Please be encouraged you Mississippi Moms if any of you are still putting up Christmas decorations. I have taken down all the cedar limbs but I think I’ll probably have dead cedar needles in my house forever!
Actually it’s OK! It’s still winter and Epiphany was just celebrated a couple of weeks ago! In Mississippi the weather has alternated between hot, warm, rainy, cold and then this week, we actually had SNOW!
As an aside, we actually had more snow in one day that my brother Dan has had all winter, north of CHICAGO! Really! I’m quoting David Hartman, our favorite weatherman!
Enjoy some new memories as you put Christmas decorations away. Stop and ponder how God was and is at work in your world!
Pondering Gathered Things to Pack Away
- Candle. A friend gave me this candle years ago with the then
popular slogan: “Wise men STILL seek Him! ” Have I noticed the emphasis before? I am seeking wisdom in the New Year and am reading a Proverb a day in this month of thirty-one days. James promises us God gives wisdom with faith (James 1:5).
- Sweat Shirt. Ordered in the color navy, one year in an after-
Christmas sale. It came in white and I’ve enjoyed wearing it seasonally. Just gave a devotional for Upward Basketball and I wore the devotional! Smile.
- Gold Music Notes. I decorated an entire tree one year with garlands
of music notes. This year recycled, we enjoyed them here and on a wreath above the piano. Music is such an important part of Christmas and everyday!
Jesus gives hope, peace, joy and love to the world!
- Gold pillow. Given to me by a friend when her business closed.
Gold was one of three gifts brought by Magi to the baby Messiah!
What New Memories from This Christmas?
I love when a phrase from oft-practiced Christmas music, begins to sing in my spirit! Chris Tomlin and Ed Cash were inspired to condense a stunning fact of Biblical history into a short phrase that captured my ear and heart.
God did not speak to His people for the long period between the Old and New Testaments of the Holy Bible. There was darkness and fear. Today the Good News is the message of the entire Bible. Our church choir sang this truth!
“What hope we hold this starlit night, a King is born in Bethlehem. Our journey long, we seek the light that leads to the hallowed manger ground.”
“What fear we felt in the silent age, four-hundred years, can He be found; But broken by a baby’s cry; Rejoice in the hallowed manger ground. Emmanuel! Emmanuel! God with us!”
(“Hallowed Manger Ground,” Tomlin and Cash, © 2009)
The fear felt during the silent age was broken by the cry of baby Jesus! Christ in us the hope of glory! Beautifully expressed and significant!
Epiphany
Don’t you love a new calendar or a new journal with fresh clean pages! Some new 2013 calendars show the word, “Epiphany” in January. The ancient Magi had been searching the heavens. When they saw an unusual sight they pursued the star with purpose. Bearing gifts for the new King they set out on their journey to worship and present their gifts. Epiphany is Greek, to manifest or show forth. The last day of “The Twelve Days of Christmas” is January 6th, Epiphany. Emmanuel: God is with us! The Good News of the Gospel!
Follow the Star
A second truth that grabbed my mind and heart this past Christmas season was an Old Testament reference from the Peneteuch, the first five books of the Law. Reading and teaching through some of the Old Testament prophets brings stunning truths by God’s Holy Spirit.
The far eastern wise men had access to the Jewish prophecy in the Septuagint, the Greek translation of the Hebrew Scriptures. They knew and had studied the prophecy as well as studying the heavens. My heart was challenged by a seemingly obscure verse telling of a special star. In Numbers, this reference: “…A star shall come out of Jacob; a Scepter shall rise out of Israel.” (Numbers 24:16-19).
The scholars took gifts and traveled a long way to see the promised new born King. They went prepared to worship and present their gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. Many religious leaders knew and obeyed the letter the law but missed Messiah.
Taking down our olive wood manger from Bethlehem, I almost lost a wise man! He fell into a dead poinsettia but was rescued. Don’t miss this Christmas message:
In our dark and threatening world, the Christ of Christmas gives us whatever we need for the New Year! He is Hope, Peace, Joy, Love, Forgiveness…what ever we need! He is all the words, He is The Word!
The poignant words of poet Christina Rossetti are appropriate for 2013:
“What can I give Him? …
Yet what I can I give Him, Give my heart.”
Happy New Year, Moms and friends! My granddaughter taught me how to make a heart. Turn your head sideways and smile! Love, Nana <3
