Yesterday I wrote about Christmases past. It was my intent to write today about Christmas Present. To write about how we're celebrating this year. Less decorations, less food, less of everything......probably not unlike other empty-nesters whose families are elsewhere this Christmas. Instead, I'm writing today about something different. About Christmas Present in a different sense of the word.
Yesterday afternoon I got a text from Brian that we should get on-line to watch the Christmas Eve service from their church, First Baptist, Brandon, Florida. I confirmed the service time and hooked the computer up to the television so we could see the service.
We heard beautiful music played and sung. The third grade class from the Academy presented a play that told the Christmas story as only third graders can. It was awesome! We enjoyed hearing the choir sing.
The pastor shared a wonderful message. It was about Mary "pondering these things in her heart." That's really all I remember. (Sorry, Tommy!)
Because after the message, during the time of invitation, our grandson Christopher came forward and professed his faith in Christ. That is the best Christmas Present a Nana could receive. To know that now our family circle is complete. That all of us have given our hearts to Jesus. That we are not just family because of physical birth, but we are also a family because of spiritual rebirth. "I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth." (3 John 1:4 ESV)
What a wonderful memory to treasure up, to "ponder in [my] heart" this Christmas! In this season when we are celebrating the very best Christmas present ever given, the Lord Jesus!
"And the Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. And from his fullness we have all received grace upon grace. For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ." (John 1:14, 16-17 ESV)
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