Saturday, December 1, 2012

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!

It's Christmas time!!! And no secret that this is my favorite time of year. Everything about Christmas is filled with magic and wonder. Starting with the reason for all of it... The birth of a  tiny baby who would grow up to save the world!
Christmas in Malawi is a very different experience. For starters it's hot. There are no crazy sweaters and boots. No one is wrapped up i scarves and gloves rushing from place to place. If  anything life is slower. Everyone is taking their time trying to stay cool and out of the sun. There are not lights on every house, and I have yet to see a Santa running around lilongwe.  Its just a different experience. One I am greatful to have had.
 Yesterday Ogles hosted a Christmas party for some of her students. They spent most of the day at the pool. They came back and ate burgers and hotdogs from the grill and finished the evening with caramel corn and sodas. None of these things say Christmas to me. There was no hot chocolate or gingerbread houses. But as I was thinking on all of those things it brought me back to the real reason we had all gathered to celebrate, and I was grateful for the reminder. We don't need any of those things to celebrate Christmas. That's not what it is about. Its about two young people being brave and willing to answer the greatest call of all time and bring to the world a much needed savior. I realize that this sentiment is not new, but the reality of it is fresh and very tangible for me
this year, but please don't misunderstand. I am not saying any of those things are bad. I hope to someday have a house full of Christmas decorations and maybe a few too many lights and cookies and hot chocolate for anyone that comes. I still get excited at the anticipation of Santa coming, and ithinkyou can have allow that and still hold at the enter Christ.

One last thought for you this morning on a differnet note, but still the same kinda. This is from the Countdown to Christmas devotional I've been reading (countdown haters don't judge) 
Luke 1.8-23 and Matthew 7.7-11 after reading these this is what it has to say. Something I was in desperate need of. 

 "Zacharias was chosen to be the priest who would enter the holy place in the Temple to offer incense to God on behalf of the people. However, as Zacharias was standing beside the altar of incense, he received a surprise visitor! The angel Gabriel had been sent from heaven to bring an exciting message from heaven to Zacharias and Elizabeth. “Do not be afraid, Zacharias, for your petition has been heard,” were the words of the angel at this history-breaking moment. God had been silent for 400 years and at this instant, Zacharias heard the audible answer for which he and his wife had been praying since the day of their marriage many, many years ago. After all of the years of waiting and praying and believing, heaven’s intervention was about to be experienced in the life and marriage of Elizabeth and Zacharias. Could it be true? Was it even possible after decades of marriage to conceive and bear a son? Would Elizabeth’s elderly frame be able to withstand 9 months of pregnancy and then the pain of giving birth? God, are You really this good?! It is true: God absolutely hears your prayers. He is listening intently to your requests and loves it when a believer comes to Him boldly and unashamedly. The Bible instructs Christians from every generation to ask and keep on asking, seek and keep right on seeking, knock and keep on knocking! (Matthew 7:7) For what have you been praying? Perhaps an unsaved spouse ... a rebellious child ... a breakthrough in finances ... or health concerns have dominated your prayers for years and years. You need to follow the example of Elizabeth and Zacharias and continue to pray with expectation and with hope! Christmas is a time when we should all expect heaven’s entrance into our dusty, dirty worlds. Christmas is a time that reminds us all that miracles really do happen, prayers are actually answered and that heaven is just one response away. You honor God when you ask of Him the impossible! Impossible is what the God of Christmas does best!

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