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A White Christmas!


Jack Frost has decorated our windows.
A 3 inch blanket of snow covers every surface only disturbed by the small feet of my dog and a few rabbits.
The house is warming up.
Quiche is in the oven.
The boys are stirring but no one is ready to climb out of bed on this Christmas day.

The theme for this Christmas in my heart and in my church has been that Jesus has come as a great light into the dark places of our hearts, minds and world.

And it is ugly... The selfishness, greed, jealousy, prideful and people pleasing nature of my heart is laid bare by His light.  A war scene or a wasteland.

And it is painful...The closer I get to His presence, the more of the me that I don't want to see is seen.  I'm embarrassed, ashamed and guilty and condemned.  I have a choice to be exposed or to be condemned.

And I'm completely helpless...A newborn babe completely vulnerable and naked before the world.  I come to Jesus helpless and unable to do a thing.

And still...A Great Light has come.  Creating light in my darkness.  Healing those black, scarred and ugly landscapes and turning them into Christmas white!

Christmas is the day of new beginnings.  New Birth.  In a manger and in my heart.

There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus! (Rom. 8)  

Today, I might have selfish and dark moments.  However, it is not who I am anymore!  

I am a new creation!  The new has come and the old has gone.

Today is a white Christmas!




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