Dietrich Bonhoeffer once wrote:
“We have become so accustomed to the idea of divine love, and of God’s coming at Christmas, that we no longer tend to feel the shiver of awe that God’s coming should arouse in us. We so easily become indifferent to the message, that it is tempting to only take the pleasant and agreeable out of this holy season, forgetting the serious aspect, that the God of the world draws near to the people of our little earth and lays claim to us.”
(God is in the Manger)
(God is in the Manger)
"The shiver of awe..."
The wonder of the season...
The mystery of divine love...
Oh, may Mr. Bonhoeffer be wrong on my account...and, yours, as well.
May I (we) NEVER be one of those who become accustomed to the incredible story of redemption!
Once upon a time, God drew near...
It isn't a fairy tale...
It is a story of majestic proportions...
A story that only an omniscient holy Creator could conjure...
While Christmas trees are magical (mine is)...
...and, hunting for the perfect gift is adventurous (elk hunting has nothing on Christmas-gift-hunting)...
...and, surrounding ourselves with family and friends is encouraging...
...and, cooking up all the traditional dishes is comforting...
...there is NOTHING that compares to the magical, awe-inducing, rich, comfort of the real Christmas narrative (ponder these words):
"Veiled in flesh the Godhead see
Hail the incarnate deity
Pleased as man with man to dwell
Jesus, our Immanuel...
Mild He lays His glory by
Born that man no more may die
Born to raise the sons of earth
Born to give them second birth..."
What is our response?
"Joy to the world! The Lord is come...
Let earth receive her King!
Let every heart, prepare Him room..."
"Fall on your knees..."
"Go tell it on the mountain
Over the hills and everywhere..."
Hallelujah! We have a Savior: Jesus Christ, the Lord!
Christmas was just the beginning of God's redemptive love story.
One day, He will come again, and His love story will be forever complete.
Look up...Advent is near!
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