Thoughts
Christmas – We Matter
Just some early morning thoughts from me to you…
“Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid.
Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger.”
Luke 2: 8-12 (NKJV)
We all have those moments when we feel less. Right?
Moments where we lack joy. Uncertain about what’s next. Always feeling like we’re looking in from the outside. We all do at times.
And we try to move to a place of more, seeking a sense of renewed joy, with a clarity about tomorrow, and acceptance in the world around us.
Or we don’t, and instead we continue to live a life marked by never having reached our full God-ordained potential.
Ebenezer Scrooge had it made, if money was the measuring stick of the day.
Otherwise, he was lost. Empty. An outcast in a society where people did not seek to be around him. He didn’t matter to but a few others, like his nephew Fred.
Missing the life God created him to live, and the potential moments God kept setting before him to have an impact in the world around him for good.
Then the visitation of the three spirits.
And a life-changing moment at the end of those visits where the lessons of the three spirits took root in his new-found person and purpose.
A spirit within him which reflected the essence and message of Christ. The Baby in the manger whose birth we celebrate afresh and anew in a few weeks.
Then the shepherds in the scripture in Luke. Outcasts on the outskirts of society. Always filthy because of their jobs, they weren’t even allowed by “religious” rules of the day to worship in the Temple.
Not likeable, or powerful. They didn’t really matter to others. Socially rejected, poor, hanging around on the fringes of society and seen with not much worth by others.
And the Angel visited them.
A life-changing moment for them and the world as the Angel shared the birth of Christ.
God sent the three spirits to Ebeneezer Scrooge with a message that would change his life.
Scrooge mattered to God.
God sent the Angel to the shepherds with a message that would change their lives and the lives of the world then and to come.
The shepherds mattered to God.
Guess what? We matter to God.
He comes to you. He comes to me.
Every day and in every way—reminding us of the Good News of Christ, for you and for me.
Christmas is a time to remember—we matter to Him!
Behold our God!
In His Name–Scott
Be lifted and encouraged by the California Baptist University Choir and Orchestra presentation of “Behold Our God.”
Recent Thoughts
Always Look Deeper
A few years ago, our younger Granddaughter, Ellie Kate, had peaked my interest in a movie she announced she had recently seen. And so while traveling with Lynda after that, I watched Ellie Kate’s recommended movie “Bolt”. It is the animated tale of an endearing little puppy who played a role as a super-hero dog in the movies.
He Gets It!
So, how is the day going for you? What was on your mind as you woke up this morning? Did you wake with some concerns, a bit of expectancy, a bit of uncertainty? Maybe you had some excitement about some plans that were about to unfold, or some doubt about something coming up later in the week and how it may unfold?
Our Diamond Mine
In his book, Acres of Diamonds, Russell Cromwell tells the story of a man named Ali Hafed, a farmer who had lived on his farm for years with his wife and children. He had health and peace and was content with his life. Until one day a priest visited and talked of “diamonds” sparkling like a million suns, the most beautiful things in all the world.