has Christmas really come and gone? it seems almost impossible. back at work already?
the holiday in palm beach was beautiful and fun and all the things family really should be. grandpa wasn't there, but i could feel his presence all around us. he was at the christmas eve service and he was sitting in his chair when the gifts were passed out, and i could see him cooking in the kitchen. i know he's really close to grandma right now, even though her pain sometimes clouds her view of him.
if we really allowed ourselves to feel, we would be able to connect so much more than we do these days. an extended period of time with family really engulfs you in your history.
one of my favorite verses in the bible is revelation 2:17:
"...to everyone who conquers I will give some of the hidden manna, and I will give a white stone, and on the white stone is written a new name that no one knows except the one who receives it."
i first came upon this verse while reading john elderedge. he talks about how then we will 'know fully' even as we 'have been fully known.' but i came across it today in a c.s. lewis devotional. he expanded the interpretation to note that not only does God love us fully, but individually.
maybe it's my western socialization, but the thought of an individual love really wrapped itself around my heart. i have to fight against the gospel becoming impersonal. i think that's one of the reasons why "christianity" in america seems so often to be the enemy. for those who don't believe, it is a dramatic account of an impersonal historical figure.
but it's the personal encounters and experiences that have transformed us. the touch of God reaching down from heaven to speak truth into our lives.
maybe he's been calling me by that name on my white stone all along. sitting with grandpa, talking about how he came for Christmases like these; to be born, and live, and die and rise again, so we could all know him, personally. and rest in the hope that those who have gone on before us are walking with Him now, until we receive our stone and join them in the fellowship of eternity.
posted by Kelly @ 2:11:00 PM
2 Comments:
isn't it funny how you hear some of us Christians sometimes talk about how we've individualized Christianity too much, made it to individualistic and forgotten about community...
i've always thought it was the best building block - that individual love Christ has for me. imagine each of us fully accepting the personal love Christ has for our souls and then breathing that love out for others, even as we take it in for ourselves...
grace...
i, too, feel more drawn in by an individual love. but sometimes i wonder if this "individual" love is a western spin on God. it's like everyone in the West strives to be different, original.. so of course an individual love appeals to us.
i think there's a balance somewhere in there.. involving community, but more than that, involving God in the lives of others on a far greater scale. i dunno... another blog for another day.
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