Countdown to Christmas: December 4, 2023

IT'S REDEMPTION SEASON! And I thought it was important we celebrate with a little story:

Once upon a time, there were three wise men (and a few more of their friends). These three wise men were minding their business, lying in a box, waiting for the next Christmas when they would be removed and, once again, proudly displayed to celebrate the arrival of the King. As they waited, however, some things took place --a struggle being one of them --between family members. There were harsh words and rebellion, pain --lots and lots of pain. And, for the wisemen and their friends, Christmas never came. They never left their box. Years went by. More chaos. More hurt. More anger. And the chasm between family members grew and grew. All the time and care that had been poured into keeping the wisemen and their friends was forgotten. There had come to be so little regard for them, the box and all its contents --wisemen and not-so-wise men --were sent to a woman who would love some, sell some, and send the rest to a thrift store. 

More time passed, and the wisemen sat for many months out of the year in a box. When carols filled the air and thoughts turned to peace on earth, the wisemen were removed, but not so much in celebration as in hope --the hope that they would find a home once again and be a part of the Christmas joy there. As for those original family members, things were happening. God was moving. Hearts were being changed and a new story was being written. 

Then one year, as carols once again filled the air and thoughts began to turn toward peace on earth, and the wisemen were removed from the box and placed (with a few of their other friends) on a shelf in hopes of Christmas joy, a ransom was paid. A purchase was made. In this case, in exchange for the wisemen and their friends, in exchange for peace on earth (or at least, in a family). Someone walked into that store, paced every inch of it, ducking and squinting and calling out to others to join the search for as many of those items that once occupied a box, in order to return them to their rightful owner. Not a one of those lost hid behind the holly or refused to be taken. All went willingly, quietly but decked in the bright colors and expressions of celebration. And redemption was had.

Beloved, you were created to be with Jesus. Not only in some heavenly realm after leaving this earth, but now and for always. He loves you and desires to redeem you from the prison of sin and death, of uselessness and purposelessness, of pain and angst. He has given each of us hope and has ransomed us with His very own life. Will you go with Him today?

Merry Christmas!