Here I am again sitting at my desk, enjoying some light jazz piano music. It allows me to work and study without too much distraction. Occasionally though, the chords from the piano are so beautiful that they capture my attention and cause me to take notice.
It has been a good week even though its just Wednesday. A week that has included, counseling, listening, responding, admonishing, and sermon prep.
It is beginning to feel a lot like Christmas around the McKelvy household. Robyn put decorations up the day after Thanksgiving and now there is a lot of baking, present wrapping and conversations happening. Adult “kids” are starting to come home and the volume in the house has gone up exponentially. Right now, there are 11 of us under one roof, with more to come. Movie watching, theological musings, laughter and lack of sleep are all a part of it.
Christmas also seems to be a time of reflection for me. Holidays have that affect on us. I am nostalgic about days gone by and tearful about those that have said goodbye. I miss my parents, grandparents, and other close loved ones, who have passed on. There are so many moments I catch myself thinking, “I wish Mom was here to experience her great grand children and see how well her grandchildren are doing…and how ‘Old’ her son is getting .
Christmas also takes me beyond the busyness of the present and the reflection of the past to the anticipation of the future. This Christ that humbled Himself and came as a baby in the manger will also one day return as the conquering King and usher us into His eternal presence and there, we will experience an everlasting joy, that goes beyond imagination.
We will never have to say goodbye again. We will enjoy each other’s company without fatigue and our theological discussions will center around the Lamb who sits on the throne! Joy, laughter, intimacy, perfection…GOD… will all be experienced because of Christmas! There would be no Easter had it not been for Christmas.
So, Church Family, take time to reflect, mourn, anticipate, and party this Christmas, because our victory was born in the city of David, in a manger wrapped in swaddling cloths. And He is coming again, soon!
Pastor Ray