Discovering Who I Am

Archive for December, 2006

I believe in Jesus Christ and in the beauty of the gospel begun in Bethlehem.

I believe in the one whose spirit glorified a little town; and whose spirit still brings music to persons all over the world, in towns both large and small.

I believe in the one for whom the crowded inn could find no room, and I confess that my heart still sometimes wants to exclude Christ from my life today.

I believe in the one who the rulers of the earth ignored and the proud could never understand; whose life was among common people, whose welcome came from persons of hungry hearts.

I believe in the one who proclaimed the love of God to be invincible:

I believe in the one whose cradle was a mother’s arms, whose modest home in Nazareth had love for its only wealth, who looked at persons and made them see what God’s love saw in them, who by love brought sinners back to purity, and lifted human weakness up to meet the strength of God.

I confess my ever-lasting need of God: The need of forgiveness for our selfishness and greed, the need of new life for empty souls, the need of love for hearts grown cold.

I believe in God who gives us the best of himself. I believe in Jesus, the son of the living God, born in Bethlehem this night, for me and for the world.

Anonymous

He who has not Christmas in his heart will never find it under a tree. ~Roy L. Smith

There has been only one Christmas – the rest are anniversaries. ~W.J. Cameron

For the spirit of Christmas fulfils the greatest hunger of mankind. ~Loring A. Schuler

In the old days, it was not called the Holiday Season; the Christians called it ‘Christmas’ and went to church; the Jews called it ‘Hanukkah’ and went to synagogue; the atheists went to parties and drank. People passing each other on the street would say ‘Merry Christmas!’ or ‘Happy Hanukkah!’ or (to the atheists) ‘Look out for the wall!’ ~Dave Barry

Only in souls the Christ is brought to birth, And there He lives and dies. ~Alfred Noyes

Gloria, Gloria! they cry, for their song embraces all that the Lord has begun this day: Glory to God in the highest of heavens! And peace to the people with whom he is pleased! And who are these people? With whom does the good Lord choose to take his pleasure? The shepherds. The plain and nameless–whose every name the Lord knows well. You. And me.–Walter Wangerin Jr.

May we not “spend” Christmas or “observe” Christmas, but rather “keep” it.–Peter Marshall

Among the oxen (like an ox I’m slow)
I see a glory in the stable grow
Which, with the ox’s dullness might at length
Give me an ox’s strength.

Among the asses (stubborn I as they)
I see my Saviour where I looked for hay;
So may my beast like folly learn at least
The patience of a beast.

Among the sheep (I like a sheep have strayed)
I watch the manger where my Lord is laid;
Oh that my baa-ing nature would win thence
Some woolly innocence!

(Clive Staples) C. S. Lewis

I am always so thankful for the blessings and abundance that God pours into my life. However, occasionally there is that moment during which an unusual awareness sets in of all we really have and are privileged to do. That we live in prosperity goes without saying. Not only do we not have need, we live a lifestyle unmatched by kings and rulers not so long ago. To be used of God to help build His kingdom, to have a beautiful wife and healthy children, to have a family who cares for us, to have health. And this time of year, we are reminded of the abundance of grace we were given in the gift of our Saviour. Let’s not lose sight of what we are celebrating at Christmas. As you give and receive gifts this Christmas, give thanks to God for the ultimate gift.

I have always tended towards doubting who I am; questioning and second-guessing what is real and authentic in me and what I am entitled to claim as real in me. I have tended towards emulating the things I see in others that resonate with me rather than just being that unique creation that I am. I will try to make a video I am producing look like another rather than trusting my vision. I will tend to copy someone else’s design, and when I do create something original, I don’t allow it to be as valid as someone else’s original idea. As much as Solomon was right in Ecclesiastes 1:9 when he wrote “there is nothing new under the sun?”, I believe that God has made you and me unique as a snow flake (many of which are falling outside as I write this) and there is no one else that thinks or creates like you do, or like I do. We need to trust God in us and be who He made us to be.