Merry Christmas!
Two thousand years ago, the first Christmas was joyfully introduced by the heavenly host praising God and saying, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom His favor rests" (Luke 2:14). The long-awaited "Prince of Peace" had arrived (Isaiah 9:6), just as had been prophesied: a virgin birth (Isaiah 7:14), born of the seed of a woman (Genesis 3:15); descendant from the line of Jesse (Isaiah 11:1; John 7:42); born in a little town called Bethlehem (Micah 5:2); a humble beginning, a labor of love.
All the painful challenges, difficulties, persecutions, trials, criticisms, mocking, insults, misunderstandings, the long journey, and harsh conditions that had defined the previous months, were suddenly a distant memory as the cry of the newborn baby filled the air with the hope of a promised fulfilled. "Those who sow in tears will reap with songs of joy. He who goes out weeping, carrying seed to sow, will return with songs of joy, carrying sheaves with him" (Psalm 126:5-6).
Mary humbly accepted the message the Lord had given her and availed herself as a willing vessel for the purposes of God (reference Luke 1:38). With Joseph by her side, all the troubles and sorrows that accompanied their obedient response to God's call reaped a harvest of inexplicable joy as they held in their arms the greatest gift bestowed upon mankind - Jesus Christ, the Savior of the world!
The path of obedience is filled with promise, but it is not without pain, as this young couple learned from the onset of their marriage. Nor would it be the end of the challenges they faced as they continued on with the task of nurturing and caring for the living "Word of God." The greatest trial lay yet ahead, as this most precious gift from God would endure the greatest suffering and shame put upon man, so that all would have opportunity receive God's ultimate gift of salvation (reference Hebrews 12:2-3).
God's ways are not our ways. Praise God His ways are much higher (reference Isaiah 55:8-9). He chooses "the foolish things of the world", "the weak things", "the lowly things, "the despised things", and "the things that are not," to "destroy the wisdom of the wise" and to frustrate "the intelligence of the intelligent." He came to tear down the flimsy walls of our religiousity, laying down instead a solid rock foundation through the sacrificial work of Jesus Christ on the cross (reference Isaiah 29:14; 1 Corinthians 1:19, 27-31; 3:11). His labor of love laid the cornerstone for His kingdom that would be built through the faithful and obedient work of all who would come to believe in Him (reference Ephesians 2:20)
God is in the business of building relationships and bringing wholeness and healing to His people. However, the process can be a painful one. As we celebrate this season of joy there are many around us who may be experiencing anything but peace and joy. There are many for whom this time of year is a bitter reminder of pain and loss. For others, the trials and difficulties of the past year may be impossible to shelve when others are so "joyful and triumphant." Personally, as a family, we faced one of greatest trials this year as we walked through "the valley of the shadow of death" with the tragic loss of a beloved family member. It was one of our most painful experiences to date and has left a void in our hearts this Christmas. For this reason my heart, and prayers, go out to those of you who are experiencing such heartache this Christmas. I pray that the pain and void you are experiencing will be filled with the overwhelming love of God. He loves you so much!
The Lord, who is ever vigilant about building His kingdom, sent a friend with this poem to lift me up in my darkest hour. I praise God that He has a purpose for all our pain:
The THORN
by Martha Snell Nicholson
I stood a mendicant of God before His royal throne
And begged Him for one priceless gift which I could call my own.
I took the gift from out His hand but as I would depart,
I cried, "But, Lord, this is a thorn and it has pierced my heart.
This is a strange, a hurtful gift, which Thou hast given me."
He said, "My child, I give good gifts and gave My best to thee."
I took it home and though at first the cruel thorn hurt but sore,
As long years passed I learned at last to love it more and more.
I learned He never gives a thorn without His added grace,
He takes the thorn to pin aside the veil that hides His face.
At the end of a long and tiring journey, only able to find rest on the floor of a hard, cold cave, Mary focused on the promise of God as she went into labor. The painful journey ended with the holy privilege of gazing into the face of God. This is the destination for all who choose to believe God's promises and accept the path He has laid out. It is often only in great trial that we realize our great need for God and it is here that He will not disappoint. He will never leave us nor forsake us (reference Joshua 1:5, 9), He will not slumber nor sleep (reference Psalm 121:3), He is always with us (reference Matthew 1:23). He came to us in our darkest hour and filled our greatest need with the most extraordinary expression of His love (reference John 3:16-17). "My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness" (2 Corinthians 12:9a).
Over two thousand years ago the silence that covered the earth like a heavy veil of darkness was broken through with the glorious light and triumphant sound of an angelic announcement of good news (reference Luke 2:9-14). Today God is still speaking; searching for ears that will hear and hearts that will respond. "For the eyes of the LORD range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to Him" (2 Chronicles 16:9a). The Lord is always revealing Himself to us in unique and extraordinary ways, desiring to capture our full attention and to captivate us with His overwhelming love, longing to astound us "with wonder upon wonder" (Isaiah 29:14a). God has given us the wonderful gift of Christmas, positioned at the end of each year, to remind us of the lengths He will go to tell us "I LOVE YOU!" His desire is to prepare us to look ahead with hope for the future with our eyes fixed firmly on Jesus. This year may we give Him opportunity to remove the cloak of pain that is weighing heavy upon us and allow Him to pin back the veil that is blocking our view of His glorious love and grace. May His promises guide us through the coming year ahead and draw us into deeper levels of intimacy with the One Who has endured great labor and pain to show us the full extent of His love!
by Ronnie Freeman
YouTube Video
God loves you and invites you each day to experience the fullness of His love as you spend time in His Word in prayer. This year we invite you to join us as we journey into the depths of God's great Labor of Love as we offer up the firstfruits of the New Year with a sacrifice of 40 days of prayer and fasting beginning January 1st, 2010 (see below to register). Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be wth you all (2 Thessalonians 3:18),
Traci Alexander
Trumpet and Torch Ministries
Psalm 27:4, 13-14
"Did I not tell you that if you believed, you would see the glory of God?" (John 11:40)
