Sometimes the holidays provide the ingredients for a perfect storm of stress, family problems, pressure to do, do, do, a tendency to be excessive (in expenses, food, etc), and anxiety. Instead of being the 'most wonderful time of the year,' it can quickly become the worst and most dreaded time of the year. But we don't have to succumb to inner strife and outward distress this season if we can keep things in perspective...afterall, what is the reason for Christmas? It is so much more than a holiday for children, indeed, the holiday should be about contemplating God's love for us and the incredible way in which life as we know it was changed the night His Son was born. Christmas is about love - God's incredible love for us and what Jesus' entry on this earth meant for all mankind. In his, "The Purpose of Christmas," Rick Warren says, "That's what God did at Christmas...There is nothing you can do that will make God stop loving you. You could try, but you'd fail - because God's love for you is based on His character, not your conduct. It's based on who He is, not what you've done. The Bible says, "Christ's love is greater than anyone can ever know, but I pray that you will be able to know that love."'
The following verse has lately been a source of great comfort to me, and it has become my token verse for the Christmas season...
Zephaniah 3:17(NIV) The LORD your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing.
The following passage is from a blogger Matthew MacDonald...
'When I was just a little boy, I can remember that feeling I had when I was in my dad’s arms. For me, it was the safest place of all. I remember, with great fondness, looking up at his face, as he smiled down towards me. Even now as I close my eyes, I can almost picture my dad looking at me, and smiling over me. In those moments that I spent in his arms, he would sing over me. His words were so soothing to me. They brought me peace. He would take great delight in me. He always told me that he loved me. When I was afraid or even a little scared, he would quiet me with his love. He would say, “Son, I love you, your daddy is here. Everything is going to be all right now. Daddy’s here just for you.” There were days when his touch upon my head made me smile, because I knew that he was there watching over; encouraging me, and rejoicing over me, telling me how happy I made him feel just because I was his son.
My father past away a number of years ago now. There have been days that I’ve wished I could have turned back the clock, just to tell my dad one more time that I love him. I really do miss my dad. On the day that he past away, this verse of scripture came into my heart: Psalm 68:5(NIV), “A father to the fatherless”.
My ABBA Father in heaven says to me, in Zephaniah 3:17 (NIV), “The LORD your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing.”
My friend, my heavenly ABBA Father, is watching over me. He calls me His treasured possession, the apple of His eye. There have been times when I have felt as if His hand is upon my head, letting me know that He is watching over me. To be in the loving arms of my ABBA Father is safest place of all. He takes great delight in me, just because I am His son. When I feel afraid or even a little scared, He quiets me with His love. He says to me, “Everything is going to be alright. Your ABBA Father is here just for you.” His words are so soothing to me. They bring me peace. He rejoices over me by singing songs of His never-ending love for me. ABBA Father, “I love you.”'
My friend, my heavenly ABBA Father, is watching over me. He calls me His treasured possession, the apple of His eye. There have been times when I have felt as if His hand is upon my head, letting me know that He is watching over me. To be in the loving arms of my ABBA Father is safest place of all. He takes great delight in me, just because I am His son. When I feel afraid or even a little scared, He quiets me with His love. He says to me, “Everything is going to be alright. Your ABBA Father is here just for you.” His words are so soothing to me. They bring me peace. He rejoices over me by singing songs of His never-ending love for me. ABBA Father, “I love you.”'
May He quiet you with His love this Christmas. :)
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