the night before Christmas

So it's Christmas Eve. The tangled lights around the tree are casting a spell on my vision. Light seems to be glittering everywhere. Quietly I sit here on this fluffy sofa, almost in unbelief that Christmas is actually here. Where did all the weeks go that protected me from this special day? Christmas kinda crept up on me this year. I'm prepared according to cultural standards. My gifts are purchased, the house is clean and decorated, all the food is prepared, the family is here. Yet somehow it still doesn't feel like Christmas to me.

Which urges me to wonder ... what makes Christmas "Christmas"?

It could be nostalgic snapshots that roll though my mind: Watching my family talk and laugh among one another while I listen from a distance with a warm cup of tea in my hands. Younger siblings shrieking in delight as missed relatives pull into our driveway. Apple spiced candles burning on the fireplace mantel. The beautiful green wreath enclosing five candles representing the many wonders of our Savior's birth. The music of merry celebration. The thrilling sound of paper tearing followed by squeals or tears of joy. Christmas arouses memories filled with warmth, joy, and the smell of cinnamon.

But also I wonder what made the first Christmas special. I don't think it induced the same vanilla-coated memories I associated with this holiday. It probably felt like an ordinary day. Forget Christmas spirit and red ribbons. Life was closing in from every corner. Demands, dust, and danger were the decorations of Mary and Joseph's first Christmas. They were far from family, home, and comfort. But God was near. So near in fact, they could stroke His face with their fingers.

My point is ... whether we feel "Christmasy" or not ... Jesus is near. He invaded life in the form of a helpless, tender baby, and grew up to become our sacrificial substitute -- ultimately changing the world and eternity forever. He didn't wait until everyone was gathered around the tree with fidgety anticipation. He came on a silent night, but it was a holy night. He came so we could be near God. And that nearness is what I love about Christmas. Family, gifts, cocoa, and Christmas lights do make me happy. But it is the quiet, thankful moments I cherish the most. Thank You, Jesus, for coming so I could be near You, especially on Christmas ... and the night before.

I want to know You more...

Is this the desire of your heart today? Above all else, do you long for more of Jesus in your life?

As I was praying and reading this morning, God used the words of a devotional I am reading through this year to rekindle the desire to know Jesus even more in my life.

I know I have already recently written a post on Knowing Jesus, but I think this subject can never be over-discussed or written about! And I would like to encourage you again to recognize the crucial need in our hearts to truly know Jesus, especially as His adoring bride. We should know Him better than anyone else.

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Taken from the devotional Daily In His Presence by Andrew Murray.

"Now this is eternal life: that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent." John 17:3

"The knowledge of God is essential for the spiritual life. It is life eternal. The knowledge spoken of here is no intellectual knowledge received from others, nor the product of your own thinking, but a living knowledge wherein God makes Himself know to us.

How is it that we so seldom experience the life-giving power of truly knowing God? Because we do not give God time to reveal Himself to us. When we pray, we think that we know well enough how to speak to God. We forget that one of the most important principles of prayer is to be silent before Him that He may reveal Himself.

God desires to manifest His presence by causing it to rest upon us and work within us. To know God as a personal and loving God is to know real life.

Brother Lawrence, who had a desire to know God, can be quoted as an example. Various prayer books were given to the monk, but he replied that it would not help to pray if he did not know the God to whom he was speaking. And he believed that God would reveal Himself. He spent long hours in quiet adoration in order to become conscious of God's presence, nearness, and sustaining power.

That is the secret. As the rising sun holds the promise of light for the rest of the day, so your quiet time spent waiting on God will be the promise of His presence and power throughout your day."

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I pray your heart was blessed by these words and encouraged to spent some quiet and restful time with Jesus, seeking to truly know Him even more.

Jesus...Come Again

Christmas is here...a precious time of remembrance and celebration. We remember that over 2,000 years ago, a Savior was born for us in a humble stable, although He was a King. We celebrate because Jesus, this King, is changing our hearts and our world forever.

This is the season for Advent. Advent literally means "coming". Yes, Jesus did come - and I am so thankful that He did. And there is more to Advent than focusing on Christ's "coming" through His birth... yes, so much more. The promise of Advent for us is that Jesus is coming again...

The King will come again

Especially in these times we should be daily meditating on the fact that Jesus is going to come again, and soon. And the Christmas season should be a great comfort and encouragement to our hearts because we can be sure that Jesus came once - He will come again. This is comfort! Even during the heavy trials we may endure, the painful relationships we encounter, the persistent physical pain that just won't leave - we can have comfort. Jesus is coming again, to take us home to be with Him forever. He'll wipe away ever tear, He'll calm every fear.

How this knowledge should effect our daily walk. If we can be faithful and diligent in fixing our eyes on sweet Jesus, and setting our hearts on "the things above", how our lives would transformed from a pit of despair and failure, to abundant and purposeful life. We must cling to Christ. We must remember His coming.

The Greatest Gift

In the midst of all the presents we receive and the gifts we give, let us remember the greatest gift we've ever been given: eternal life! Yes, we've been given Jesus the Lover of our souls, but remember the blessed gift He has given us - eternal life. It's our free gift with salvation, our comfort in life, and our joy in death. Our lives are eternal if we believe in Jesus. We will one day live forever with Him. (oh, the precious thought!)

This gift we've been given is available for everyone. Do we think of sharing this gift with loved ones this season? With friends and neighbors, co-workers and parents? How I stand convicted. The gospel is the perfect gift for everyone: man, woman, boy or girl. We must only be faithful in following the Holy Spirit's leading to share it.

Come, Lord Jesus

As you read the Christmas story from Matthew and Luke this season, I recommend also reading Revelation chapters 21 and 22. These chapters wrap up the written Word of God and wrap my heart in Christ's love and the excitement of His coming. They add a "bigger" realm to His birth, more passion to this life, and a greater knowledge to why He came and the results of His return.

"Behold, I am coming quickly..." (Rev. 22:12) "The Spirit and the bride (that's us!) say, "Come"... "Come, Lord Jesus." (Rev. 22:17, 20) May your heart rejoice in His coming; first, in His birth, second, in His great return to take us home!

Come again, sweet Jesus.