in. Who is this King of glory? The Lord strong and mighty, the Lord mighty in battle. Lift up your heads, O you gates; lift them up, you ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in. Who is He, this King of glory? The Lord Almighty – He is the King of glory.” (Psalm 24:7-10)

sincerely, Grace Day

They sat in church, side by side, my friend and her husband. Nothing remarkable in that, you might say. But you would be wrong. This was a miracle fifty-two years in the making. Some mountains are not so easily moved. However, the faith that had so long eluded my friend’s husband, has been her firm foundation these many years. I dare to say, she has more than a mustard seed of faith, and it has sustained her these many years.

For fifty-two years she has faithfully prayed for her husband while attending church alone. She never lost her faith and she never gave up hope that he would find his. I could not believe my eyes when I saw them together, singing, worshiping, praying along with the rest of us. My heart is overjoyed for my friend. Her prayer, for the deepest desire of her heart, has been answered! A once immovable mountain has been moved because with God all things are possible.

She never gave up hope. She never gave up on her husband, just like God never gives up on me or on you, dear readers. God moved mountains and made a way for us to know Him when He sent Jesus to us that first Christmas. The people of Israel had waited so long that they may have given up hope and stopped looking for their promised Messiah. But God said,

“I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland.” (Isaiah 43:19)

God had a plan all along. He made a way where there had been no way, He moved mountains and opened the door to relationship with Him once again when He became flesh and made His dwelling among us. Then we saw His glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. He did all this through Jesus.

“Jesus answered, ‘I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” (John 14:6) We are told more about this “way” in Hebrews 10:19-23, where we read,

“Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, His body, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for He who promised is faithful.”

Jesus is that new and living way that God gave to us, the first gift of Christmas. “For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son” – God’s love found a way, God’s love made a way, God’s love is the way back to Him. The mountain moving miracle of Advent has come. God moved heaven and earth to enter into our lives here on earth. He did it once and He has promised to do it again. The hope of the first Advent has been realized. The hope of the second Advent remains as an anchor for our souls. (Hebrews 6:19)

Sometimes I fear that the mountains in my life may never be moved. There seems to be no way that I can see – probably because those mountains are blocking my view. But those mountains in my life are not blocking God’s view at all. He will move them when the time is right. My hope is in Him. I think of my friend’s steadfast faith, faithfully praying and hoping for fifty-two years. Others would have given up but she didn’t. Her hope is in God and He moved the mountains standing in the way of her husband’s faith. He made a way for her husband just as He makes a way for each one of us to come to Him.

The hope of Advent – our miracle working, mountain moving God. He came! He is coming again! Let us not lose hope. Mountains will again be moved!

“In the desert prepare the way for the Lord, make straight in the wilderness a highway for our God. Every valley shall be raised up, every mountain and hill made low; the rough ground shall become level, the rugged places a plain. And the glory of the Lord will be revealed, and all mankind together will see it. For the mouth of the Lord has spoken.” (Isaiah 40:3-5)

sincerely, Grace Day

Who is this baby in the manger, that He makes the angels sing?

Who is this baby in the manger, that for Him the heavens ring?

Who is this baby in the manger, that Wise Kings leave their home?

that shepherds shout “hosanna – the King is on His throne!”

Who is this baby in the manger, that the world should rejoice His birth?

Who is this baby in the manger, that He brings His peace to earth?

Who is this baby in the manger, that He fills the world with His love?

He’s the Holy King, the Prince of Peace, He’s the Son of God above!

His reign shall be forever, His kingdom know no end,

He will come in power and glory, when He comes to earth again.

Now I know the baby in the manger, and I know why the angels sing –

They sing because the babe in the manger, is Jesus, our long-awaited King!

“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on His shoulders. And He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. O the increase of His government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over His kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the Lord Almighty will accomplish this.” (Isaiah 9:6-7)

sincerely, Grace Day

Advent is the season of miracles. And oh how many of us are longing for a miracle right about now? It has been a tough couple of years and we are weary and waiting – not unlike the people were when Jesus was born. They had been waiting long for their promised miracle, and they were weary with the wait. Oppressed by a tyrannical king, Caesar, they longed for Someone to set them free. However, when that long awaited Deliverer arrived, they did not recognize that the miracle they had prayed for, was now in their midst. And because they did not recognize Him, they did not welcome Him, they did not make room for Him.

“He came to that which was His own, but His own did not receive Him.” (John 1:11)

Today I have to ask myself if I am ready to recognize and to receive the Advent miracles God is giving me this Christmas. Or am I failing to recognize the miracles made possible by just a mustard seed of faith? I don’t want to miss out on any of Advent’s miracles, starting with the miracle of reconciliation. Reconciliation is always a miracle because it requires heart change. And heart change is always a miracle.

We have been hopelessly separated from our Creator God by a chasm too great for us to navigate ever since Adam and Eve chose the serpent’s lie over God’s truth. It will take nothing short of a miracle for anyone of us to be reconciled to God. But God will have to be the maker of the miracle, the supplier of the solution, because there is nothing we can do in our own power to cross this chasm or to eliminate it.

And that’s just what God did – He became the maker of the miracle of Advent that would save our eternal souls. We couldn’t find our way back to Him, so He came to us and made His home with us for a little while, so that He could show us the way to reconciliation and relationship with Him. In Paul’s letter to the Ephesians, he explains it this way –

“But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near through the blood of Christ. For He Himself is our peace, who has made the two one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility, by abolishing in His flesh the law with its commandments and regulations. His purpose was to create in Himself one new man out of the two, thus making peace, and in this one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross, by which He put to death their hostility. He came and preached peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were near. For through Him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit.” (Ephesians 2:13-18)

Did you notice how many times peace was mentioned? Peace is the result of reconciliation. When we are reconciled to God and to one another we experience peace. It is said that “charity begins at home.” Well, that is true for reconciliation also, as it is with all things actually, they must begin at home. How many of us long for the miracle of reconciliation within our families this Advent season? We want to see those mountains moved. If only we could find that mustard seed of faith! And something else –

Forgiveness. Forgiveness forges the road to reconciliation. Forgiveness is the prerequisite, it always precedes reconciliation. Without forgiveness, reconciliation doesn’t happen. Forgiveness is the foundation for the miracle to take place. How many are praying for reconciliation with loved ones this Advent season? We want to see walls come tumbling down just like they did in Jericho many millennia ago. That event was a major miracle, attributable only to the work of Almighty God. Repaired relationships are no less of a miracle and no less a work of God.

God reconciled us to Himself that first Christmas when He sent Jesus to us to be our peace. I pray we can each experience this miracle of reconciliation and the peace that comes with it, this Advent season. This world is in dire need of peace right now, but then perhaps in every age that has been the case. I pray the reconciliation that starts in homes will spread to neighborhoods, then to cities, then to countries – bringing peace around the world, just as the shepherds announced on the first Christmas –

“Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom His favor rests.” (Luke 2:14) God made the first move when He sent us Jesus.

“All this is from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; that God was reconciling the world to Himself in Christ, not counting men’s sins against them. And He has committed to us the message of reconciliation.” (2 Corinthians 5:18-19)

Not counting my sins against me? That’s the forgiveness that allows me to be reconciled to my Creator. That same forgiveness allows me to be reconciled to others. And that reconciliation brings me such peace! Truly a miracle! Let the forgiveness I find in the arrival of the Christ Child fill my heart, let it fill every heart, tearing down long standing walls, making a way for reconciliation to enter in, bringing restoration of relationships and peace. Oh, how we long for peace! How we long to hear from long-lost loved ones! How those empty spaces in our hearts long to be filled by their presence! This day, in this season of Advent, I hold these words of Jesus close,

“Peace I leave with you; My peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” (John 14:27)

the Prince of Peace will fill my heart today, if I will but let Him in –

“Lift up your heads, O you gates; be lifted up, you ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in. Who is this King of glory? The Lord strong and mighty, the Lord mighty in battle. Lift up your heads, O you gates; lift them up, you ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in. Who is He, this King of glory? The Lord Almighty – He is the King of glory.” (Psalm 24:7-10)

sincerely, Grace Day

I exhaled slowly and let myself enjoy this rare moment of unexpected quiet in my classroom. All the students were seated and self-engaged, whether with their schoolwork or with their phones – but either way the result was a quiet room – an anomaly in a high school for sure. The class had not started off this way though. There had been a big commotion in the hallway outside the classroom due to a fight. Consequently, the students who entered the room were riled up and ready to continue the mayhem, or at least to continue discussing it loudly. This made the quiet I was now experiencing all the more surprising. It must be a Christmas miracle!

No sooner had I given thanks (silently of course) for the peaceful, quiet atmosphere of the classroom than another student entered the room and the spell was broken. He was loud, said everything he thought in a really loud voice and the other students responded to his remarks in equally loud voices. He was out of his seat and soon other students followed suite, leaving their seats to wander the room. It was a completely different room than the one this student had walked into only minutes earlier. I watched the transformation take place before my eyes, noting what a difference one person’s presence can make. This student had interrupted the classroom’s calm by bringing his chaos into it when he made his appearance. The classroom never did return to its previously quiet state. It was permanently altered. I was glad when the bell rang, dismissing the students.

Yes, one person’s presence can make such a difference that people are forever changed. When that person is Jesus, the difference is dramatic, life changing, life giving and permanent. Jesus’s birth interrupted this world in such a big way that things here have never been the same since He made His appearance. Time was torn in two when Jesus entered into our physical realm and into our history. And Time is not the only thing that has been torn in two because of Jesus.

“With a loud cry, Jesus breathed His last. The curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. And when the centurion, who stood there in front of Jesus, heard His cry and saw how He died, he said, ‘Surely this man was the Son of God!’ ” (Mark 15:37-39)

The tearing of the temple curtain took down the barrier that separated a Holy God from sinful man. Jesus came to make a way for us to be reconciled to our Creator, God. And as it turns out, Jesus is that way. “Jesus answered, ‘I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.’ ” (John 14:6) But now, we do have access to the Father through Jesus! Consider what Hebrews says,

“Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the Blood of Jesus, by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, His body, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water.” (Hebrews 10:19-22)

Jesus came to be that “new and living way through the curtain” to God, for each of us. With the Advent of Jesus arrival on that first Christmas so long ago, things here on earth have been forever changed. Jesus brought life and light into the world. John tells us,

“The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us. We have seen His glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.” (John 1:14)

Jesus’s presence brings a glimpse of God’s glory to earth for all to see. There was a man named Simeon who waited long for just such a look at God’ glory, revealed through His promised Messiah. Simeon’s faithfulness in waiting was rewarded when he beheld the baby Jesus with His parents in the temple courts. This was his reaction,

“Simeon took Him (Jesus) in his arms and praised God, saying: ‘Sovereign Lord, as You have promised, You now dismiss Your servant in peace. For my eyes have seen Your salvation, which You have prepared in the sight of all people, a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to Your people Israel.” (Luke 2:28-32)

Simeon knew that because Jesus had entered the room so to speak, human history would be forever altered. His presence is just that powerful. When I invite Jesus into my life, I am changed by His presence. I am inevitably transformed.

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!” (2 Corinthians 5:17)

Some two-thousand years ago, Jesus interrupted human history. Lord, this Advent season I pray You interrupt me, get my attention, transform me and take up residence in my heart.

“Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with Me.” (Revelation 3:20)

time to let the King of glory in!

sincerely, Grace Day

What if Christmas comes and I am not ready? This is the thought uppermost in my mind today – that and the realization that Christmas will come whether I am ready or not. Christmas waits for no one, including me. My mental to do list is long. Gifts are not wrapped (probably because they have not yet been purchased) decorating is not done, and space still needs to be made to accommodate decorations and guests. There is no tree and there are no cookies. Santa may not come if there is no place for him to put the presents and no treats for him to eat.

Maybe admitting to these shortcomings out loud isn’t the best way for me to alleviate my Advent anxiety. Now that I’ve shared the true state of my Advent situation with you, dear readers, it is real and I must deal with it. I liked it better when I could tell myself everything is on track, I have it all under control and it will all get done in time for the big event of Advent.

So why am I thinking of my Heavenly Father’s command to “Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.” (Psalm 46:10) This does not seem like the time for me to be still, as the Psalm says. Instead, I feel like these Advent days of mine should be filled with activity, non-stop activity, either in preparing in order to be ready, or in celebrating with family and friends. I am already suffering from Advent anxiety, being still would only add to that, not eliminate it.

Or would it? True I am surrounded by whirlwinds of activity everywhere I look. Our normally busy lives get even busier during Advent because many extra events and activities are added to our calendars. Advent in our culture is a time to be busier, not a time to be still. And yet – the context of Psalm 46 is interesting because this “be still” command comes after these words,

“Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging. . . . Nations are in uproar, kingdoms fall; He lifts His voice, the earth melts.” (Psalm 46:2-6)

It is amid these circumstances that God’s command to “Be still,” comes to us. It does not seem to me that it would be very easy to be still during such chaos as is described in this Psalm. I think in such circumstances I would be in fight or flight mode, but definitely not in be still mode. It seems counterintuitive to me. If I am experiencing Advent anxiety, the solution seems obvious to me – get busy and work longer and harder to prepare – not be still.

The first verse of this Psalm says, “God is our (my) refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore I will not fear,” (Psalm 46:1) My Heavenly Father does not want me to be fearful or anxious. He wants me to know that He is my refuge, my strength and my ever-present help. But I cannot know this and experience this unless I take Him up on His offer to “Be still, and know that He is God.”

My being still allows me to know God. It is in the being still that the knowing takes place, and it is in the knowing that I discover the character of my Creator and learn that I can trust Him with my anxiety, Advent or otherwise. God wants me to know Him. He actually invites me to know Him. “Be still, and know that I am God.” This is an invitation I want to accept. I have the opportunity to know God! When I take the time to be still in obedience, God will meet with me there in the stillness.

As I come to know God as my refuge, my strength and my ever-present help in trouble, my anxiety is replaced with His peace, one of the many gifts His presence brings. Peace is a gift of the Advent season, along with hope, joy and love. Today, I will choose to be still and receive this gift from my Heavenly Father. Jesus said,

“Peace I leave with you; My peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” (John 14:27)

How fitting that on the night of Jesus’s birth the angels proclaimed,

“Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom His favor rests.” (Luke 2:14)

“And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:7)

may it be so for you this Advent season,

sincerely, Grace Day