A Pause to Ponder God's Word
"A Christmas Thought"

All the presents had been opened. The crumpled wrapping paper which had once concealed each gift so beautifully had been placed in a large garbage bag. The family members sat around the gift laden tree looking at each other with a wondering "what's next" stare when it became apparent that something had caught dad's attention. Each looked in the direction of his gaze to find the creche setting there among the gifts. It once held the center spot under the tree, but became obscure when the gifts were placed around it, until now. Now, on longer hidden by the gifts, it silently proclaimed the mystery of Christmas. Each small figurine had been placed strategically around the manger to focus all attention to the Christ Child figure. The silence was broken as dad spoke softly:

"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through Him all things were made; without Him nothing was made that been made. In Him was life and that life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it."

Dad rose from his chair beckoning with hand gestures for the other family members to come close to him. They moved in close as he stretched out his arms to draw them close. Everyone's attention still riveted on the creche he continued softly:

"He was in the world and though the world was made through Him, the world did not recognize Him. He came to that which was His own, but His own did not receive Him. Yet to all who received Him, to those who believe in His Name, He gave the right to become the children of God - Children born not of natural descent, not of human decision or a husband's will, but born of God. The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us. We have seen His glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth."

Dad's eyes filled with tears painfully aware that in the same way that the creche had been pushed aside for the other things, so had the truth of Christmas been pushed aside for he and his family. He slowly bowed his head and prayed aloud. "Gracious Heavenly Father, we do receive You, The Word now. We confess that we have allowed other things to crowd You out. Forgive us. We do believe and in Your Name receive You now. Make Your dwelling in us Jesus. Illuminate us with Your light. Make us Your own Father. We are Yours!."

The family, now in a circle hugging one another, spoke with one voice, "Amen."

As they released from the circle there was a wonderful glow in their faces that the gifts they had earlier opening had not brought. Their was a fullness of life that nothing before had ever engendered. This household had done more than celebrate Christmas - they experienced Him.

The gift giving and receiving has its place, but let us all be sure that He remains in the center. In the center of Christmas. In the center of our lives individually and collectively. "Yet to all who received Him, to those who believe in His Name, He gave the right to become the children of God - Children born not of natural descent, not of human decision or a husband will, but born of God."

Have a Christ-filled Christmas beloved!

Keep Close to Jesus
Pastor Gerry


A Pause To Ponder God's Word is written and distributed by Gerald Whetstone, Ordained Elder and teacher in the Church of the Nazarene. These devotionals may be transmitted, duplicated, used in part or in entirety without permission for nonprofit purposes only. Responses welcome. To Subscribe Click Here.
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