Last evening was our local church's Christmas Eve Candlelight Communion Celebration. For the message portion of the sacred gathering, I shared one right set of answers for telling and illustrating clearly to all people, especially the children -- yes the future generations among us -- the real meaning of Christmas:
1. CHRISTMAS TREE -- Object Lesson: A Fir tree or an evergreen branch -- the pure green represents life year-round, everlasting hope, and the needles point heavenward reminding us our thoughts also should turn towards heaven.
2. HEAVENLY SIGN -- Object Lesson: A Star -- distant stars in the sky remind us of the promises God made long ago. God promised a Savior for the world, and the Star over Bethlehem was proof that God kept that promise and stars today should remind us that God still keeps His promises.
3. RADIANT LIGHT -- Object Lesson: A Candle -- Christ is the Light of the World, and with His presence in us we are now reflctors of His light to our world. His Light (Hope) destroyed Our Darkness (Hopelessness).
4. INFINITE LOVE -- Object Lesson: A Wreath -- symbolizes the eternal nature of love. Yes, like a circular wreath, true love never ends.
5. SAINT NICK -- Object Lesson: An Ornament of Santa, Father Christmas, St. Nick, Santa Claus simply illustrates to us the generosity we practice and the good will that we extend to one another especially during December, but also beyond December.
6. TWINKLING LIGHTS -- Object Lesson: A string of lights -- The power of Unity, yes, joining our little lights together produces an ever-increasing reflection of Jesus, The Light of the World, so that we can also BE LIGHT & GO SHINE and make our world delightfully different for His glory. Jesus said, "They will know that you are my disciples if you love one another." -- John 13:35 (NIV)
7. CANDY CANE -- Object Lesson: A Candy Cane -- represents the shepherd's crook/staff. The purpose in part is to bring lost sheep back into the presence of The Good Shepherd. Also, a reminder that we are our sister's/brother's keeper.
8. HOLLY HANGING -- Object Lesson: Holly Leaves and Red Berries -- The holly plant represents immortality and the crown of thorns Jesus wore when He was hanging on the Tree to save us from sin. Yes He died painfully and bled to free us, yes to save us "from" sin. He didn't come so we could be freed "to" sin.
9. INDESCRIBABLE GIFT -- Object Lesson: A Wrapped Gift -- represents John 3:16-17... "For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son..." Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift -- 2 Corinthians 9:15. Also, earthly kings bowed before the Eternal Baby King, bringing the best gifts they could afford.
10. LOUD BELLS -- Object Lesson: A Bell -- Lost sheep are often found by the sound of a bell. It brings them/us to the fold. The sound of bells is symbolic of guidance and return. "Christmas bells call us home to the embrace of Father God." Silver bells equals Salvation Army Bell ringers. (See Youtube link below to illustrate loud bells leading sheep to the fold.)
11. DIVINE ANGELS -- Object Lesson: An Angel -- Angels came to the world with the message of Good News... "unto (you) _________ (put your name in the blank) is born this day, a Savior, which is Christ the Lord..." "Glory to God in the highest, on earth, peace and good will to those on whom His favor rests..."
If you take the first letter from each of the eleven numbered clues above, note that you have the real meaning of Christmas simply but profoundly defined: C-H-R-I-S-T C-H-I-L-D!
Isaiah 9:6 (NLT) -- For a Child is born to us, a Son is given to us.
Enjoy this Youtube clip that helps to validate #10 above -- "Loud Bells leading sheep to the fold". Watch the whole clip. It's in a foreign language but the point is quite clear, just watch the sheep and listen for the loud bell to ring:
Click > http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=133H90eDai4&NR=1
As we look at our decorated Christmas trees, especially on Christmas Day, let us never forget that One Day of Passion when God the Son hung on the Tree, not as an ornament, no not as a mere decoration, but as an undeniable and mighty demonstration. Yes, He hung there as an object of God the Father's Amazing Love for you and for me.
A Real and Meaningful Merry Christmas To You and Yours!
Grateful
P.S. Outside right now, a light snow is falling steadily. A white Christmas adds even more meaning to this sacred day. Psalm 51:7 -- Wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.
Showing posts with label future generations. Show all posts
Showing posts with label future generations. Show all posts
Saturday, December 25, 2010
Sunday, September 5, 2010
The Holy Highlights
Recently, my twenty-three-year-old son and I have had the blessed privilege of traveling out-of-town together on two occasions (and to be honest we have a third one on the calendar). While all of our roadtrips are sporting event destinations, I can honestly say that "the journey has been the destination" in each instance.
Indeed, on the highways and backroads to and from the sporting events, the totally vulnerable and heart-warming hours of sharing between daddy and son about earthly life, eternal life, and especially the marvelous mysteries of the Mind of Christ have been the holy highlights. Yes, the journeying conversations together have been much more full of wonder than the actual destinations.
Deuteronomy 6:5-9 (NIV) -- (5) Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. (6) These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. (7) Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. (8) Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. (9) Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates.
My Faithful God, I am humbled, grateful, and speechless for Your blessings in my life. In the Name of Jesus, I desperately pray that future generations of our family will be told about the Lord. Let me stay in the Destination Conversation with my loved ones. Most of all I desire that our family circle will be unbroken in-the-sky, Lord, by-and-by. Amen.
Future generations will be told about the Lord. -- Psalm 22:30 (NIV)
IF MY PEOPLE... WILL? I WILL! God's Promise in 2 Chron. 7:14.
Grateful
Indeed, on the highways and backroads to and from the sporting events, the totally vulnerable and heart-warming hours of sharing between daddy and son about earthly life, eternal life, and especially the marvelous mysteries of the Mind of Christ have been the holy highlights. Yes, the journeying conversations together have been much more full of wonder than the actual destinations.
Deuteronomy 6:5-9 (NIV) -- (5) Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. (6) These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. (7) Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. (8) Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. (9) Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates.
My Faithful God, I am humbled, grateful, and speechless for Your blessings in my life. In the Name of Jesus, I desperately pray that future generations of our family will be told about the Lord. Let me stay in the Destination Conversation with my loved ones. Most of all I desire that our family circle will be unbroken in-the-sky, Lord, by-and-by. Amen.
Future generations will be told about the Lord. -- Psalm 22:30 (NIV)
IF MY PEOPLE... WILL? I WILL! God's Promise in 2 Chron. 7:14.
Grateful
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Twin Ministers: Presence & Absence
I've come to know that there are twins that minister in my life more than anything else. The twins are named Presence and Absence.
In John 16:7, the Lord told His disciples (and I paraphrase): I know you think having me visibly present in a good thing, but when I leave you visibly, things will go from good to great for you. Yes, in My absence, the ministry of My presence will go from "with you" to "within you". Yes, My Spirit will be "with you" and "within you" to constantly remind you of everything I told you when I was visibly present.
I don't pretend to be able to communicate in written form this awe-inspiring reality in my life as I am always being ministered to by the twin ministers -- Presence and Absence. However, let me just illustrate it like this:
When my godly Granny Margery was visibly present in my life, she allowed the Holy Spirit to minister the Life of Jesus through her, to me. It was an indescribable influence for her grandson. And since she has been noticeably absent from the body (*and without doubt is now present with her Lord) The Holy Spirit continues to undeniably minister the Life of Jesus to me in the unforgettable afterglow of Granny's life.
I'm pretty sure the best way to dumb down the delight in my soul is just to say: The longevity of holy lives lived for the glory of the Lord is the greatest of convincers on children and grandchildren, yes, when they are visibly present, but even more so when they are noticeably absent.
Future generations should, and must, be taught about the Lord, but let us never forget that being taught about the Lord is, at best, a weak substitute when compared with the impact of future generations being caught by the Lord in the afterglow of a loved one who has lived over the long haul for the glory of God!
* 2 Corinthians 5:8 (NKJV) -- We are confident, yes, well pleased rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord.
IF MY PEOPLE... WILL? I WILL! God's Promise in 2 Chron. 7:14.
Grateful
In John 16:7, the Lord told His disciples (and I paraphrase): I know you think having me visibly present in a good thing, but when I leave you visibly, things will go from good to great for you. Yes, in My absence, the ministry of My presence will go from "with you" to "within you". Yes, My Spirit will be "with you" and "within you" to constantly remind you of everything I told you when I was visibly present.
I don't pretend to be able to communicate in written form this awe-inspiring reality in my life as I am always being ministered to by the twin ministers -- Presence and Absence. However, let me just illustrate it like this:
When my godly Granny Margery was visibly present in my life, she allowed the Holy Spirit to minister the Life of Jesus through her, to me. It was an indescribable influence for her grandson. And since she has been noticeably absent from the body (*and without doubt is now present with her Lord) The Holy Spirit continues to undeniably minister the Life of Jesus to me in the unforgettable afterglow of Granny's life.
I'm pretty sure the best way to dumb down the delight in my soul is just to say: The longevity of holy lives lived for the glory of the Lord is the greatest of convincers on children and grandchildren, yes, when they are visibly present, but even more so when they are noticeably absent.
Future generations should, and must, be taught about the Lord, but let us never forget that being taught about the Lord is, at best, a weak substitute when compared with the impact of future generations being caught by the Lord in the afterglow of a loved one who has lived over the long haul for the glory of God!
* 2 Corinthians 5:8 (NKJV) -- We are confident, yes, well pleased rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord.
IF MY PEOPLE... WILL? I WILL! God's Promise in 2 Chron. 7:14.
Grateful
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