More than anything else, Christmas to me is about love. But how is love shown most effectively? At Christmas we try to do it with gifts. But our socio-economic state has no bearing
on the wealth of love we have to share with our family and friends. I can’t give as many or as valuable gifts as
others may give. That doesn't mean I love you any
less.
I show love by “showing up.”
Being there when I can’t or won’t give you everything you want should
speak more to you than what you get. It
is what lasts a lifetime. Showing up
with attention, a kind word, a hug, a shoulder to cry on, a comical moment.
History shows us that God showed up and demonstrated his
love for us. He showed up for Noah and
his family. He showed up for the people
of Israel. Account after account in the
Old Testament displays God showing up, not always giving his people what they
want, but showing up for them.
And then the New Testament opens with God showing up in a
major way, Emmanuel, God with us. And God
continued to show up. In fact, the Bible
tells us that when we could not gain His favor on our own, He showed up one
more time and “while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” God, in his Son Jesus Christ, showed up and
died for us that we could be united with God forever.
This Christmas I have been thinking about the stress I
experience and the stress my family experiences. I have been negligent in remembering and
acknowledging that God has “shown up” in my life and will continue to show up. And
because of that, “All is well!” It’s the
message of the song by Michael W. Smith.
If you haven’t heard it, you need to listen to it.
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| www.youtube.com/watch?v=cjZfeEJgNRw |
So I am not making a New Year’s resolution. I never keep them. I don’t like them. I am, however, taking a lesson of Christmas
to heart and making it part of my future. I am telling myself several times
daily “All is well!” I’m reminding myself
that God has already shown up and He will continue to show up. My stress is really unnecessary. Your stress is really unnecessary, cause God
has shown up and “All is well.”
All Is Well - Micahel W. Smith
All is well all is well. Angels and men rejoice
For tonight darkness fell Into the dawn of love's light
Sing A-le, Sing Alleluia
All is well all is well. Let there be peace on earth.
Christ is come go and tell that He is in the manger.
Sing A-le, Sing Alleluia
All is well all is well. Lift up your voice and sing.
Born is now Emmanuel. Born is our Lord and Savior.
Sing Alleluia. Sing Alleluia. All is well!
