Christmas 2008

Your Gift In Season

We are a strong and hearty lot, those of us who call Canada home. I can bear witness to our national toughness by looking out my window, watching people rushing past to do their Christmas shopping as they brave the elements, facing the silver-grey sleet and high winds in order to do their countless errands. There is unspoken solidarity in the air; neighbours are quick to assist their neighbours in clearing off their sidewalks. Strangers smile to one another over steaming mugs of coffee in local coffee shop; after all, they are a band of brothers of sorts, not allowing the harsh climate to hinder them in reaching their goals.

In the same manner, recent political, economic and natural storms across our planet have banded Christians together against the winds that rattle at our doors and howl at our windows. An occasional cold, bracing wind stirs us out of our self-absorption. It reminds us that we can have a positive effect on the world around us if we will just venture out and walk against that wind.

Although many biblical scholars dispute that Jesus' birthday can be pinpointed to December 25, the thought of God incarnate bringing eternal light and hope in the season of bleak winter brings much solace.

During times of adversity and hardship, when the grey, thick clouds of political strife and international crises loom over us, it is natural to want to draw the curtains closed and barricade ourselves from the ugliness outside our doors. When we wonder if we will have enough money to keep a roof over our heads and food on our tables, it might be difficult to imagine that we can offer anything of value to God. Yet, it is in these seasons of spiritual winter; in these times of vulnerability and uncertainty that we offer to God the gifts he desires most.

Although our hands may be empty of resources, if our hearts are full of praise and thankfulness to Him and love expressed in generosity to His people, He is blessed beyond measure. As he found much pleasure in the poor widow's offering of a few pennies at the temple, so he finds much pleasure in our sacrificial giving of ourselves during times of hardship.

 

In the Bleak Midwinter
Christina G. Rossetti, 1830-1894

In the bleak midwinter, frost wind made moan,
earth stood hard as iron, water like a stone;
snow had fallen, snow on snow, snow on snow,
in the bleak midwinter, long ago.

Our God, heaven cannot hold him, nor earth sustain;
heaven and earth shall flee away when he comes to reign.
In the bleak midwinter a stable place sufficed
the Lord God Almighty, Jesus Christ.

What can I give him, poor as I am?
If I were a shepherd, I would bring a lamb;
if I were a Wise Man, I would do my part;
yet what I can I give him: give my heart.

No matter what season you are experiencing in your life, as you present your heart to the Lord, may you feel the warmth of His light shine upon you and through you. May that light be a beacon to those in the darkness and may you truly be a messenger of God's greatest gift to the world, His son, Jesus Christ.

With love,

© 2008 Katherine Walden
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