Wednesday, December 8, 2010

Beyond the Glitter and Gifts of Christmas

Christmas.
There is  much more to the celebration of Christ's coming than what we normally think about,  requiring thought and intention to move into a celebration that is beyond the traditional glitter and gifts.

Think about the true gift.  John said it so plainly . . . God so loved the world that He gave His only Son (John 3:16).
The Christmas season often is described as stressful and tiring.  The thing is . . . we look at Christmas as something we do . . . UNTIL . . . we let go of the preconceived necessities of the season.  Letting go of the  pressures is necessary to receive the endless energy and boundless strength that marks the power that we are invited to receive in Christ.
I like how The Message translates this in the prayer that the Apostle Paul prayed for the Ephesians: 

That's why, when I heard of the solid trust you have in the Master Jesus and your outpouring of love to all the followers of Jesus, I couldn't stop thanking God for you—every time I prayed, I'd think of you and give thanks. But I do more than thank. I ask—ask the God of our Master, Jesus Christ, the God of glory—to make you intelligent and discerning in knowing him personally, your eyes focused and clear, so that you can see exactly what it is he is calling you to do, grasp the immensity of this glorious way of life he has for his followers, oh, the utter extravagance of his work in us who trust him—endless energy, boundless strength (Ephesians 1:15-19, The Message).

So. Look at the power of living in Christ that this prayer of Life reveals:
Intelligence and discernment in knowing Christ personally.
Focused and clear vision.
Ability to see exactly what He is calling you to do.
A grasp of the immensity of the glorious way of life.
His utter extravagant work in you.
Endless energy.
Boundless strength.
Intentionally live out the prayer of life  . . .  beyond the glitter and gifts.
Celebrate the coming of Christ, God with us.

Receive the abundant gift of  Life.
May you experience the extravagant work of God in you today with endless energy and boundless strength.
Learning to KickStart the day in the gift of Christ, God with us,

Kerrie
(written by Kerrie L. Palmer © 2010 All Rights Reserved