Many of the familiar stories and truths of scripture have become too familiar. We really can't help the fact that we've heard so much for so long. The privilege to hear as we have had is indeed rare and we are profoundly honored with this opportunity.
But familiarity can breed casual indifference, and desensitize us to things of great beauty, value and significance. A recent book entitled "On A Hill Too Far Away" the writer attempts to take us back to the cross; to face its pain, its benefits and essence in ways that familiarity has removed.
Christmas is much the same. The story we have enjoyed is too well known. The jewels of wonder in this miraculous story "have fallen on ears that hear the one miracle: His birth. But the greater truth is that He, in fact, came to birth miracles in all of us as a way of life!" For He has said: "I am come that they might have life and have it abundantly," Paul said: "He Who began a good work in you will perfect it...." ...And the scriptures encourge by reminding us that we have become new creatures (in Christ) and old things have passed away...all things have become (and keep on becoming) new!
SO, let's look again and again at this story. An old one, but with contemporary meaning, application and power; pregnant with truth that can bring the miraculous to us, in us and through us...enough to profoundly impact our sphere of influence...enough for a lifetime of miracles. The writer of the old carol understood this when he wrote: "O Holy Child of Bethlehem, descend to us we pray; Cast out our sin and enter in; Be born in us today." ...And tomorrow and the next and....
Merry Christmas!
Mitch
