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There was the true Light which, coming into the world, enlightens every man. John 1:9
Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,
“Glory to God in the highest,
and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.”Luke 2:13-14
Another year is upon us! What story will we tell with our lives? What events will occus? Every year, I set a new table and we begin again to celebrate His life, His light through us. I pray as you open a new year, you will have reason to find great joy along your path. Every season, each day is one worth finding joy.
Celebrating is a part of God's nature. The crickets sing to God, the birds chirp to God, the sunrise and sunset sing of His glory, the stars declare His glory and beauty.
God was so excited to celebrate the incarnation of His son on earth, that He crafted and designed in his honor a chandelier in the heavenlies for this special occasion. Imagine a Father saying, "I love you so much, I will give you a star for your birthday, and then the wealthiest kings of this small globe called earth will bring riches untold for your birthday present. I have arranged the heavenly host to sing a cantata, filling the sky, just to celebrate this moment, and all the earth will hear of your birthday party throughout all the generations."
Those he chose as the audience were the very ones who took care of sheep, the very symbol of His son--those who probably had hearts most ready to engage in worship, because nightly they delighted in the display of splendor strewn across their ceiling, with twinklings, flurries of comets, galaxies waxing eloquent to the rhythm of their creator's bidding. These who had eyes to see and hearts to worship became the attendees of His celebratory party.
And so, I desire to have such eyes--to see His glory in the natural course of my own life. To hear the melodies that daily display songs of praise in the creation He has made, to see His very fingerprints in the eyes and souls of the precious ones in my home.
And so, in His honor, I bring light into my own personal darkness where we also live in the fallen place, a palette of color into the humble outpost of my daily lives and worship.
There is a life and hope and energy in this celebrating. It brings all earthly struggles into perspective, a baby bringing life that would conquer all ills, calm all storms, wrest all evil powers, heal all wounds.
Isaiah finds him so, "And His name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, the mighty God, the Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace."
May He bless you and be all that you need and desire in the moments of 2022!