“(God) set His seal of ownership on us, and put His Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.” 2 Corinthians 1:22
Well…I guess it’s time! Though I always get sad at this time of year when Katie starts taking down the Christmas decorations. But now it’s official…this Merry Merry Holy-Day is HO HO Over! Now It’s time for her to box it all up and put it away until next year. And that last sentence is not intended to sound as if it came from a male chauvinistic pig. Even though I am one.
After 43 Christmases together, there is a ritual that has formed to become “THE WAY” we do almost EVERYTHING. Boxing up Christmas is a prime example. I watch as my artistic and finicky wife takes down each decoration and, if breakable, carefully wraps it in paper to place it in a labeled box for next year. Often an old label is crossed out to relabel the current contents. But nothing is ever lost this way! MY job is to lug it all back to storage!
To me, Christmas is all about anticipation as learning, enjoying and spending time with those we love, all move to the ultimate crescendo of celebration! After that, the party’s over! Even tho it’s not really! The seeming letdown of this time of year proves that the Birth of The Promised Messiah is a wonderful event to remember…and no joke! Before ‘The Promise’ came, men lived in darkness, clinging only to an old STORY of hope. But not anymore!
Because He CAME, I no longer need to fear or feel hopeless! God didn’t use a ‘special star’ to guide me, but the Holy Spirit prompted me onward toward my own search for the ‘Savior,’ Having found Him, and unlike the Angels to the shepherds, He has never REALLY left me. Even though sometimes it may SEEM that way.
I guess I could say I am like a very special Christmas ornament to Him. I have been purchased, put on display, and now marked with a permanent seal for a time in the future. And even though I may sometimes FEEL like I’ve been put on hold in a box, I have been MARKED and GUARANTEED for a time that will ultimately be the Greatest Holy-Day in History. And though a little sad now, I have EVERY reason to hold onto His Comfort and Joy! WITH anticipation!
How about YOU?
