The Incarnation

Daily Gratitude Year 13 - Day 347: Today, I am grateful for the incarnation. 

The incarnation of Jesus is one of those concepts that is hard to wrap my head around at times. To commit thirty-three trips around the sun in human form that included hunger, pain, sorrow, and all of the other things we feel is mind boggling to me. 

I love this quote from a Max Lucado book: 

"God became a man.  While the creatures of earth walked unaware, Divinity arrived.  Heaven opened herself and placed her most precious one in a human womb. The omnipotent, in one instant, made himself breakable.  He who had been spirit became pierce-able. He who was larger than the universe became an embryo.  And he who sustains the world with a word chose to be dependent upon the nourishment of a young girl." -God Came Near, Max Lucado

The full legitimacy of His human experience began in the womb of a teenage girl. She was no expert. Joseph was not, either, but together, they would figure it out. They would know the difficult and the wondrous... and in a tiny town called Bethlehem, heaven and earth would collide with the birth of a baby boy who would change the course of history. 

Angels would sing. Wisemen would follow a star. Shepherds would witness the glory of the newborn King in his mother's arms as his earthly father watched over them both. Is it any wonder we continue to be in awe of the nativity of Christ? 

What kind of love leaves heaven for earth's human trials and troubles? 

This was my verse for the day: 

"We know how much God loves us, and we have put our trust in his love. God is love, and all who live in love live in God, and God lives in them." -1 John 4:16 NLT

What kind of love? The kind of love that submitted to a womb... and then a manger... and then a carpenter's table... and then a cross and a tomb. All of these sacrifices were made for us. It is a love like no other. I do not have to understand it to drink the living water and experience the light of His love. 

Today, I am grateful for the incarnation. 

Nights by the Fire

Daily Gratitude Year 13 - Day 346: Today, I am grateful for the nights by the fire. 

When we purchased our current home nearly 30 years ago, we were so excited about the wood burning fireplace. Thirty years later, it is still one of our favorite things. 

We love it at autumn's first chill. We treasure its magic on Christmas morning. We savor it when the winter temperatures dip low. The scent fills the neighborhood and my heart. 

As I looked for the perfect scripture, this one showed up in my search. I thought it was great advice as we head into the holiday season. Too much time on social media is not good for the soul. Showing grace in our conversations and avoiding gossip is always a wise choice. 

"Fire goes out without wood, and quarrels disappear when gossip stops. A quarrelsome person starts fights as easily as hot embers light charcoal or fire lights wood. -Proverbs 26:20-21

Make moments and memories this season. Build bridges not walls. Delight in the wonder of a fire in the fireplace... or pull one up on the television screen if you do not have a fireplace. You can enjoy the crackles and the glow, even without the heat. 

Today, I am grateful for the nights by the fire. 

Magic Makers

Daily Gratitude Year 13 - Day 345: Today, I am grateful for the magic makers. 

They are the ones who are up late and up early attending to the details of this busy Christmas season. They are the magic makers. I might cook and clean, but the Love of My Life does so much this season to help get ready for our celebrations. I am so grateful for his helping hands. 

Magic makers are everywhere in our lives. They go unnoticed at times. They are the kitchen committees in our churches and the maintenance and custodial teams. They are in early and stay late. Sometimes, they get tired, too. 

"For the Kingdom of God is not a matter of what we eat or drink, but of living a life of goodness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. If you serve Christ with this attitude, you will please God, and others will approve of you, too. -Romans 14:17-19

God sees you. We see you. Thank you. 

Today, I am grateful for the magic makers. 

Wednesday Giggle

 

Daily Gratitude Year 13 - Day 344: Today, I am grateful for a Wednesday giggle. 

"Don't mess with me! I'm a wooden spoon, lead paint, no car seat, no bike helmet, pickup bed ridin', garden' hose drinkin' survivor." 

This image made me giggle. It captured my childhood in a nutshell. 

It is hump day! The days are fuller than ever this time of year. There always seems to be more on the "to do" list than time allows. We will survive it one task at a time. 

Take on the day. You can do it. Remember to take some time to "be still." 

"“Be still, and know that I am God! I will be honored by every nation. I will be honored throughout the world.” -Psalm 46:10

Today, I am grateful for a Wednesday giggle. 

Small Doses of Novelty

 

Daily Gratitude Year 13 - Day 343: Today. I am grateful for small doses of novelty. 

"Studies show that short, novel experiences - a day trip, an unplanned hike, exploring a new street - boost dopamine and reset mood. You do not need a grand vacation. You need interruption. The brain thrives on small doses of novelty. Routine keeps you alive. Novelty makes you feel alive." - unknown

Yes! We all need a little novelty in our lives. Good interruptions can help us reset our day and our perspectives. Random acts of kindness do this. Sending someone an encouraging note can, too. Try a new morning beverage brand or flavor. It is not a big commitment, but new discoveries abound when we take a tiny step out of our everyday routines. 

I cannot help but think of Mary when an angel interrupted her ordinary life to invite her into the most amazing plot twist in her life. 

"Gabriel appeared to her and said, “Greetings ,favored woman! The Lord is with you!” Confused and disturbed, Mary tried to think what the angel could mean.  “Don’t be afraid, Mary,” the angel told her, “for you have found favor with God!" Luke 1:28-30

A strange man shows up with some big news about an unexpected novel path for her life. "Greetings" was what he said. She was surely shocked. But then he called her "favored." "Kecharitomene," the original Greek word translated “favored one,” means having received favor, mercy or grace. It does not mean “full of grace.” She was favored and chosen. She was not full of grace, but she would carry grace in her womb. Imagine her pregnancy glow! 

Talk about a reset on her day, her week, her month, and her life. From wedding planning to baby planning without experiencing the typical path to pregnancy. A new chapter was not only beginning in her life, but the baby she carried would save the world. 

Today. I am grateful for small doses of novelty.

Snow Brush

 

Daily Gratitude Year 13 - Day 342: Today. I am grateful for a snow brush.

The winter is so much easier to bear when you have the right tools (and a warm coat). I am not very tall so it is difficult to brush snow from my car windows without a tool to help. The snow brush is a simple tool that makes a world of difference. 

It requires no batteries or a power cord. It quietly sits in the back of your vehicle until it is needed. It shortens the work of gets you on the road faster.       

"He sends the snow like white wool; he scatters frost upon the ground like ashes." -147:16

On this 8th day of December, we still have snow on the ground from the Thanksgiving weekend storm. I cannot remember the last time we had snow on the ground every day of December. We will see what the week brings. There are some warmer temperatures ahead. The snow may disappear or a little more may fall. If it comes, I am grateful for the right tools.                                                

Today. I am grateful for a snow brush. 

2nd Sunday of Advent

 

Daily Gratitude Year 13 - Day 341: Today I am grateful for the second Sunday of Advent. 

With a focus on the prophecies of the Messiah in the Old Testament. So many years from the prophecy to the coming of Jesus that many missed it. It seems so clear to us. We can pick up our Bibles and read it clearly. 

Our Sunday school lesson included the best quote from Max Lucado's book "When God Came" but I cannot find it. When looking, I found another from the book that is perfect:

“She touches the face of the infant-God. How long was your journey! This baby had overlooked the universe. These rags keeping him warm were the robes of eternity. His golden throne room had been abandoned in favor of a dirty sheep pen. And worshiping angels had been replaced with kind but bewildered shepherds. Meanwhile, the city hums. The merchants are unaware that God has visited their planet. The innkeeper would never believe that he had just sent God into the cold.” ― Max Lucado, God Came Near: God's Perfect Gift 

Are we so different today? We are so busy that it is easy to miss the moments that matter. 

The incarnation is such a miracle. That God's seed would grow in the womb of an ordinary girl who was loved by an ordinary man. The Bible is clear that she was untouched by Joseph. No intimacy shared in marriage consummation. Yet, Joseph cared for her so tenderly as she carried God's son. Did it feel like a dream? 

The trip from Nazareth to Bethlehem was surely long and difficult with her pregnancy being full term. Seriously, I cannot imagine her discomfort. Did they question God when there was no room in the inn? 

“In Bethlehem in Judea,” they said, “for this is what the prophet wrote: ‘And you, O Bethlehem in the land of Judah, are not least among the ruling cities of Judah, for a ruler will come from you who will be the shepherd for my people Israel. (Micah 5:2)’ " -Matthew 2:5-6

The Bread of Life was about to arrive in Bethlehem. Bethlehem means "House of Bread." God wove so many intricacies into the birth of His Son. He had been waiting for the right time and the right couple. It all came together as promised. He keeps his promises. 

Today I am grateful for the second Sunday of Advent.