Tag: choosing Jesus

Gaze at the Christmas Tree, Differently . . .

(To be read for the children, both young and old, that our minds might be refreshed. Let a new picture unfold.)

O Christmas Tree! O Christmas Tree, how richly God has decked Thee:

Christmas is here! Look at the tree.

Sit and be still.

Let us gaze, differently.

It sits on its stand so high and so grand.

Wrapped in light, what a glorious sight,

bearing ornaments of love from each branch.

But think for a moment, living trees are far.

Alive and growing in beauty,

then, we come in our car.

We search.

We choose.

Then we cut down the tree.

We open our door and let it in, happily.

Broken and dead the tree had become,

yet, now beautifully alive.

Does this make you think of Someone?

The Christmas tree can be a picture of Jesus.

He came down from heaven to die on the cross.

to be cut and broken . . .  

for each one of us.

He rose again, in glory and light.

Just like the ChristmasTree that we now have inside.

What happens to a heart, much like the door, that allows the cut Vine a place on the floor?

No longer distant, but close.

Now near.

Jesus died that all of our guilt is cleared.

We ask Him in.

We believe in His love.

We call on Jesus,

for His promises of Love.

“I will never leave you.

 I will never forsake.

I am your helper. You no longer need be afraid.

Call on Me.

I will answer.

I Am your Bright and Morning Star.

I Am your light,

your glory.

I make new all you are.

Believe.

And bring Christmas to others throughout the year.

I make you a blessing, a gift, each day.

Seek, to be still, . . . know Me . . .draw near.

And, I in turn, will draw near to you. 

that you might shine for Me in all you do.

O Christmas Tree! O Christmas Tree!
How richly God has decked thee!
Thou bidst us true and faithful be,
And trust in God unchangingly.
O Christmas Tree! O Christmas Tree!

A Salvation Story. Do I come out of the rain?

God holds the Umbrella that I come out of the rain.
Why the struggle? Why the delay?
God holds the Umbrella. He cares about me.
Did I forget? Or did I simply leave?
Do I find contentment in lies that bring strife? Am I choosing to destroy my very own life?
Can I make the choice to step out of the comforts of despair?
Or do I keep my head down on the puddles, believing lies of being victim. Staying, pitifully there.
He bids me with thunder and lightning to fear and to look. In the Light, through the flash,
I see the hand of His Son.
It’s reached out towards me.
Then I see His face.
His eyes, . . .
are grace.
He calls my name. I hear the words,”Come.” 
Directly in my heart, I feel Him look.
Burning.
Revelation comes, Truth is alive.
He waits.
Immediately, there’s strength that wasn’t there.  Hope to lay down the shame. To cast off the pain.
God is offering me to come out of the rain.
Again, He calls my name.
Do I receive Him and take hold of His hand?
Why is it so hard? Why would I choose to stay out in the cold? To reject the dance. To stay wet in distress?
In an instant I choose.
I lift my eyes to meet His.
In an instant my garments are made new. Gloriously cleansed. I take hold of His hands. With all of my being, I know at last, I have found Love. He loved me first.
He desires me.
The rain is still falling, but I don’t even care. Because Love has captured all of my being. Love has called me. He has lifted me up.
I turn to kiss His cheek. He smiles.
He is pleased.
Everything new, everything possible, we dance, and we dance under the grand Umbrella. The canopy of protection, with a symphony of grace.  As it rains,  Love and I look face to face.
With a long-lost song that returns in my heart, I will sing as I dance, and make day of the night.