Sunday, December 20, 2015

Taking Time To Reflect

Years ago, when my children were little, there was a popular book circulating the Christian mommy circle. It was called "Let's Make a Memory", by Gloria Gaither and Shirley Dobson.
It challenged moms to create traditions for our little ones. 
It's been a long time since I've even had the book but I do remember that repetition was key to solitary events becoming traditions. 



I took this book to heart. 
So much so that by the late 90s, I felt like I was re-living the same Christmas over and over again. 
 We were cranking out Christmas traditions by rote.  



Every Christmas Eve we put up the dorky stocking that I made in 1983 and every Christmas Eve my children couldn't remember which was theirs. 
I would wake up on December 26th sad that it was over and sad that I forgot to really take some time to reflect on the birth of Christ, the Advent of Christ. 


December can be full of good things to the extent that the best things are sometimes left out. 


I would forget to stop and reflect on the reality of His birth. 
 With that in mind, let me share one of my favorite Christmas scriptures with you.  



Isaiah 9: 2-7
The people walking in darkness
    have seen a great light;
on those living in the land of deep darkness
    a light has dawned.
You have enlarged the nation
    and increased their joy;
they rejoice before you
    as people rejoice at the harvest,
as warriors rejoice
    when dividing the plunder.
For as in the day of Midian’s defeat,
    you have shattered
the yoke that burdens them,
    the bar across their shoulders,
    the rod of their oppressor.
Every warrior’s boot used in battle
    and every garment rolled in blood
will be destined for burning,
    will be fuel for the fire.
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 greatness 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.



This prophecy was written 700 years before Christ was born. 
The conclusion of Malachi and the beginning of Matthew was about 400 years. 
There was 400 years of no new prophecy. 
They are referred to as the silent years
I can imagine them to be dark years.     
We can relate to the dark world in which Jesus came.
Our world is dark but just as God had his hand in the events during the years of silence, we can be reminded that He has His hand in the events of today. 
He has not removed his hand from us.

We are in a different type of advent today.


We that believe He came and was born in Bethlehem aren't waiting for His arrival. 
We are waiting for His return.


Then everyone will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds with great power and glory. 
Mark 12:26 

Have a blessed week!
Katie   

 



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