faith

the joy of comfort

Posted on by Grace Day

Do you ever get tired of living life with a broken heart? I know I do. I walk into this New Year wounded, desperately desiring comfort. Comfort sustains, though it does not heal. Fortunately for me, my Heavenly Father is the God of all comfort. Paul mentions this in his letter to the church in Corinth, saying –

“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God.” (2 Corinthians 1:3-4)

Paul also explains further, saying –

“For just as the sufferings of Christ flow over into our lives, so also through Christ our comfort overflows.” (2 Corinthians 1:5)

That’s what I crave these days – overflowing comfort. Maybe that’s why I picked “comfort” as one of my words for this year? Paul says that God “comforts me in all my troubles.” That promise in God’s word is in itself comforting to me. God’s abiding Presence provides me with comfort despite what my current circumstances might be. Kind David acknowledged as much when he said,

“Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.” (Psalm 23:4)

I too often find myself walking through things and in places I would not choose. During these times, my path is not a comfortable one. On the contrary, it is difficult, scary, painful and even dangerous – kind of like the valley of the shadow of death that David was traveling through in Psalm 23. It is during these parts of my journey that God’s Presence gives me the comfort I need to sustain me. God’s comfort allows me to hope and to have courage, which enables me to keep going even in tough times.

Comfort comes in many ways. During these current days of sub-zero weather, I find comfort in a warm blanket and a cup of hot tea. While my physical comfort can be addressed by adjusting the thermostat or wearing warmer clothes, my emotional and spiritual comfort require something more than comfortable shoes or comfort food. The embrace of a friend, the companionship of kindred spirits, kind words, encouraging words – all these provide much needed comfort when my heart hurts and my spirit sinks beneath the burdens of the day. I think Solomon agrees with me that words can provide much needed comfort because he said this –

“An anxious heart weighs a man down, but a kind word cheers him up.” (Proverbs 12:25)

“A man finds joy in giving an apt reply – and how good is a timely word!” (Proverbs 15:23)

“Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.” (Proverbs 16:24)

God has promised His comfort to me and to you, dear readers, and actually to anyone who desires it. God stands ready to comfort those He has created.

“The Lord is good to all; He has compassion on all He has made.” (Psalm 145:9)

“Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.” (Matthew 5:4)

“The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” (Psalm 34:18)

My Heavenly Father’s Presence is my comfort. And I have His comfort twenty-four/seven because He has said –

“Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” (Hebrews13:5)

Jesus promised His disciples this before He left them –

“But the Comforter, even the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He shall teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I said unto you.” (John 14:26 ASV)

The Holy Spirit is referred to by many different names, including the Helper, the Counselor, the Spirit of truth, and also as the Comforter. I feel like “the Comforter” is an especially apt name for the Holy Spirit because God’s abiding Presence with me certainly does bring me His comfort as I face whatever uncertainties, fears, hurts and losses the day brings my way. It is God’s comfort that sustains me, bandages me up and sends me back out again into the world to do whatever He has called me to do on any particular day.

My Heavenly Father’s comfort is the cloak I wear, the cloak I wrap myself in as I head out into a less than kind world each day. God’s comfort revives my hurting heart and brings me joy in my journey. His promises give me comfort, promises such as this one –

“The Lord your God is with you, He is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing.” (Zephaniah 3:17)

What is more comforting than a lullaby sung to an anxious child in need of soothing? Our parents did that for us, we sang over our children – and our Heavenly Father has been singing over us, watching over us, walking with us, ever since He created us in His image. He truly is the God of all comfort, which is good because I seem to be constantly in need of comfort!

Thank You, Heavenly Father, for the comfort of Your constant Presence walking with me in this world. Your comfort gives me joy in the middle of the hurt, loss, fear, pain and suffering that I inevitably experience in this life. Your comfort sustains me in all my trials and circumstances. I have Your promise!

“Comfort, comfort My people, says your God.” (Isaiah 40:1)

“Shout for joy, O heavens; rejoice, O earth; burst into song, O mountains! For the Lord comforts His people and will have compassion on His afflicted ones.” (Isaiah 49:13)

thank You, Lord, for the joy of Your comfort –

sincerely, Grace Day

remember me

Posted on by Grace Day

Those words could be a question, “remember me?”, but they could also be a command or a plea. As for myself, I think I have uttered those words as all three, question, command and plea, at various times in my life, depending on the situation. The one I most identify with however, is the heartfelt plea the thief hanging on the cross next to Jesus uttered in desperation when he cried out to Jesus – “remember me!” Here’s what happened –

“One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at Him (Jesus): ‘Aren’t you the Christ? Save yourself and us!’ But the other criminal rebuked him. ‘Don’t you fear God,’ he said, ‘since you are under the same sentence? we are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.’ Then he said, ‘Jesus, remember me when You come into Your kingdom.’ ” (Luke 23:39-42)

This was the plea of a dying man -“please, I beg you, Jesus, remember me, don’t forget about me, save me, call me to mind and to You” – all this and more was implied in the thief’s plea, when he begged Jesus simply to “remember me.” And Jesus did. The result?

“Jesus answered him, ‘I tell you the truth, today you will be with Me in paradise.’ ” (Luke 23:43)

Jesus “remembered” him and he was rescued from his death sentence and given instead life with Jesus. The same thing happened for Noah. Remember Noah, the ark and the flood? Remember what happened after the flood?

“The waters flooded the earth for a hundred and fifty days. But God remembered Noah and all the wild animals and the livestock that were with him in the ark, and He sent a wind over the earth, and the waters receded.” (Genesis 7:24-8:1)

God “remembered” Noah. The result? Noah and all on the ark were saved. They were rescued from the flood which covered the whole earth. Remembering leads to rescue, it would seem. That was the case for Lot, Abraham’s nephew. Abraham had asked God to spare Lot’s life. The result?

“So when God destroyed the cities of the plain, He remembered Abraham, and He brought Lot out of the catastrophe that overthrew the cities where Lot had lived.” (Genesis 19:29)

God remembered Abraham’s plea for Lot’s life and God rescued Lot from the disaster. Do you ever feel like God has forgotten you? The Israelites often felt that way. They felt abandoned by God.

“But Zion said, ‘The Lord has forsaken me, the Lord has forgotten me.’ ” (Isaiah 49:14)

What was God’s response to this?

“Can a mother forget the baby at her breast and have no compassion on the child she has borne? Though she may forget, I will not forget you! See, I have engraved you on the palms of My hands; your walls are ever before Me.” (Isaiah 49:15-16)

When I feel unseen and unheard, invisible, overlooked and forgotten by everyone I ever knew – I can know that my Heavenly Father “remembers” me. God has not forgotten me! He sees me and He hears my cries. He hears my pleas to Him to “remember me.” I think Jeremiah also feared being forgotten or overlooked by God because he cried out –

“You understand, O Lord; remember me and care for me. Avenge me on my persecutors. You are long-suffering – do not take me away; think of how I suffer reproach for Your sake.” (Jeremiah 15:15)

God will not forget me nor you, dear readers. Our names are engraved on the palms of His hands. God does not lose track of us either. We have this promise from Psalms –

“He will not let your foot slip – He who watches over you will not slumber; indeed, He who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep. . . . The Lord will keep you from all harm – He will watch over your life; the Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.” (Psalm 121:7-8)

It’s reassuring to me to know that God not only remembers me, but He’s remembering me twenty-four/seven with no gaps in His infinite attention span. God keeps His promises because He always remembers His promises. This is what God said to Noah –

” ‘I establish My covenant with you: Never again will all life be cut off by the waters of a flood; never again will there be a flood to destroy the earth.’ And God said, ‘This is the sign of the covenant I am making between Me and you and every living creature with you, a covenant for all generations to come: I have set My rainbow in the clouds, and it will be the sign of the covenant between Me and the earth. Whenever I bring clouds over the earth and the rainbow appears in the clouds, I will remember My covenant between Me and you and all living creatures of every kind. Never again will the waters become a flood to destroy all life. Whenever the rainbow appears in the clouds, I will see it and remember the everlasting covenant between God and all living creatures of every kind on the earth.’ ” (Genesis 9:11-16)

Unlike you and me, God has a perfect memory. I don’t have to worry that God will forget about me. Still, King David, entreated God to remember him in this Psalm –

“Remember, O Lord, Your great mercy and love, for they are from of old. Remember not the sins of my youth and my rebellious ways; according to Your love remember me, for You are good, O Lord.” (Psalm 25:6-7)

David’s plea is that God will remember him BUT will NOT remember his sin and his rebellious ways. This is my plea as well – “Remember me, God! Please don’t remember all my sin and my rebellion – but do remember me!” Fortunately, God does this very thing. I have His Word on it!

“I, even I, am He who blots out your transgressions, for My own sake, and remembers your sins no more.” (Isaiah 43:25)

“For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more.” (Hebrews 8:12)

Best deal ever! My Heavenly Father will remember me BUT not my sin. Like the thief on the cross, my plea is “Lord, remember me when You come into Your kingdom.” And He has promised that He will do just that. Jesus told His disciples –

“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 14:2-3)

This is good news! My Heavenly Father not only remembers me, He watches over me continuously, He knows every hair on my head, He calls me by name just like He does every star, my name is engraved on the palms of His hands, He’s preparing a place for me and He’s coming back to get me. When I cry out “remember me!”, I can know that my Heavenly Father does indeed remember me. He has promised to forget nothing except my sin. Me, He remembers always.

“I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with loving-kindness.” (Jeremiah 31:3)

“The Lord Himself goes before you and will be with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.” (Deuteronomy 31:8)

sincerely, Grace Day

post Advent ponderings continue

Posted on by Grace Day

“Oh tidings of comfort and joy, comfort and joy! Oh tidings of comfort and joy.” You would think I would be done with Christmas carols by now. The radio has stopped playing any Christmas music, of course, and we are no longer singing carols at church. But “tidings of comfort and joy” continues to echo in my mind even after all my Christmas decorations are packed away, out of sight and out of mind for another year. Still, the words “comfort and joy” persist, remaining with me.

Maybe they should be my new words of the year? I don’t think there’s a rule stating I can only have one word per year, is there? My word for the year has been “hope” for at least the last three years running. Perhaps I have been holding onto “hope” for too long at this point? Pun intended, although I don’t ever want to give up hope, whether figuratively, by choosing a different word, or literally.

However, I am intrigued by the combination of the words “comfort and joy.” I don’t usually think of these two words as going together. Still, the more I think about them – the more I realize how much I long for each of these two things in my life – comfort and joy. I need them both. I would welcome more of each into my life. The reasons for this are self-explanatory. Life can be hard and painful, we all need comfort to sustain us during times of loss and sadness. And joy – who doesn’t want more joy in their life? Moments of joy may be few and fleeting, but I cherish them and crave more of them in my life, as you probably do also.

Why are the words “tidings of comfort and joy” in a Christmas carol? Perhaps because the news of Christ’s birth is a tiding that brings both comfort and joy to all mankind. The angels said as much to the shepherds when they announced Jesus’s birth –

“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.’ ” (Luke 2:10-11)

The news of Jesus’s birth was cause for joy – great joy. I read this in Matthew about how the Magi received the news of Jesus’s birth –

“When they saw the star, they were overjoyed.” (Matthew 2:10)

The Magi were overjoyed to see the star because the star would lead them to the child, the King, the Savior that they were earnestly seeking. And it did just that!

“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 2:11)

Jesus’s birth was definitely an occasion that brought much joy to everyone. The word “joy” was prominent on some of the Christmas cards I received this year. I also received a Christmas gift that was the word “joy” in handcrafted letters strung together, ready to hang on a tree or otherwise display. And another Christmas gift I received was a decoration with the words “wishing you peace, comfort and joy.” I have been sensing a theme. BUT –

so much of daily life, of my current circumstances and situations, is painful, that it seems difficult if not impossible for joy to breakthrough, let alone to enter in with the intent to abide. But Jesus is joy. His arrival brings joy. Jesus came to abide. Joy is here to stay!

Even so, I am still in need of comfort on a daily basis. In fact, I crave comfort. Fortunately, Jesus’s arrival brings me comfort as well as joy. Isaiah talked about this when he said –

“Comfort, comfort my people, says your God. Speak tenderly to Jerusalem, and proclaim to her that her hard service has been completed, that her sin has been paid for, . . . 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 40:1-2 & 5)

Jesus’s birth brought great comfort to all those who had been waiting long for God’s promised Deliverer, Messiah, Savior and King. This is particularly true for Simeon, who took much comfort and joy in seeing for himself the newborn Savior, Jesus. We read Simeon’s story in Matthew –

“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)

“the consolation of Israel” aka, the comfort of Israel, what God promised Simeon he would see for himself before he died, had arrived! Jesus had been born and Simeon had the joy and the comfort of beholding God’s salvation with his own eyes right there in the temple courts. Jesus’s birth not only brought Simeon comfort and joy, (he said he could now die in peace) but Jesus’s birth was also to bring comfort and joy to Israel and eventually to all who would believe on His name.

Surely, the news of Jesus’s birth, or the “tidings” were indeed tidings of both comfort and of joy to all who, like Simeon, had waited with longing for God to make good on His promise to send them a Savior who would rescue all people from the death sentence their own sin had brought them. What joy to have my death sentence lifted! What comfort to know I am forgiven and loved unconditionally! The message of Christmas, therefore, is one of both comfort and joy – two things I definitely desire.

I have found that knowing Jesus and walking with Him, brings me both comfort and joy on a daily basis. These are two priceless gifts His Presence bestows that I never want to take for granted. So I think I will choose “comfort” and “joy” as my words for this New Year. I will be thankful for all the ways His Presence comforts me in my troubles and for all the moments of joy I experience in His Presence.

I pray for each of you, too, dear readers, that 2025 will bring you many moments of comfort and of joy as you not only hear the tidings of this good news that the Savior has come, BUT you actually experience for yourself His Presence as you walk with Him into this New Year. (previous post -“walking into the New Year”)

“You will fill me with joy in Your presence, with eternal pleasures at Your right hand.” (Psalm 16:11)

“I will fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.” (Psalm 23:4)

may God give you each His comfort and His joy in this New Year –

sincerely, Grace Day

walking into the New Year

Posted on by Grace Day

that’s right, I said walking, not running or sprinting BUT neither did I say crawling or limping into the New Year – even if some of us may feel today as if that is how we are entering into this New Year, perhaps weak and wounded, going at a slower pace than we would like – perhaps entering into this new year from a position of perceived defeat rather than victory –

Nevertheless, the new year is here and I just walked into it, literally – that is to say, I just took my first walk of the New Year. Ironically, I took this walk not somewhere new, but in an old, familiar place, but one that I have not walked at all in the last several years. The route or path was full of memories even though this time of year it looks very different from what I remember. That’s because I used to walk this place in summer or fall, when it is in full bloom with wildflowers, community gardens, all kinds of wildlife and plenty of other walkers.

Today is bitingly cold and windy, the landscape brown and barren, except for some cattails and other tall brown grasses. Still, I find beauty in the stark barrenness of the landscape and of the trees, and I take comfort in knowing that the time is coming when this same landscape will again be full of color and life.

This is the same place I remember, just in a different season. I walk alone, remembering all the times I walked this path with a friend as we shared and prayed our way along the route until we would arrive back where we started. Actually though, today I was not alone. My Heavenly Father was walking with me, as He always does. I’m just more aware of His Presence when I’m by myself.

I am reminded that God walked with Adam and Eve in the garden “in the cool of the day.” God has been walking with His people from the very beginning and He’s still doing it today. God told Abraham –

“Leave your country, your people and your father’s household and go to the land I will show you.” (Genesis 12:1)

God would be going with Abraham to show him the way. I feel like God does that for me every day. He doesn’t send me off alone – He walks with me to guide me, to direct, inform and teach me along the way. This is a good thing because I am directionally challenged. I can so easily lose my way and my focus and my purpose as I walk out my life’s journey. But I have the promise of His Presence even when I lose my way or get off course –

“Where can I go from Your Spirit? Where can I flee from Your Presence? If I go up to the heavens, You are there; if I make my bed in the depths, You are there. If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there Your hand will guide me, Your right hand will hold me fast.” (Psalm 139:7-10)

I especially like the promise that my Heavenly Father’s “right hand will hold me fast.” This knowledge, this truth, gives me both comfort and courage as I walk forward into this new year. I welcome both, as it is the comfort of His Presence that gives me the courage I need to face the uncertainties and the inevitable challenges this new year will surely bring to me. With my Heavenly Father’s hand holding me fast, I am able to walk into this new year with grit, grace and gratitude – knowing I do not walk alone.

That doesn’t mean my walking is always graceful or that my walking conditions are always ideal – far from it. Very few moments do I find myself “walking on water” like Peter. I love those dramatic moments when my faith overpowers my fear and I step out in obedience. I step out of my boat like Peter did, leaving behind what I trusted in, instead walking toward Jesus across a stormy sea, trusting only in Him. I have eyes only for Jesus – I am walking on water – until I notice the storm surrounding me and I began to sink like Peter did. BUT – as with Peter, it is in that very moment God’s hand holds me fast and rescues me.

“But when he (Peter) saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, ‘Lord, save me!’ Immediately Jesus reached out His hand and caught him.” (Matthew 14:30-31)

My walking will not always be in pleasant places during this coming year. BUT – God’s Presence walking with me will make all the difference. Like King David, I will probably walk through many valleys in 2025, and some will be dark valleys, like David’s valley of the shadow of death. However, look how David describes his experience of walking with God –

“He guides me in paths of righteousness for His name’s sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.” (Psalm 23:3-5)

Even when I am walking this world’s darkest valleys, I don’t have to be afraid! (“I will fear no evil”) I have the comfort of God’s Presence. And even while I am walking my valleys, my cup overflows! God sees to that. Will I be walking in any more difficult places than valleys surrounded by my enemies? Well, I imagine I’ll face a few fiery trials, aka. furnaces again this year. Remember Jesus said, “In this world you will have trouble.”

However, I recall the furnace experience of Daniel’s three friends and I am encouraged. Remember they were bound up and thrown into a furnace heated seven times hotter than normal to assure their destruction. But when King Nebuchadnezzar looked into the furnace, he got a surprise –

” ‘Weren’t there three men that we tied up and threw into the fire?’ They replied, ‘Certainly, O king.’ He said, ‘Look! I see four men walking around in the fire, unbound and unharmed, and the fourth looks like a son of the gods.’ ” (Daniel 3:24-25)

A furnace is not a place I would choose to take a walk, but the three men were “unbound and unharmed – walking around in the fire” – because God was there with them, the fourth One in the fire. As long as I’m walking with God, I can walk with courage. Although, climbing mountains does seem a bit daunting, to put it mildly. Not so with God.

“The Sovereign Lord is my strength; He makes my feet like the feet of a deer, He enables me to go on the heights.” (Habakkuk 3:19)

Walking on water, walking through dark, dangerous valleys, walking in fiery furnaces or walking up steep mountains – I never know where walking with God will take me, but I do know He will be with me every step of the way – and that is enough, more than enough actually. I have these marching (walking) orders for 2025 –

“And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.” (Micah 6:8)

Sometimes I walk with friends, sometimes by myself – but never alone. God’s right hand always holds me fast. That’s His promise. When I fear that I am losing my way, I am reminded that –

“I am to walk by faith, not by sight.” (2 Corinthians 5:7)

My life is a walk of faith from start to finish. Currently I am continuing on said walkabout knowing this to be true –

“but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” (Isaiah 40:31)

walking with you, dear readers, into God’s new year – today I walked not on water, but into the wind and the cold – tomorrow? who knows? (well, actually God knows) I have the promise of His Presence, the assurance that I will walk without fainting, the knowledge that God will direct the paths that I walk – that’s enough for today – enough for me to put one foot in front of the other – I don’t need to see the end – I walk by faith today, tomorrow and every day. To that end I will –

“Trust in the Lord with all my heart and lean not on my own understanding; in all my ways I will acknowledge Him, and He will direct my paths.” (Proverbs 3:5-6)

sincerely, Grace Day

post Advent ponder

Posted on by Grace Day

I always miss them when they’re gone. I get used to them and then all of a sudden, they’re not there anymore. Just vanished as if on cue. And my own neighborhood street is no exception. I’ve grown accustomed to the bright lights adorning many of the yards and houses up and down my street. It’s welcoming on a dark evening to return home to so many Christmas lights and decorations all lit up.

But the lights and decorations do give me pause to ponder a very important and virtually inescapable question – what are we celebrating? I see snowmen and gingerbread men but no wise men – elves but no shepherds – plenty of reindeer but few lambs – lots of candy canes but hard to find an angel – twinkling snowflakes but not shining stars – (such as the one that guided the Wise Men) – Santa Clauses are in abundance, many so large they tower over the other decorations, stealing the “limelight” or I guess in this case the Christmas light – but it is rare to find a Nativity scene amid all the brightly lit displays celebrating this holiday.

Hence my post Advent ponder – what are we actually celebrating? For many, is it just time off from work? Although for some, this is the time to work more than usual at Christmas and many have jobs that are just at Christmas ie. all the Santas and elves and such that we see everywhere at Christmas time. Which reminds me – fun story – returning home Christmas night I was forced to take a detour. I had to leave the highway and drive through the downtown of the city in order to get home. I got to see the circle all lit up and I saw two Santa Clauses strolling down the main street, not a care in the world. Neither had a pack of toys on their back, but of course by now all their deliveries would have been made.

Of course, I digress, but in my defense the very nature of pondering lends itself to many avenues of thought, aka digressions. BUT – the original ponder – just what is being celebrated anyway? You know this started out as a birthday party, right? We were remembering and celebrating the birth of God’s Son, Jesus. Why? Because He had been promised and mankind had been waiting centuries for God to make good on that promise.

We needed a Savior and in His perfect timing, God provided One for us. He gave us His very own Son.

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

However, to say that those living at the time were a little disappointed with God’s gift, is kind of an understatement. They didn’t really have the time or the room to receive Jesus or they missed the giving of the gift completely.

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

Seems like we have the same problem today. We don’t make the time or the room to receive God’s gift or we completely miss the fact that God has given us a gift – a priceless, life changing, life giving gift – Jesus Christ. This truth gets buried under snowmen and reindeer and candy canes and Santa Clauses and so many gifts that the real gift is eclipsed, lost and forgotten forever.

However, maybe there’s still time? By now the excitement and the newness of this year’s Christmas gifts are wearing off. Some toys may have already been broken and it is a certainty that gadgets and electronics, as well as clothes, will soon be outdated or outgrown. The luster doesn’t last long with earthly gifts. If only we’d unwrapped God’s gift – the gift of His Presence come to stay with us.

“The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call Him Immanuel – which means, ‘God with us.’ ” (Matthew 1:23)

The gift of God’s presence – the overlooked gift of Advent – the only gift of Advent that counts! The star of Bethlehem and the heavenly hosts lit up the darkness on the night of Jesus’s birth. Today, we’re still trying to light up our darkness with all kinds of light displays – but until we let the one true light enter in, our efforts will continue to be in vain. God gave us the Light. Jesus said –

“I am the light of the world. Whoever follows Me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” (John 8:12)

How sad that so many were not ready or willing to receive God’s gift. How sad that is still the case today.

“In Him was life, and that life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it.” (John 1:4-5)

Isaiah said – “Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord rises upon you.” (Isaiah 60:1)

May the True Light, given to you and to me at Christmas, continue to light up our lives long after the Santas, the snowmen, the reindeer and such are no longer lighting up our lawns. I don’t have to live in post Advent darkness – Jesus came to stay!

“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)

The Christmas lights are already disappearing. BUT – God’s gift – “in Him was life, and that life was the light of men” – God’s light – will continue to shine post Advent and into eternity. This is the gift we celebrate at Advent – God’s light and life.

“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)

sincerely, Grace Day

unopened gifts of Advent

Posted on by Grace Day

Unclaimed inheritances – I hear about them all the time and I wonder, who would NOT claim a free gift that is their rightful inheritance? Yet I’ve read that many inheritances do go unclaimed because the recipients are unaware that someone, somewhere, has willed something to them. They don’t know that this inheritance is already theirs. They don’t know that nothing remains but for them to act. All they need to do is to show up and claim their inheritance.

Even so, many inheritances remain unclaimed still today. Unbelievable but true. I don’t want to be so foolish as to leave my God given inheritance unclaimed. His gift has been given. God sent me the gift of His Son. And contained in His gift is everything – I mean everything I could ever want or need. In Colossians, the apostle Paul says this about Jesus –

“namely, Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. . . . For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form, and you have been given fullness in Christ, who is the head over every power and authority.” (Colossians 2:3 & 9-10)

Wow! You and I have been given fullness in Christ! Why would we not claim that inheritance? Moreover, in John we read what Jesus Himself said –

“I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” (John 10:10)

Some translations say “and have it more abundantly” and the NLT translation reads “My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life.”

Why would I leave this gift unopened, this inheritance unclaimed? It’s a pretty big inheritance. When I look into it, I discover more than I ever dreamed possible. For starters, I am definitely an heir. If not, then I couldn’t inherit anything. But I am and I can!

“But when the time had fully come, God sent His Son, born of a woman, born under law, to redeem those under law, that we might receive the full rights of sons. Because you are sons, God sent the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, ‘Abba, Father.’ So you are no longer a slave, but a son; and since you are a son, God has made you also an heir.” (Galatians 4:4-7)

There it is – I am an heir! This means there is an inheritance that is mine – all I need to do is to claim it. Why would I not want to receive all that God wants to give me? King David wrote in the psalms about our inheritance as God’s children and all that it contains –

“Praise the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits – who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion, who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s. The Lord works righteousness and justice for all the oppressed.” (Psalm 103:2-6)

Forgiveness, healing, redemption, rescue from my circumstances, love, compassion, renewed strength, and all those “good things” which are too numerous to name, probably because they are never ending, such as His mercies which “are new every morning” – why would I not claim my rightful inheritance as a child of God, created in His image? There is so much He wants to give me, if only I would humble myself and receive it. For example, peace – who doesn’t desire peace these days? Jesus says –

“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)

Peace is one of God’s many good gifts, part of my inheritance in Jesus. In Philippians I am reminded this gift is mine. When I bring my needs and my fears to my Heavenly Father, He takes them and gives me His peace in their place.

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:6-7)

The good news about my inheritance in Jesus is that it is a sure thing. All I need do is accept God’s gift to me of His Son. Peter says of this gift –

“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In His great mercy He has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade – kept in heaven for you, who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time.” (1 Peter 1:3-5)

An inheritance that can “never perish, spoil or fade” – lose its value or be taken from me – that’s an inheritance I want to claim! It comes with so many good gifts – like God’s infinite grace.

“And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.” (2 Corinthians 9:8)

My inheritance starts and ends with the gift of the Giver’s Presence. When I claim my inheritance, I receive His promise – the same promise given to Joshua –

“The Lord Himself goes before you and will be with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.” (Deuteronomy 31:8)

As this season of Advent draws to a close, I will be sure that I have not left unopened God’s gift to me. I will claim and receive my inheritance as His child with joy, gladness and gratefulness. It is a miraculous inheritance – an inheritance that should never go unclaimed by its rightful recipients. And who are the rightful recipients, the rightful heirs of God’s gift? It is none other than you and me and everyone and anyone who believes on the name of His Son, Jesus.

“Yet to all who received Him, to those who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God -” (John 1:12)

“And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life.” (1 John 5:11-12)

I don’t know about you, but I do not want to leave my inheritance unclaimed. The gift has been given. The package has been delivered. It is time for me to reach out and receive it. It is time for me to open my door, bring my gift inside and make room for the gift of God’s Presence in my life on a daily basis. He has come to stay. My inheritance is eternal life. Yours too. Let’s not leave this gift of God unopened and unclaimed.

“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

pursuing their package

Posted on by Grace Day

Amazon delivered my package right to my front door. All I needed to do was to open my door and bring my package inside. It was literally waiting outside my door for me to open up and let it in. The shepherds had a similar experience with their gift delivery. The announcement of the arrival of their Savior came complete with instructions on how they could access their gift. The angel of the Lord told the shepherds,

“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 2:11-12)

Their gift was waiting for them, not too far from where they were. BUT – with the Wise Men, or Magi, as they were called, it was different. The Magi received the announcement, not from an angel, but from a star appearing in the sky, letting them know that God’s gift had been given, that their gift had been delivered, however, not exactly to their front door. Far from it, actually.

No, in order to receive their gift, the Wise Men would have to travel. They would have to embark on a journey without knowing how far or how long they would be traveling. But the Magi, or Wise Men, really wanted to receive God’s gift to them. They were willing to go to great lengths to see for themselves God’s gift to the world, His Son, Jesus. To this end, they traveled from the east to Jerusalem, following the star in pursuit of God’s gift –

“After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, 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.’ When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him. When he had called together all the people’s chief priests and teachers of the law, he asked them where the Christ was to be born. ‘In Bethlehem in Judea,’ they replied, ‘for this is what the prophet has written:’ (Matthew 2:1-5-)

The Wise Men then continued on their quest, leaving Jerusalem and heading to Bethlehem, determined to find, to receive and to worship God’s gift to the world, His one and only Son. Their story continues –

“After they (the Wise Men) had heard the king, 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)

The Magi really had to go out of their way to behold and to receive God’s gift to them personally. Theirs was a long and costly journey, taking them far from the familiar comfort of their homes. But they did not take God’s gift for granted. They followed the star God provided and pursued the package which had been delivered on that glorious night when the heavens opened up to the shepherds and the world received its much needed, long awaited Rescuer.

The Magi weren’t content just to hear about the One who had been born King of the Jews, they wanted to actually meet this child personally and have the opportunity to worship Him. After all, this child had been given to them, too, even though they lived in a land which was a great distance from where God’s gift was delivered. Remember what the angel told the shepherds –

“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.’ ” (Luke 2:10-11)

The angel said the good news was for “all the people.” That means the good news and the accompanying great joy were intended for the Magi as well as for everyone else. God’s gift to each and every one of us had been delivered and no one was left out. Some just had to travel a little further than others to receive their gift from God.

Now that the gift has been given, each of us has to decide what we will do with God’s gift to us of His one and only Son. The Magi went way out of their way to track down and to receive the gift that God had delivered to the world. But not everyone was as delighted with God’s gift nor as determined to receive it. John says this about Jesus’s arrival –

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

Jesus was delivered to their front porch, but they did not open the door. They did not even attempt to invite Him in or to make room for Him. Jesus was relegated to a stable. Even so, there were those like the Magi who were watching and waiting for God’s gift. When they saw God’s birth announcement in the sky, they left everything behind and set out in pursuit of their package, determined to receive what God so graciously had given.

When the Magi finally found their already delivered gift, Jesus, they celebrated, they worshiped and they bowed down in gratitude to God. Today, as I put away my Christmas gifts, I have to ask myself – what am I doing with God’s gift to me? Am I truly celebrating that my package has been delivered? Am I truly thankful to receive this unmatchable gift from God? Am I truly worshiping my Savior and my Lord, like the Magi did when they finally found their gift?

“And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life.” (1 John 5:11-12)

The gift has been given. The package has been delivered. Time for you and for me to pursue our package. Today I will celebrate, I will worship and I will thank God for His gift to me.

“Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!” (2 Corinthians 9:15)

“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)

This is not a package I want to leave on my front porch. This is a package worth pursuing at all costs, just like the Magi did.

sincerely, Grace Day

your package has been delivered!

Posted on by Grace Day

Those are the exact words of the email I received from Amazon just yesterday, “your package has been delivered”, letting me know that my long-awaited purchase is finally here. My anticipation is finally over. Now all that remains is for me to open my front door, bring my package inside and open it. Or I could just let it sit out there on the front porch, ignoring it indefinitely.

If I do open it, will I be disappointed? Or will it live up to my expectations? Seems like the longer I wait for something, the more it gets built up in my mind, increasing the likelihood that it will not live up to my expectations and I will inevitably be disappointed.

This morning you and I, along with the whole world, are waking up to the same message – “your package has been delivered!” This is good news. This is great news. But how we respond to this announcement makes all the difference in the world. Our package has been delivered. Our promised Messiah, Savior and Deliverer has been born. He has come as God promised. Will we receive Him?

The shepherds were the original responders to this news, because they were the first recipients of the “your package has been delivered” message. The shepherds, however, did not receive their notice via something so mundane as an email from Amazon. No, the shepherds were informed that “your package has been delivered” by an angel, accompanied by a whole host of angels. Imagine their surprise. The shepherds hadn’t ordered anything, and yet they were being informed they had just been given a miraculous, priceless gift!

“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. 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)

What was the shepherds’ response to their “your package has been delivered” announcement? They could have ignored the news or put it off to deal with at a later time. (although angels are harder to ignore than an email) But the shepherds took immediate action. They were ready to receive God’s gift.

“When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, ‘Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.’ 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. . . . The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.” (Luke 2:15-20)

I like that the shepherds “hurried off” in pursuit of God’s gift and I like that after the shepherds saw God’s gift to them, Jesus, lying in the manger as they had been told, the shepherds then became announcers to the world of the message “your package has been delivered.” Luke says, “when they had seen Him, they spread the word.” Good News is hard to contain – it begs to be spread so that everyone can share in the joy. Reminds me of the Christmas song – “Go tell it on the mountain, over the hills and everywhere . . . that Jesus Christ is born!”

This morning you and I can celebrate with the shepherds that “our package has been delivered!” A couple of days before this, I got an email telling me, “your package has shipped.” I guess Amazon wanted to give me a head’s up, so I could be on the lookout for my package. Amazon didn’t want me to miss it’s arrival. Long before Jesus’s arrival, Isaiah gave the world a pretty clear head’s up about God’s future gift to the world when he said –

“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)

There were lots of prophesies or “your gift is being prepared” notices along the way but the “your package has been delivered” notice comes right on time, so that you and I don’t miss what God wants to give us.

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

God wants to adopt you and me into His family forever! What a gift! I don’t want to leave this gift unopened or unused or discarded or disdained or unclaimed. This gift of God is meant for me, it has my name on it. It has your name on it, too, dear readers. Let us celebrate and receive this gift together – this gift that makes us brothers and sisters, this gift that gives us a place in an eternal family!

The joy of Christmas morning – our package has been delivered! It has not been delayed, backordered, lost, delivered to the wrong address or misplaced. Our package, our Deliverer, has been delivered to us, to you and to me right on time. Let’s open the door and bring it in. Let’s make room to receive what we’ve been given. A Savior, a Rescuer, a protector, a provider, a shepherd, a Deliverer from death to eternal life. Best gift ever! Today I will open the door and 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)

God’s gift has been given – my package has been delivered! Your package has been delivered too! Celebrate and give thanks to God.

sincerely, Grace Day

gifts – giving, getting and re-gifting

Posted on by Grace Day

In this season of gift giving, we are once again faced with the question of what we do with the gifts we receive. Would we ever not open a gift given to us? If nothing else, wouldn’t curiosity win out? I don’t think I could leave a present unopened – I would want to know what’s inside. But what does actually happen to my Christmas gifts?

Do some get set aside to be opened later when I have more time? Does the gift then get buried under various other things and end up forgotten and unopened due to being out of sight? Or do I determine that I know what it is by its shape and size, decide I don’t want what I think it is and therefore don’t open it for that reason. How many gifts every year are given, received and never opened?

Or having opened my gift, do I reject it for whatever reason? Do I throw it away, give it away, (re-gifting is the appropriate term) or do I relegate said gift to storage in an attic, basement or closet, never to be seen or thought about again. Or maybe I am happy to receive the gift and have plans to put it to good use, whatever that might be. But I never take it out of the box and actually use it or wear it or enjoy it. I let my gift sit on the shelf taking up space and collecting dust.

When I overlook, under appreciate or refuse to receive a gift, do I realize what I am doing to my relationship with the giver of the gift? Maybe I am not aware of the time, effort or sacrifice the giver of the gift put into his present. I wonder if that’s how my Heavenly Father feels about my reaction to His gift to me, the gift of His Son. Certainly this gift required quite a bit of sacrifice on God’s part. In fact, it is a very costly gift that you and I have been given. I tend to forget just how much was required of Jesus –

“Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made Himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to death – even death on a cross!” (Philippians 2:6-8)

God provided the sacrifice for my sin. That’s God’s free gift to me, given in the form of a baby in a manger, a baby who would grow up to be the Christ on the cross. God gave me a Savior, a Redeemer, Someone to rescue me from certain death and instead give me eternal life! This gift of Jesus is exactly what I need and exponentially more than I deserve. Why would I not receive this gift with joy and gratitude?

I don’t want to overlook God’s gift of His Son. I don’t want to reject Jesus or to refuse to make room for Him in my life. I don’t want to relegate Jesus to a place on a shelf in a closet somewhere out of sight and therefore out of mind. No, Advent is about me preparing a place of honor and prominence in my heart and in my life for the coming King, God’s gift to me and to this weary world. Advent is about me realizing and remembering what this gift cost God. It cost Him everything. God gave us Himself. His Presence with us.

“The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call Him Immanuel – which means ‘God with us.’ ” (Matthew 1:23)

Advent is here. Time for me to clear away the clutter of lesser things and to make room to receive the King of Kings who is my King, my Lord, my Savior, my Redeemer, my Shepherd – God’s gift, given to me so that I might live.

“I (Jesus) have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” (John 10:10)

May I make room to receive God’s gift all over again this Advent season .

“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)

“Let every heart prepare Him room”

sincerely, Grace Day

dandelions understand Advent

Posted on by Grace Day

People, including myself, are always trying to kill dandelions. Dandelions aren’t paranoid. People are actually out to get them. I know this because I used to be one of those people. I have paid big bucks in the past to have dandelions eradicated from my yard. In other words, I am guilty of hiring a hit man to take out my dandelions. (without success as you now know from previous posts) BUT – in an unforeseen plot twist – what if dandelions are actually the good guys, not the bad guys, aka dangerous weeds. There are those who want us to believe that dandelions are damaging and therefore dangerous.

BUT – this is far from the truth. As it turns out, dandelions have been undeservedly given a bad name. In fact, in my previous research, I discovered that dandelions are actually good for the soil in which they grow. They break up compacted soil and their presence invites other vegetation in which is good.

Specifically, here’s how dandelions boost soil health. Their deep tap roots aerate the soil, making channels for air and water, which make it easier for other plants to grow along with them. Dandelions are food for beneficial bugs and pollinators like bees and butterflies. Dandelions are also edible and have medicinal uses for humans. Dandelions are rich in potassium which helps many other plants and their deep roots pull other nutrients to the soil’s surface, which benefits and attracts other plants. Because of their deep roots, dandelions also help to prevent erosion.

I could go on and on, but this is an Advent post, not a gardening post or a save the dandelion’s post. So what’s the connection to Advent? Well, one could say dandelions are a gift from God. They are beautiful, good for the earth and good for humans. But we reject this gift from God. We even try to kill His gift of dandelions. Are you seeing any similarities to other gifts we receive, or refuse to receive, as the case may be, from God?

This is particularly apparent in the case of God’s most personal, most precious gift to us of His only Son, Jesus. To say that Jesus was not well received is kind of an understatement. The world made no room at all to receive God’s gift, which is why Jesus was born in a stable surrounded by animals. Why wasn’t God’s gift received with the joy, thankfulness and celebration that normally accompany the advent or arrival of a long-desired gift?

Could it be the “packaging” and the “delivery” (pun intended) of the gift weren’t what the Israelites had hoped for, weren’t what they expected and definitely weren’t what they wanted. They had been promised a Messiah, a Deliverer, a Savior – one who would set them free. The Israelites were currently enslaved and oppressed under Roman rule. So they were expecting a person with worldly status and power, a rich ruler/military type person of high rank, a king, a prince, to be the one God would send to rescue them from their current plight.

So you can see why no one paid any attention to a child born to a poor young couple in an obscure village. They were expecting God’s gift to be delivered in a palace with much pomp and fanfare among the political and religious rulers of the day announcing the arrival of God’s gift. Actually, there was much fanfare on the night of Jesus’s birth. But the important, powerful people of the day were not involved. The elite were not the ones who received the good news nor the ones who made the birth announcement to the world.

That honor went to the angels, who did the announcing and to the shepherds who did the receiving of this long-awaited gift from God. The birth announcement occurred on the hillsides surrounding Bethlehem, where the shepherds were watching over their sheep, far from the places and the palaces of power and influence. All of heaven was rejoicing that the gift had been given, but earth was having a little trouble receiving God’s gift.

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

Jesus, like the dandelions of today, was not received with enthusiasm and thankfulness, and often was outright rejected.

“The stone the builders rejected has become the capstone; the Lord has done this, and it is marvelous in our eyes.” (Psalm 118:22)

But simply rejecting Jesus, refusing God’s gift, wasn’t enough for some people. There were those who wanted Jesus killed.

” . . . an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream. ‘Get up,’ he said, ‘take the child (Jesus) and his mother and escape to Egypt. Stay there until I tell you, for Herod is going to search for the child to kill him.’ . . . When Herod realized that he had been outwitted by the Magi, he was furious, and he gave orders to kill all the boys in Bethlehem and its vicinity who were two years old and under, in accordance with the time he had learned from the Magi.” (Matthew 2:13 & 16)

Now you see why I think dandelions definitely understand Advent and all the intrigue that accompanied Jesus’s arrival or Advent here on earth. Herod may have been the first to try to kill Jesus, but he wasn’t the last. The religious leaders of the day, the Pharisees, were constantly out to get Jesus. Just like the dandelions of today, people wanted Jesus dead.

And there came a time when they thought they had succeeded. They crucified Jesus and laid Him in a tomb. It appeared they had destroyed God’s gift. BUT – three days later the tomb was empty and Jesus was once more with His disciples. Jesus had come back to life! That is just like my dandelions, who keep returning even after I not only reject them but openly persecute them and try to kill them. The miracle of new life, eternal life – that is the gift of God, given to you and to me in the person of His Son, Jesus.

“And this is the testimony; God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life.” (1 John 5:11-12)

Why would I not accept God’s gift of Jesus, along with all of God’s other good gifts such as forgiveness, peace, hope, joy, redemption, salvation, His Holy Spirit presence and on and on – the list is long.

“Praise the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits – who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion, who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.” (Psalm 103:2-5)

“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)

Jesus, the first and foremost of all God’s good and perfect gifts, has been given. Advent – the time to celebrate God’s gift with thanksgiving!

“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)

Dandelions understand what it is to be an underappreciated, rejected, persecuted gift. That’s probably why they understand Advent so well. This Advent season, I want to be sure I am truly grateful for the miracle gift from God of His Son, Jesus. Miracles are always worth celebrating. May this Advent be a season of celebration!

sincerely, Grace Day