Cloths of Christmas and Easter

 

As I reflected what to write on this Advent season, I thought I would share the similarities between Christmas and Easter.  Yes, they both involved Jesus, but there are other poignant similarities that were shared on both of these sacred historical events.  Today, let us focus on the cloths.

Every vision I have of Jesus being born is the swaddling cloths that Jesus was wrapped in by Mary.  Many of us mothers can certainly relate to swaddling a blanket around our babies, ensuring their sense of security and warmth as they transition from the womb to the world.  Mary was no different.   In Biblical times, swaddling  cloths were many times strips of linen that were wrapped around the newborn child.   As Mary's baby was born, she wrapped him in cloths to lay him in the manger.  She also provided him security, warmth, and the transition.  In Jesus' case, His transition was so much more as he lowered himself to Earth for us.

As we move forward 33 years, we see cloths being used for a completely different reason for Jesus.  

 

In this case, Jesus is now wrapped up in strips of linen once again.  Yet, not for security and warmth, but upon his death.  The custom of wrapping a body who had died in cloths with spices is part of the Jewish custom.  The cloths that had once wrapped Jesus when he was born are seen once again as he died on the cross for all of our sins.  Swaddling cloths are used to keep the baby confined upon birth.  We know from scripture that the cloths used to wrap Jesus' body upon his death could not confine him.

"He saw the strips of linen lying there, as well as the cloth that had been wrapped around Jesus' head.  The cloth was still lying in its place, separate from the linen." (John 20: 6-7).  The linens were there, but Jesus was not.

The cloths of Christmas and Easter provide us a wonderful image of Jesus.  Upon Jesus' birth, he shows us that he is like any other infant in need of swaddling cloths.  Upon Jesus' death, he shows us that he is our Mighty Lord, breaking the bonds of the burial linens to rise from the dead.  As we enter this Advent season, may we draw on Jesus' strength and love.  Peace~

Dearest Jesus, thank you for the beautiful images of the cloths used in your birth and death.  Your love for us has you leaving your heavenly home for earth.  May we hold close to the security the cloths provide for us - as you hold us close to you like swaddling cloths and as the cloths laid in the empty tomb for our salvation. Amen~~

Wonderfully Made

 

About a month ago, I woke up to a "frost on the pumpkin" kind of morning.  There was a glaze of frost on our deck and you could see the frost glistening on the lawn.  It's always such a pretty time of the day.  As I sipped my coffee on the deck that chilly morning, I turned around to see a spider web that had been "frosted".  It actually looked like I had taken string to make a spider web for Halloween!  It was so beautiful.  It was so wonderfully made by one of God's smallest creatures.  

I am always amazed at God's smallest of creatures.  The ant who has such strength although so small.  The spider who can build such beauty although so small.  The bee who brings pollen to buds for nourishment although so small.  These smallest of God's creations brings forward such incredible works during their lives.

There are days when I feel very small, like these small creatures.  It could be something someone said to me, accomplishments others have that I may be envious of, a failed relationships, or a situation that for another reaped great benefits and for me fell short.  Are there times in your life where you have felt small?  Where maybe you felt like you haven't "measured up"?

It is times like this that our verse for today is so very powerful.  God made each of us - each ant, each spider, each bee and, more importantly, each one of us!  God knitted our DNA to ensure we were one of a kind.  Just like the smallest of each of His creatures, we each have a wonderful purpose on this world - one given to us by God.  God only makes incredible goodness and that includes each of us.  

Although there may be times in our lives where we feel small and insignificant, God is there with this wonderful verse to remind us that we are "fearfully and wonderfully" made.  His purpose for our life can be seen in the gifts and talents He has given to us.  We may fall short in our eyes, but we never fall short in God's eyes.  He loves us more than we can imagine and He provides for us all that we need.  When we may be seeing ourselves as 'small', God sees us as 'great'.  If someone needs to see me as great - I certainly want it to be God!  

During this Thanksgiving holiday, may we be reminded not just of all that we HAVE but of all that we ARE, made with God's hands.  May we thank Him for his grace and mercy, for His patience and forgiveness, and for his love.  On the days when we may feel as small as a spider, let us remember that we are God's wonderful creations - here for His purpose of sharing God's love.  Happy Thanksgiving!

Heavenly Father, during this Thanksgiving, may we be reminded of all you have given to us.  We know that everything comes from your hands.  May our praises of joy and thanks be heard loud and clear.  Help us to remember we have been created by the Great Creator.  We are not small in your eyes - let our hearts reflect that.  In your loving name I pray, Amen!

Hands

 

I looked down at my hands and noticed some things I hadn't noticed before - they looked old.  Let's quantify this - I fully understand I am not a young spring chicken.  Yet, when I looked at them the first thing I thought of was my grandmother.  Her hands always looked "old".  What was I noticing?  My hands have creases and wrinkles all over them.  There are some age spots showing through my skin.  As I turned my hands over, there was a callus or two.  Wow - they were hands that looked like they had weathered the storm.

As I thought about my hands, I realized that they had weathered the storm.  These hands have cooked too many meals to count.  They have held babies and worked in the garden.  They have held other hands in prayer and have patted backs on a job well done.  My hands have held the face of my husband and have felt my own tears.  These hands have also been clenched in anger and have clapped with joy.  What about your hands?  What memories are your hands holding?  What storm have your hands weathered?  I'm sure all of us have held the weight of our lives in our hands at least once or twice.

"He's Got The Whole World in His Hands", was always a favorite childhood song.  Whenever I would hear it, I pictured God holding the entire world in safety, much like the picture below.

I'm not sure of where your life has you at this moment, but I know I NEED this picture more than ever.  The safety of the world being held in God's hands gives me the peace that I need to move throughout each day.  Though troubles may be with us and around us, and we may feel as if we are in the "depths of the earth", God is holding us in His hands.  Are we on top of the mountain?  God has us in His hands there as well.  

Although our hands may have seen much in our lives, God's hands have been with us each moment of each day, holding us up, providing us nourishment, piecing together the troubles we are facing, ensuring we are truly never alone in our lows and highs, all cradled in His love.  He doesn't just hold you and me in those hands, but each person on this earth.  He truly has the whole world in His hands.  There are people all over this beautiful earth God created.  We ALL need his hands of love, each and every day.

The next time you look at your hands, think of the One that is holding them in love.  Knowing that God has us in His hands should give us the strength to use our hands to help each other.  Hands to make a meal or help a neighbor with a project.  Hands to hold with another in prayer.  May our hands be a reflection of God's hands.

Heavenly Father, thank you for always holding me in your hands.  I pray that as I go about my days, that my hands give to others as you have given your hands to me.  In your holy and loving name I pray, Amen!

The Great Leader

 

It has been a week, hasn't it?  So much emotion.  People shared their thoughts and opinions on who should rule America.  We listened to candidates, we watched for results, we read social media and we listened to the radio.  In the end, somebody wins and somebody loses.  It is why we live in a democracy.  I am not here to share political thoughts or start a debate.  I'm here to share the ONE truth.

When asked who is, or was, the greatest leader, many turn in a variety of directions.  Some feel members of our military may be the greatest leaders.  Others may turn to politics.  Others may turn to business and still others may turn to the pulpit.  I am very certain that one can find some great examples of wonderful leaders in all those aspects - people who led others with conviction, strength, and courage.

Today's words come from the great King Solomon.  Many feel he was the greatest king and leader of Biblical times.  What was so great about this king of long ago?  Yes, he led with strength and courage, but what made him such a great leader was he knew, and believed in his heart, that his leadership was not from his own doing - but from God.  He built his leadership on the words of God, turning to God for his strength and his courage.  He knew that He couldn't do anything without the hand of God.

That brings me to the title of today's post.  The Great Leader is nobody on earth, but our heavenly God.  He is the one that brings hope.  He is the one that brings strength and courage.  When we rely on the wisdom of man, we will always be disappointed.  When we rely on our heavenly father, we will never be disappointed.

Many earthly leaders have held God close to them - from MacArthur, to Martin Luther King, to Billy Graham, to Sam Walton.  I know there are many others.  Yet, they are men and women.  They are not God.  They may be great leaders but there is truly only one that we should revere - our Heavenly Father.

In this day and age when so many people want to look at others with a sense of difference, may we remember that God reigns above all with one voice.  It is God that we need to go to for advice and counsel.  It is God that showed us in the Bible how to live our lives.  It is God that provides us all that we need.  It is God who loves us unconditionally.

As we move forward, may we do so remembering what God wants for our lives.  "A new command I give you:  Love one another.  As I have loved you, so you must love one another." (John 13:34).  Let us make a commitment to walk through our days with love.  May we turn to God for advice and counsel, like the great King Solomon.  Remember that God was, is and will always be The Great Leader!  

Heavenly Father, grant us the wisdom of King Solomon in all of our days.  May we turn to you in all decisions and remember the Great Commandment to love one another.  Bless us and our country each and every day.  In your name we pray.  Amen!!

Be The One

The Christmas Cactus.  Such a beautiful plant with its deep dark leaves and beautiful coral flowers.  I have two of these lovely plants in my home and they have NEVER bloomed at Christmas time.  In fact, they have never bloomed in December.  Therefore, as I anticipate seeing their flowers in December, and they show up early, it seems as if it is a bit of a gift.  My larger Christmas cactus has started to bloom and has too many flowers to count.  Yet, this one that typically provides at least a dozen or so flowers has just one this year - one lowly flower.

As I watched the one bud turn into one flower over the past week, it reminded me of the beauty of one.  Although the cactus with all the flowers is beautiful, there is something simple and precious with this one.  Its beauty stands out.  Its uniqueness stands out.  Simply put, there is beauty in one.

There is so much happening in our world today, so much that seems to hinge on others - others' opinions, others' voices, others' actions.  We seem to have lost the beauty in one.  Where does that beauty lie and how can we "be the one"?

• Be The One that helps an elderly person in the store.
• Be The One that helps to pay for the single mom's groceries.
• Be The One that smiles and gives to the homeless person on the street.
• Be The One that provides a meal to a neighbor who is struggling.
• Be The One that makes that phone call to someone who is alone.

One might say, "that seems easy enough", and it may be.   Do we need to stretch a bit?  Let's try these:

• Be The One that starts and ends each day thanking God for all the blessings you have received.
• Be The One that reaches out to someone who is hurting and prays with them.
• Be The One that invites someone to church.
• Be The One that tells about the Good News of Jesus.

With all the hurt, all the frustration and all the anxiousness in our world today, Be The One that shines with all the wonderful deeds God has done for us.   For He is the One that gives all we have, He is the One that loves us unconditionally, He is the One that died for our sins and He is the One that is saving a place for us in heaven.  I urge all of us to Be The One that God has placed on this Earth to provide goodness and light.  Let God work his love through you so that you can Be The One for someone else.  

Heavenly Father, you are The One that created heaven and earth.  You are The One that provides us love and eternal life.  Help us to Be The One that you created, The One that shares your love with others, The One that brings the hope of your salvation to all those in need.  As we begin this November, may we be thankful for all you have given us, The One who bring us peace.  In your loving name we pray, Amen.