Years ago a colleague did this reading to this music in a faculty meeting. I immediately read it to my classes and then, in Charlottesville, it became a Christmas Chapel tradition and then at the annual Live Nativity. Those days are past so here it is for those who remember or for those who have not heard it before.
Thoughts on Christmas
Today there will be last minute trips to the store, the final wrapping of gifts, greeting family and friends, lots of cooking, for some there will be Christmas Eve services.
I remember my one Christmas in Budapest. Days before, signs were posted in the public transit informing the public that at about 3 pm on Christmas Eve the transit system would shift to night busses only until the morning of the 26th. Things really shut down. Christmas Eve night Sweet Anna and I walked a half hour or so through the cold snowy quiet from our daughter’s home to where we were staying. A silent night it truly was.
Then the next morning we went back for Christmas.
Upon our arrival something was needed from a store. The only thing open was a 24 hour shop the size of a closet. After I made my purchase I walked across the street to the local parish which was in the middle of one of many Christmas masses. It was packed with all ages. I hope they understood the real story.
In Cambridge, England today that story will be told. the annual Lessons and Carols event will originate from King’s College Chapel at 10 U.S. Eastern time… Click here for more it is a helpful reminder to me each year of what the whole Christmas is: from the Fall to the promise and then Redemption.
Here are Scriptures I’ve been meditating on:
For God so loved the world…
For unto you is born this day in the city of David a savior who is Christ the Lord…
Therefore since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ…
How wonderful that the Prince of Peace has come to this world.
We live in a busy culture that rarely slows down.
Why not slow down today and consider the good news that the Incarnation happened so that you may live in a state of peace with God who sent His only begotten Son so that you and I can be His sons and daughters.
Merry Christmas!
Filed under being a disciple, culture, disciple making, seeking understanding
someone will have to tell me I died
What?
I was having coffee with a guy the other day and we were talking about an author that both of us appreciate. This writer has had a great impact on the both of us. He told me that it was said near his death that this writer said that “someone will have to tell me I died.”
The idea is that the Christian life is one of growing so close to God in our prayer, in our reading of Scripture, in our relationships, in our day to day life that we have gotten to the point where we have disciplined ourselves into the joy of living in the very presence of God here on earth.
This, I think was what Jesus meant in the high priestly prayer of John, this, is I think what Paul was urging us toward in his letters.
Being a Christian is not just about getting to heaven. Being a Christian is the kingdom of heaven now.
This I think may very well be one of the better understandings of Immanuel, God with us.
Now.
That’s what.
Do you give or receive counsel? See below…
If you are in the habit of giving or receiving advice, the following article should be helpful to you.
pastors and leaders: important article for you and your team to read and discuss
This is a pretty long article that describes causes of and lessons from the failure of Mark Driscoll and the demise of Mars Hill.
It will take you a few minutes to read but there are so many important lessons to be learned that I urge you to read it and discuss with your team/elders/staff/mentor/fellow-disciple/or whomever. (If you’re out there all by yourself and have none of these, get a’hold of me.)
Filed under experience, leadership, seeking understanding
kingdom travelin' 