Just some early morning thoughts from me to you…

“Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, 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 (NIV)

“Then if my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and restore their land.”
II Chronicles 7: 14 (NLT)

Rounding out of Thanksgiving, where we are now headed is only a month away, and we can sense its approach. 

It could be different this year. 

Some of my fondest recollections of Thanksgiving were with my bride Lynda’s family when we were first married.

And then later, those fond memories of our own family gathered in our home sharing the blessing of a table-full of food, and nothing stronger than coffee, tea, milk, and ginger ale, cream soda, or root beer for our grandchildren.

Embracing the memory of those times, Lynda and I thanked God for the blessed times when our family was there.

No matter our recent experiences, we’re now rounding out of Thanksgiving into the season of Advent, nearing the celebration of the ever-present help, healing love, and eternally hope-filled birth of the Babe of Bethlehem.

Nearing the moment when the Light of the Christ Child came into the world. 

Feeling nearer, my God, to Thee.

Remembering “…You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”

A month away, and yet somewhere children are going to school in clothes unwashed for weeks. With maybe a few pairs of underwear, if lucky.  

Maybe with a pair of serviceable shoes or sneakers. Again, only if they are the fortunate ones. And even then, it’s all they have. 

And for them, too, it’s a month away. 

I wonder if it could be different for them this year. I wonder if it could be different for us this year.

Maybe if we embraced these words seeking to draw us nearer to our God.

Remembering “…if my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and restore their land.”

I wonder, at times, if we even see those others. 

Those in need. I wonder if we saw them, or tried to see them, when we gathered wherever we gathered at Thanksgiving a week ago—to give thanks. 

Thanks, for what? Was it about us, or others?  

Did we leave others still in need, or alone? 

Family. Friends. Someone God brought before us.

Did we even look, notice or care? 

Yet here we are a month away and moving toward being nearer, my God, to Thee. 

Our God, Who does care. 

Will it be clear to others, that our lives are drawing nearer to our God. To the Light of Christ.       

Remember “…You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”

It could really be different this year. For them. For those in need. For others we have left alone. 

For you and me. 

It will depend on whether it is about us. Or, about the Christ Child. 

Us? Or the Christ Child?

Only one right answer—for here and eternity.

In His Name–Scott

Enjoy this breathtakingly beautiful Andre’ Rieu presentation, in Amsterdam, of “Nearer, My God, to Thee”