It's that time again...

You know, I realized yesterday that Christmas is upon us...and I have not done a lot of Christmasy things this year. Sure, I (finally) decorated my cozy cottage and have tried to remember to plug in the Christmas tree every evening whether I'm going to be home or not so that the brilliant lights can be enjoyed by all---inside or out. And we've been singing (alt-rock arrangements) of Christmas carols at church for the past couple of weeks. And I've been playing some Christmas music in the car, doing a little (not enough) shopping...

But my heart has not been experiencing Christmas amidst the hustle and bustle of the year's ending. I'm encouraged and reminded during our great Sunday sermons but, during the week, I'm not experiencing Advent---remembering and celebrating the monumental event that this season should be all about. God made man. Peace made actually possible---between God and man, and among men. The erradication of sin and death set in motion. A Savior come to heal, restore, rescue, redeem and transform. A Savior come to save me from myself.

In all honesty, I was going to post a little paragraph about Christmas and then move on to post a quiz. But this is way more important for me to do, for myself if for no one else! So meditate with me on these things (from John 1, Isaiah 9 and Philippians 2):

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made.

...Christ Jesus: who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.

For to us a child is born,
to us a son is given,
and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called Wonderful Counselor,
Mighty God, Everlasting Father,
Prince of Peace.

Of the increase of his government and peace there will be no end.
He will reign on David's throne and over his kingdom,
establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness
from that time on and forever.
The zeal of the LORD Almighty will accomplish this.

The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.

He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God---children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband's will, but born of God.

May the peace of Christmas be made real in your heart this very day.