God clothed in an infant's frame

Frosted windows glow. Inside a hearth burns brightly. The cold night air confirms it is Christmas time as little twinkling lights compete with the stars.

I cannot imagine the first Christmas when my Savior took his first breath in the night air of an old dusty stable. Lord, did you shiver in the cold when you stepped out among humanity-God clothed in an infant's frame.

Lord, did all of heaven look down to earth from the warmth of cloudy, frosted windows? I cannot fathom that you left the comforts of home for the sake of me and for all humanity. Yet, on the night you came to earth, they pushed you to the outskirts of town.

Lord, I pray that we will welcome you today, and not push you to the outskirts of our lives, even on our darkest and coldest nights.

Revelation 3:8

At this time of year, mistletoe hangs in many doorways, inviting expressions of peace and goodwill. They seem friendly and warm, while they contrast greatly with darkened doors reminiscent of Scrooge and Marley, whose appearance alone cries Bah Humbug! And then there are doors that serve a divine purpose, not in the sense of nativity scenes and Christmas choirs, but the kind Jesus speaks of in Revelation 3:8; "I know your deeds. See, I have placed before you an open door that no one can shut. I know that you have little strength, yet you have kept my word, and have not denied my name."

Is there an open door God has placed before you this holiday season?

Happy Thanksgiving!

"I will give thanks to the Lord because of his righteousness and will sing praise to the name of the Lord Most High." -Psalm 7:17

James 1:17

I am a social drinker . . . when it comes to coffee. I do not care to darken the door of a Starbucks alone. I prefer the good company of a loved one or a friend or a good book. But on a rainy day like today, the day before Thanksgiving, I am enjoying the comforts of a good cup of coffee at home curled up on my couch watching a movie with my family.

"Every good and perfect is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights who does not change like shifting shadows." -James 1:17

Luke 2:11

My heart swells in anticipation of what this holiday season will bring.

My six year old helps to usher in feelings of thanksgiving; in her first grade class at a public school, she wrote a story about how thankful she is for Jesus. Her child-like faith bears a depth I admire.

Meanwhile, my three year old waits for the day when we can decorate the house for Christmas, after having very little memory of Christmases past.

And I look forward to spending quality time with family and friends in the midst of all the festivities that deck the halls of our lives with beauty and busyness.

But even when the demands of this holiday season come knocking at my door, I will remember that most of all, my heart swells in anticipation of celebrating the birth of our King.

"'Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord.'" -An angel of the Lord, Luke 2:11

I want to share with you today one of my favorite poems:

The Road Not Taken

Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,
And sorry I could not travel both
And be one traveller, long I stood
And looked down one as far as I could
To where it bent in the undergrowth;

Then took the other, as just as fair,
And having perhaps the better claim,
Because it was grassy and wanted wear;
Though as for that the passing there
Had worn them really about the same,

And both that morning equally lay
In leaves no step had trodden black.
Oh, I kept the first for another day!
Yet knowing how way leads on to way,
I doubted if I should ever come back.

I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I--
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference

-Robert Frost

Matthew 14:29-31

I would like to say I live like Jesus, but in reality I walk like Peter. I have the faith to get out of the boat, but I also have the doubt to sink.

Yet even as the waves toss me around so I can barely tread water to keep my head from going under, Jesus always throws me a lifeline. That lifeline may look like a worship song or a quirky statement made by three year old or a kind word from a friend, but it always looks like Scripture.

"'Come,' he (Jesus) said.

Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, 'Lord, save me!'

Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. 'You of little faith,' he said, 'why did you doubt?'" -Matthew 14:29-31