“(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?

“Go home to your own people and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy on you.” Mark 5:19

Waking up to a Monday is not really that big of a deal. After all, they come around once a week! But today…THIS Monday…is a little different because it’s the first Monday after a long Christmas break. For me, being kind of semi-retired, I don’t HAVE to BE ANYWHERE! But for some reason, it seems like I should be!

Katie is getting ready to go to work. Having enjoyed over 2 weeks of being allowed to sleep-in, the time has come to get up and DO what we NORMALLY do! Being fresh on the heels of 2021 after such a churned up 2020, it is easy to ask the question, “But what is normal?” If you’re like me, the desire to crawl back in bed can be almost irresistible!

Facing a New Year can be a challenge, because I can’t escape the fact that, while ALL of us are on the same ship, EACH of us has different responsibilities. A cruise, a break or vacation is fun. But ‘Normal’ is where we live! In today’s Bible verse, Jesus had just made a special trip, through a storm to rid a guy of his demons. As Jesus was getting back in the boat, the healed man wanted to tag along. Until Jesus gave him his new job…”GO HOME!” HUH????

After many years of work and preparation, my oldest son Clint started his new job as a Harbor Pilot. This picture came across my phone yesterday on his first run! He told me the feeling was overwhelming, as the responsibility is a big one. Bringing ships in and taking them back out requires an INTIMATE knowledge of what home really is! For at home, thar be LOTS of close and treacherous obstacles to avoid!

Clint didn’t get there alone. His brother Colt was a big help, since being home to him is in the same place! He introduced him to people using HIS contacts and knowledge, to prepare his brother to succeed. Our whole family prayed and supported and encouraged along the way. Now we ALL get to celebrate the culmination and joy of the journey!

Exotic new places can be thrilling. New things to do that don’t’ seem so boring are ALWAYS a temptation. But reading this story today helps me to realize that Jesus isn’t really asking me to do something I am unqualified to do. It helps to remember that, when I’m looking for something big and spectacular, Jesus simply tells me to “go home and tell THEM what the Lord has done!” Which MUST be important!     And I think I just did!