http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ulY2KPmpMwk
The Greatest Love
The link above takes you to a powerful and meaningful music video of a new Christmas song called "How Many Kings" by Downhere. It captures the AWE-inspiring reality that Jesus really was incarnated into this human life for you and for me. Being forever the God of the universe, the Creator who sustained the first breath of life for Adam and Eve, He humbled Himself first to the utter dependence of an infant and later to the pain and shame of death on a cross. Even more so, He bore the brunt of the Father's wrath for my sin and yours through that crucifixion. Everything that we totally deserve to suffer punishment for as we stand before a Holy God, Jesus the Savior willingly suffered in our places. Wow... Does that not bring tears to know that we are loved that much? Who of us would step in for another's punishment? Who among us would die so that another could live? And imagine dying for the very person who spits in your face and curses your name. Only God can love that much! Seriously, this video was such a great way to grasp more fully the mystery of Jesus' birth. I hope that you had a chance this Christmas break among all the busyness and the presents to dwell upon the love the Lord has for you and the passion with which He has reached out to bring you into His fold.
Our Christmas with Family
Greg and I had a wonderful time last week getting to see family during the Christmas holiday. It was a whirwind trip, but I truly enjoyed and savored every minute. When we went to see Mom, David, and Lauren, we enjoyed a church service of carols and communion and came back home to indulge in a huge spread of appetizers and treats. It was a new tradition to attend an afternoon Christmas Eve service rather than an evening candlelight one and to do finger foods rather than a sit down meal- we loved it! Everything was low key and we all got to bed at a good time. The best present we received was 2 boxes and a large envelope that were filled with pictures of people on Mom's side of the family (and of Lauren and me when we were kids) and a ton of laminated note cards containing countless family recipes. She had even written stories to go along with some of the recipes and pictures. It is priceless to have these pictures and recipes. The next morning we were up bright and early to see Greg's mom, dad, and sister Kristy. With 5 dogs in one house, we had as many of them as humans! Didn't need coffee to get me going that morning :-) It was a wonderful morning of sharing gifts and stories and a good warm breakfast. I am so blessed to have an inlaw family that feels so completely like family! Later on Christmas day, Greg and I enjoyed an incredible buffet lunch with my dad and stepmom, Ellen. We got to hear about their adventures in Spain earlier in the month and they graciously gave us 2 wines of our choice from Dad's collection. He has really done his research about wine, and it is a treat to have two exquisite bottles to enjoy.
God's Design: The Family Unit
I was reminded once again that God gave us the family unit to be a special vessel for learning about love and grace. He could have designed us to just be born and cared for by the community with no special connections or responsibilities. But he created Eve for Adam and joined them together as husband and wife. They bore Cain and Abel and raised them under their care. Cain and Abel weren't the poster children for loving your siblings, but here we first see the truth that sin is evident in relationships. The family is such a unique place to experience the Lord working in us. The only 2 people in a family that actually choose to live life with one another are the husband and wife (and this only in western cultures, right? Many other cultures arrange the marriages). The children do not choose their parents, or even the parents their children's personalities, looks, and talents. You inherit the family units of your inlaws and take on the commitment to them as you have made to your own. By living in a family, you learn to accept and love those who are different from you in thought and talent. You learn to sacrifice for your neighbor. And you learn to receive love and grace from those who would not have readily chosen you in their circle of people they find comfortable and exciting to be around. I love God's creativity! He knew that we would need a family in order to grow in love! And he extended this model to the body of Christ as well.
I hope you had a wonderful Christmas this year and that you were blessed by the remembrance of Christ's love for you.
Monday, December 29, 2008
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