I received a Christmas card in the mail yesterday. Although I have loved every card I have gotten, this one got my attention. At first glance you wouldn't think so. It wasn't fancy. It wasn't glittery. It wasn't a beautiful family photo. It was a simple card. But it was the simple, yet not so simple words my aunt had written on the inside that stirred me then and were still stirring me this morning when I woke. Here's what she wrote:
Many blessings for a happy and holy Christmas!
Love,
Lola and Larry
Friends we go through this season wishing Merry Christmas to those we love and we really do mean it, but I don't ever recall being wished a HOLY Christmas.
And that is what Christmas is.
So deeply holy.
And that is what Christmas is.
So deeply holy.
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With my aunt's wishes for a Holy Christmas echoing in my mind, I read from Isaiah this morning asking Him to remind me of Holy as I go through the activities of today and tomorrow. And as I read, words that I had not noticed until now got my attention in Isaiah 53:5.
Our well-being.
If He didn't care about us, He wouldn't mention our well-being. He was concerned about my well-being and yours.
The chastening for our well-being fell upon Him.
As I dug a little deeper into this word "well-being", here's what I found it means in the original language:
Peace, friendship with God
Peace in war
Safety
Welfare
Completeness
That's what makes this all Holy.
There was punishment due for my sin and yours, and that fell upon him so that it didn't have to fall upon you and me. He was concerned about our well-being and did what He could to protect it. And because He took that punishment for us, my sinful state is no longer at war with God. I have peace with Him and He calls me friend.
I am safe.
I am complete.
But although He did this, although He already took the chastening, it is not automatic for you and me. Until we acknowledge our sin and our need for what He did to pay for it on our behalf, our manger is still empty.
We can celebrate Christmas all we want. It can be the merriest of times.
But it isn't holy.
The Savior has not yet come - for you.
You are not at peace with Him.
You are not safe.
You are not complete.
Your manger is still empty.
But it doesn't have to be.
As I close this post today, I could wish you a Merry Christmas, but that would not be enough. I want more for you, friend, so as my aunt wished me and my family,
Our well-being.
If He didn't care about us, He wouldn't mention our well-being. He was concerned about my well-being and yours.
The chastening for our well-being fell upon Him.
As I dug a little deeper into this word "well-being", here's what I found it means in the original language:
Peace, friendship with God
Peace in war
Safety
Welfare
Completeness
That's what makes this all Holy.
There was punishment due for my sin and yours, and that fell upon him so that it didn't have to fall upon you and me. He was concerned about our well-being and did what He could to protect it. And because He took that punishment for us, my sinful state is no longer at war with God. I have peace with Him and He calls me friend.
I am safe.
I am complete.
But although He did this, although He already took the chastening, it is not automatic for you and me. Until we acknowledge our sin and our need for what He did to pay for it on our behalf, our manger is still empty.
We can celebrate Christmas all we want. It can be the merriest of times.
But it isn't holy.
The Savior has not yet come - for you.
You are not at peace with Him.
You are not safe.
You are not complete.
Your manger is still empty.
But it doesn't have to be.
As I close this post today, I could wish you a Merry Christmas, but that would not be enough. I want more for you, friend, so as my aunt wished me and my family,
Be at peace with Him this Christmas.
Be called His friend.
Be safe.
Be complete.
If you want to know more about Him, I will be glad to show you, just leave a comment below.
Be called His friend.
Be safe.
Be complete.
If you want to know more about Him, I will be glad to show you, just leave a comment below.
