Christmas memories

      Zero dark early this morning.  Sitting by the fireplace with hot tea and the Word of life.  Thank You, Father.  So many stockings, so much cause for gratitude.

           Our tree, too,  is covered with memories.  Mary Norris'  preschool angel, Richard's and Preyer's wreaths,  Janie's star, Peter's snowflake.  Big Richard's handmade elementary school snowman.  Ornaments given by his mom and one or two that hung on my grandparents' tree.  Not to mention the ornaments from dear friends, past Bible studies, Birthday Parties for Jesus, and school parties.  Our tree won't win any designer awards, but oh my, it is lovely beyond words to us as it reflects love lived out year by year.   Again, thank You, Abba.

      Then there's the nativity sets--all a bit beaten up, and therefore doubly beautiful.  Aunt Janie's nativity--with the wiseman who has somehow lost half of his crown (but I love that he holds that half crown in his hand, ready to lay it at the feet of the baby Savior.  We simply give Jesus whatever we have in our hands.)

       And can't forget Mom and Dad's nativity in which Joseph is missing part of both feet--but he can still stand!  Not to mention several animals have misplaced certain appendages--but, again, they're still standing!

      I love it--God takes us as we are and loves us, even with all our weaknesses and warts.  He doesn't wait till we get it all together.  No!  That's why He came: for us broken and battered lost sheep.  For the disorganized (can I get a witness?!)  For the ungrateful.  For the unkind and unable.  For the weak, weary, worn, worried.  For us--He came for you, for me, even in all our mess-ups and misses.
      The Son of God became a man that men might become sons of God.  That we might be made clean and whole--no more missing appendages or broken places!  At just the right time, God fulfilled that long-ago prophecy that He would send this Redeemer, Reviver, Restorer...this Baby-Savior-Lord.
      Even before the birth of Jesus, Zechariah praised God for sending this Promised One: "Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, for He has visited and redeemed His people and has raised a horn of salvation for us in the house of His servant David, as He spoke by the mouth of His holy prophets from of old, that we should be saved from our enemies and from the hand of all who hate us." (Lk1:68-71)
      John Piper points out that though Christ has not yet been born, Zechariah speaks in the past tense. I'd never noticed before!  Piper says, "For the mind of faith, a promised act of God is as good as done.  Zechariah has learned to take God at His word and so has a remarkable assurance: 'God has visited and redeemed!'"  If God says it, we can bank on it, no matter what, no matter how long it will take.  In the heavens, in fact, it's already done.
      So this day, Father, might we look back and remember Your promises and Your provision.  Your never-failing promises in Your Word.  Every jot and tittle will be fulfilled.  And Your provision to us in the past in helping and strengthening us day-by-day as well as Your extravagant grace in giving us loved ones, those with us and those who've gone on ahead.  Remind us, Lord, remind us.
      But then teach us to look ahead as well and trust.  Trust that You are working and moving in this often dark, confusing world, in ways we cannot see but believe and know by faith.  Trust that Your promises still stand strong and immovable...and since Your Word stands, then we can and will stand as well.  All by Your grace, all for Your glory.
      To God be the glory.