Glory to God!
What a Mighty God we serve! He sends rain on the just and the unjust. Admittedly, my human self sometimes wishes that he would hold off on the rain on the unjust, especially when they are acting like themselves! But, My Heavenly Father does know best. Today's unjust person could have a change of heart, be overcome by an attack of conscience, sell all that he has gained unjustly, and give to the poor. That would take a miracle in these modern times, the same as in olden times when Jesus instructed that rich young ruler to do just that. Poor rich young ruler, he just could not say "no" to the dough. He kept the dough and lost a chance at salvation. In this twenty first century, he has many kindred souls who share his mindset and his eventual fate.
But this "tale" is about Our Magnificent God, so I press on. In this season of Christmas, when I light up like a Christmas tree, because I have been blessed to have the last name of Christmas, I stop in awe and think how beholden we are to Our God! Not only does He send the rain, He sends the sun to light up our world, to keep us healthy when we soak up its rays in moderation to get our daily dose of Vitamin D, to help crops to grow, to name just a few benefits of that golden orb that cooperates in the earth's rotation to create daylight.
He has created composers with the ability to create glorious melodies and inspiring lyrics which are then transported to the heavens via the vocal instruments of gifted vocalists and musicians! To quote myself: "When I hear Handel's Messiah, I know that there is a God!" We mortals may take a stab at creating sheep in a lab, and one day, we may even "create" a perfectly constructed physical specimen, but we will never clone a mind, emotions and character.
So Our God keeps giving, and over two thousand years ago, He gave the Ultimate Gift. He gave His Son. Those of us who are Christians, celebrate this time of year as the time of the birth of Our Savior Jesus Christ. He came to be born so that he could die. I have often told friends when I think of that sacrifice, I know how different He is from this mere mortal. My flawed self would have had a talk with God and "advised" Him that there was no way in Hades that I would willingly allow myself to have nails pounded into my hands and feet to save humans who denigrate, mock and scorn God every chance they get! I would have been demanding that God send some "warrior angels" to cut a swath through that crowd crying "crucify him!"
But before the crucifixion, came the birth. Jesus was born in a manger, not in a 5 star inn. This alone should give comfort to the meek and the lowly, and those who may be without homes in these perilous times. He was born and grew up in humble surroundings. Daddy did not send him to school in the limo. He did not train Him to be a lawyer or politician, (another sign of God's omniscience?). He did not put Him in charge of a Fortune 500 company. He was a carpenter. He earned His living by creating for others, not finding creative ways to relieve them of their money.
Yes, Our Almighty gave us the sun, the moon, the stars, and His Son. Let us raise our voices in praise, gratitude and worship!
Merry Christmas!
Psalm 95:1-6
2 Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving, and make a joyful noise unto him with psalms.
3 For the LORD is a great God, and a great King above all gods.
4 In his hand are the deep places of the earth: the strength of the hills is his also.
5 The sea is his, and he made it: and his hands formed the dry land.
6 O come, let us worship and bow down: let us kneel before the LORD our maker.
Psalm 100
2Serve the LORD with gladness: come before his presence with singing.
3Know ye that the LORD he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.
4Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name.
5For the LORD is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations.
Psalm 104:1-2, 33
1 Bless the LORD, O my soul. O LORD my God, thou art very great; thou art clothed with honour and majesty.
2 4O LORD, how manifold are thy works! in wisdom hast thou made them all: the earth is full of thy riches.
33 I will sing unto the LORD as long as I live: I will sing praise to my God while I have my being.
Psalm 113
1 Praise ye the LORD. Praise, O ye servants of the LORD, praise the name of the LORD.
2 Blessed be the name of the LORD from this time forth and for evermore.
3 From the rising of the sun unto the going down of the same the LORD's name is to be praised.
4 The LORD is high above all nations, and his glory above the heavens.
5 Who is like unto the LORD our God, who dwelleth on high,
6 Who humbleth himself to behold the things that are in heaven, and in the earth!
7 He raiseth up the poor out of the dust, and lifteth the needy out of the dunghill;
8 That he may set him with princes, even with the princes of his people.
9 He maketh the barren woman to keep house, and to be a joyful mother of children. Praise ye the LORD.
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