Hi Faith Family,
Praying you are well, and enjoying this preparation time for Christmas. I received a special e-mail from Tesha in Washington. Tesha and her family visited us in Boise some time ago. I have her permission to share her fun advent story and picture:
“I thought you might enjoy this story... at least we are doing Advent devotions at home. :)
The attached photo was our dining room table this morning when I went to get breakfast. It's been REALLY cold, so I told my daughter Mica (age 19) to put two more logs in the woodstove before she went to bed last night. I have no idea how warm the house got last night, but this was the result...
The Prophecy, Bethlehem and Angel candles (purple) fell prostrate in honor of the Christ child candle (pillar in the middle). The Shepherd candle (pink) also knelt and worshipped Jesus. Even the gentile magi (white) taper candle honored the baby King by bowing low before Him!
Now our advent wreathe needs some serious CPR to be able to be ready for the devotion tonight...
Forever His,
Tesha kropidlowski & girls: Mica (19), Ruby (9 from Vietnam) and Anna (5 from China)
Cheney, Washington”
Thanks, Tesha, for sharing! I’ve been thinking about the story and perhaps there is a lesson buried somewhere in that colored wax. How often we go through our preparations for Christmas like a white Ford Bronco down the interstate. We cruise. We do our many little tasks that dot our weekly schedule like mini Christmas lights on the tree. When we think we have control over everything, we think too highly of ourselves and our abilities. We easily cheat ourselves out of one important facet of this Advent season: humility.
Not only with our business, our increased stress due to added events and duties on our calendar, and concerns about finances do we display a pride unfit for the season. When additional responsibilities appear, how do we view them—how do we approach them? The Christmas season isn’t just about all the stuff we need to do. It’s about what we need.
The joyful song of Mary at the news of the Savior-child to be born included the thought of humility:
“He has brought down the rulers
from their thrones
but has lifted up the humble.”
Mary had it right. That young girl facing incredible challenge and loss of face with an unplanned pregnancy sang a song of tremendous faith, trusting in the Lord who lifts up the humble.
Take the lesson of the candle to heart, dear sister—dear brother. Consider how vital the Savior-child’s birth was for you and in heart and mind, if not in posture, kneel in reverent devotion to the Savior born for you. Honor the Savior who came to save you from sin.
Over the past few weeks, some of you have felt the fires of adversity and the heat of anger, too. May the lesson of the candle serve you well to humble yourself during times such as these, placing things beyond your control into the powerful hands of God, who lifts up the humble in his way and time. God bless your last week before we celebrate the birth of the Savior of the nations.
Prayer idea: Praise God for sending the Savior for your sin. Ask God to develop true humility as you prepare your heart for Christmas once more. Pray for those who are dealing with sadness or emotional hurt this Christmas season.
Song Idea: Read Mary’s song of joy at the end of Luke chapter one. Create a melody as you sing through these wonderful and meaningful words.
Oh—just one more thing . . . don’t let your humility “taper off” through the Advent & Christmas Seasons!
Have a blessed week!
--Pastor Dan