We are opening the TRUE Gift of Christmas tomorrow. The GIFT of God with us, Emmanuel.
The Gift of a a Baby Wrapped in Swaddling Clothes and lying in a manger. That was the sign that the angels announced to the shepherds outside of Bethlehem. They would find a baby, wrapped in strips of cloth, lying in a manger….
What was this GIFT announced by the angels…a BABY…innocent, vulnerable, born in obscure circumstances, not in a palace or a sterile hospital. Born into the messiness of animals and hay. Born into the messiness of an unexpected pregnancy. Born into the MESS of two young people on a road trip, not in the familiar surroundings of home. Born into the MESS of a people occupied by a foreign power. Born into a time of conflict and uncertainty much like our world today.
OPEN THE GIFT
How do we OPEN the GIFT of God with us in the MESS of our lives? Are we willing to receive the GIFT of EMMANUEL ? Are we willing to RECEIVE the gift of GOD WITH US?
As you look around your house, consider the messes…maybe you have places of mess… dishes to do, laundry to fold, a pile of wrapping supplies or decoration boxes still to put away, or the stacks of mail and paperwork that seem to multiple over night at our house! Jesus is with us in the MESS and he really isn’t concerned about it! He came to be with us despite our messes….
Jesus was born into the messiness of life….Jesus is with you and with me in the MESSES of our lives right now!
How do you need Jesus to be with you in the Mess of life?
Can you believe and open the GIFT of GOD with YOU in the messiness of your life? In the sorrow, in the pain, in illness and uncertainty of our world? Will you choose to OPEN the GIFT of EMMANUEL in broken relationships, in in the conflict with relatives, in the craziness of Covid?
So much has happened in our world just in the last week! Omicron and break through cases shutting down travel and Christmas gatherings. More harsh weather, political conflicts, refugees dying in the Mediterranean and on the border. These are just some of the messes we are living through.
TAKE A DEEP BREATH
Breathe in the GIFT of GOD with us
Breathe out uncertainty
Breathe in the PRINCE of PEACE
Breathe out fear
Breathe in the MIGHTY GOD
Breathe out uncertainty and conflict
Breathe in EMMANUEL,
Breathe out the stress and mess of today!
OPEN THE GIFT of JESUS, GOD with us in the MESS of Christmas. In the MESS of LIFE!
AMEN.
JESUS IS WITH US IN THE MESS
LIVING THIS OUT:
As you take our your waste, you trash this week, and clean up stuff, THANK JESUS for being present with you and loving you right here in the MESS of life!
CHOOSE a Name of God to carry with you this week… Allow Jesus to show you how he is this NAME in your life!
- WONDERFUL COUNSELOR
- MIGHTY GOD
- EVERLASTING FATHER
- PRINCE OF PEACE
READ THIS PASSAGE …What do you notice? What is the Holy Spirit saying to you today?
ISAIAH 9: 6-7 NIV
For to us a child is born,
to us a son is given,
and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
7 Of the greatness of his government and peace
there will be no end.
He will reign on David’s throne
and over his kingdom,
establishing and upholding it
with justice and righteousness
from that time on and forever.
The zeal of the Lord Almighty
will accomplish this.
LISTEN TO ONE OF THE SONGS and let the Holy Spirit speak to you through the MUSIC! What NAME do you need to carry with you today? What is the GIFT for you in this name of GOD?
Take it with you into the 12 days of Christmas. The Christmas Season of the Church year begins today and continues until Epiphany on January 6th. So we get to live into Christmas and enjoy it longer! We get to experience the wonder of God with us…in our real lives. We get to OPEN THE GIFT OF GOD WITH US IN THE MESS!
©lillylewin and freerangeworship.com