Christmas is here again! It is hard to believe that another holiday season is nearly over. I love this time of year for many different reasons.
This year I find myself playing the role of the expectant parent who longingly looks out the window for the arrival of an adult child. Later today, I will travel to the Ontario airport to pick up Christina and bring her home for a few short days. We are excited to receive her. We feel fortunate, that she is able to be here during these special days.
A Loving Father
I love the spirit of gift giving that is so closely tied to the holiday season. For me, there is no greater exercise than considering the individual needs of those I love, and then deciding on a gift that meets the need. I love giving the unexpected gift. There is no other way to say it, I just love the feeling of giving.
As I strive to be a loving father to my children, I am reminded of my loving Father in Heaven. He loves giving us good gifts too. I am thankful to know Him and even more thankful to know that He knows me. There are no words to express how wonderful it is to know that I am a child of God. This knowledge confirms my individual worth and breathes purpose into my life.
The Greatest Gift
Christmas was originally established to commemorate the world's receipt of our Heavenly Father's greatest gift. He loved us, so He sent us His Son. He gave us this Gift so that there could be a way back. A way in which each of us could overcome the world and return to be with Him again.
The Gift was given to us with no strings attached. We are free to accept or reject it. He said that He gave us this Gift to save us, not to condemn us. We can only receive this Gift if we are willing to see the wisdom in this great message. It is a message of hope and of life, not a message of death and despair.
If we want the world to receive the message of Christmas, then we, the believers of Christ, must be similarly willing to share this message. No one should feel forced to receive it. Agency is a principal component of the Gift. His example of freely giving is the one we must follow.
A Great Example
Shortly after I finished playing the role of Joseph in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, I was cast to play the part of Jesus in the dramatical production of Godspell. I did not audition for this role, and at first I was reluctant to accept it. For obvious reasons, I just didn't feel like I could measure up.
The director encouraged me to thoughtfully consider the opportunity. As I did, I began to see it as a way for me to raise my personal bar. I knew that I could not authentically portray this role without developing an even greater love and understanding of the life of Jesus Christ. The thought of increasing my faith and living a more Christlike life thrilled my entire being.
I accepted the role and began a serious study of His life. This study is bringing a new light to my eyes. I am beginning to see things in a way that I have never seen them before. I am doubtful that I can authentically portray this incredible role model, but the more I seek to follow Him, the more I hear His voice assuring me that He will fill in the gaps of my inadequacies. The incomprehensible is becoming clear and I am seeing how my one voice can add to His glory.
I am not ashamed to say that, now more than ever, I am trying to be like Jesus. In all my searching, I am unable to find a more worthy mentor and role model.
Merry Christmas
Jesus, is the reason for the season. May those of us who proclaim to be His disciples shine the light of love to the world. May we never engage in judging or condemning others. May each of us remember his great request. He said, "As I have loved you, love one another." Then he told us that our acts of love would be the measure in which others would identify us as His disciples.
To all who will read this post, I humbly declare that His gospel is a message of peace and goodwill. He wants us to follow His example. He walked the roads of Palestine healing the sick, causing the blind to see, and raising the dead. He wants us to walk in our communities using our gifts and talents to bring others hope and light. When we follow Him, we understand the joy of lifting and building others. He is the Way.
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