Happy weird-week-between-Christmas-and-New-Year, everyone! The week where you probably should go back to work, but it still feels holidayish. Is it too early to take down Christmas? I probably should while I'm off, but the couch is inviting me to sit a while. Should I throw out all of the Christmas leftovers, or should I rearrange them on a festive tray to serve on New Year's Eve? 😂 Should I shop for all the after Christmas clearance sales, or should I stay home and treasure what I already have? By the time I make up my mind on any of these dilemmas, it's somehow already past noon (I think, I haven't checked the time in a week....) and so I accomplish nothing. Can anyone relate???
Our family started our Christmas break at the beach. We surprised the 5 grandkids, who didn't know they were going to the beach until they left home, or even until they got there. Pulling off this great surprise started months earlier, with text messaged plans between the adults (which was much easier before these grandbabies learned to read!!) and whispered conversations while the kids were playing away from us. We laughed about times we each almost accidentally spilled the beans, and teared up anticipating the surprise on their little faces. They did not disappoint-- there was great joy, days of it!!
I am so many days behind on my trip through the Bible this year. So many days that it seems deceptive to measure by days; more honestly weeks behind. Not to rationalize my failure, but I know without a doubt that I am still in the gospels for a reason. I needed the reminder that it's ok to hold fear and joy at the same time. I needed to soak in the example we have in the life of Jesus.
With Christmas only days behind us, you all know I'm going to start with the shepherds and angels.
"In the same region, shepherds were staying out in the fields and keeping watch at night over their flocks. Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them 'Do not be afraid, for look, I proclaim to you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the city of David a Savior was born for you, who is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be the sign for you: You will find a baby wrapped tightly in cloth and lying in a manger." Luke 2:8-12
I can 100% imagine their fear. As you might have picked up from past blog posts, my bent is toward being scared of everything, real and imagined. They were terrified when they saw an angel, I would've been too scared to be out in the field in the first place. This newborn baby was worthy of the appearance and proclamation from an angel of the Lord. It was good news, great joy that drives out fear. And the shepherds ran with it!
The birth of Jesus is great news worthy of celebrating to this day. God became flesh and lived among us. John said it best:
"And there are also many things that Jesus did, which, if every one of them were written down, I suppose not even the world itself could contain the books that would be written." John 21:25
His ministry was full of physical healing. His ministry proclaimed His divine power over the sin that so easily trips us up and weighs us down. And then...they crucified Him. 33ish years after an angel proclaimed to Mary that Jesus would be born of her through the Holy Spirit, 33 years after a multitude of angels lit up the sky with songs of praise at His birth, Jesus was killed. Great fear among His followers. Understandable, honestly. But 3 days later....
"After the Sabbath, as the first day of the week was dawning, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to view the tomb. There was a violent earthquake, because an angel of the Lord descended from heaven and approached the tomb. He rolled back the stone and was sitting on it. His appearance was like lightning, and his clothing was as white as snow. The guards were so shaken by fear of him that they became like dead men. The angel told the women, "Don't be afraid, because I know you are looking for Jesus who was crucified. He is not here. For He has risen, just as He said. Come and see the place where He lay. Then go quickly and tell His disciples, 'He has risen from the dead and indeed He is going ahead of you to Galilee; you will see Him there.' Listen, I have told you." Matthew 28:1-7
"Don't be afraid" seems like a huge ask. They've spent days in fear and now-- just like that-- they are expected to not be afraid? The week before our joy-filled trip to the beach, I was filled with great fear. My daughter, Kayla, had a huge health scare. Like potentially life and death. (It's her story to tell and she has and I know she will.) As her mother, I struggled. I sobbed. I pleaded with God. I stayed up all night to worry. I slept to avoid thinking about it. I looked in the mirror, face swollen and tears streaming, and scolded myself for my fear, saying "I thought you always said Christ will hold you fast?" I knew He always has and always will, but I didn't want the suffering--for her, for us, for me. I was sore, sore, sore afraid.
The birth of Jesus-- Christmas--begins with comfort from fear and great joy. The resurrection of Jesus--Easter--is the other bookend and it looks much the same way--comfort from fear and great joy. We may find these bookends in our situations too. God was faithful to comfort us in our fear, AND He brought us great joy when her health scare turned into a benign diagnosis. (Through His miraculous power, you will never convince me otherwise.) Or we may not see the healing we pray for this side of heaven. But there is still comfort and joy to be found. Because God is with us.
I know I'll be afraid of something again. I know I'll pack my nerve pills in my suitcase again as I travel toward the unknown. I'll carry the fear because I'm human. I pray I'll carry joy because He is with me. And I know I'll have the witness of my ancient sisters in Christ behind me...
"So, departing quickly from the tomb with fear AND great joy, they ran to tell His disciples the news. Just then Jesus met them and said "Greetings!" They came up, took hold of His feet, and worshiped Him." Matthew 28:8-9 (emphasis mine)
Fear. Joy. Worship.
"The sun comes up, it's a new day dawning. It's time to sing Your song again. Whatever may pass, or whatever lies before me. Let me be singing when the evening comes."
No comments:
Post a Comment