Merry Christmas-12-25-2010

December 25th, 2010 by JDVaughn Leave a reply »

December 25, 2010

Merry Christmas.

A special devotional from JD on  Christmas- Oswald Chambers will resume tomorrow.

Christmas Morning and I can hear Christmas carols coming from the stereo downstairs. Last night my brother Kent and his lady and I attended candlelight services at my church. Today I join my mother and other brother for Christmas dinner. My daughters are having Christmas with their “in laws” out of state this morning so we have been speaking and texting frequently on the phone over the last several days. Although all the XXXXOOOO’s and “I luv U 2’s” in text messages and telephone conversations do not replace warm hugs and laughter, it is good to stay connected on this special holiday. And it is only right and proper that my sons in law and their families get their fair share of special holidays.

And because my girls were out of state and not available (we got to be together on Thanksgiving as part of the quid pro quo) I took a special interest in the Christmas programs and candlelight services at church this year. I was even selected to be one of the narrators for one of the Christmas programs two weeks ago. None of the participants (except one of my co narrators) were or are professional performers, but we were directed by professionals and were expected to rehearse to deliver prepared, if not professional performances.

During our dress rehearsal, Thursday night before the Sunday service, l was visited by this very strong sense of being right where I was supposed to be. It was a warm and secure sense of….of…belonging. It was very pleasant although a different sense.  Was it a God thing? I do not know, although I did sense His presence and felt Him moving.

During a brief rest between scenes I looked out on the empty auditorium, cast a look over at the choirs and musical directors, and suddenly felt submerged by a sudden sense of belonging. My eyes filled and my heart moved up to my throat……….. I looked around and it was suddenly perfectly silent and still for a moment, although I could see people talking to one another; like someone turned off the sound while still sending the video. I simply looked around and took it all in.

It was moving moment, and then just as suddenly, it went away as the voices of the cast climbed my personal audio meter.

It was not a big thing compared to others I have heard or read about. It was not a supernatural or out of body experience, although it was and remains a special moment that I will always remember. But it was a moment to reflect on the very gift I needed this Christmas when my children were thousands of miles away. Right in the middle of an empty church God told me that I belonged to His family, and they were all around me.

I received a very special gift. Not the one I thought I wanted. I received the one that God knew I needed. I trust you did as well. Merry Christmas.

Matthew 6:30-34 (MSG)

 “If God gives such attention to the appearance of wildflowers—most of which are never even seen—don’t you think he’ll attend to you, take pride in you, do his best for you? What I’m trying to do here is to get you to relax, to not be so preoccupied with getting, so you can respond to God’s giving. People who don’t know God and the way he works fuss over these things, but you know both God and how he works. Steep your life in God-reality, God-initiative, and God-provisions. Don’t worry about missing out. You’ll find all your everyday human concerns will be met.

“Give your entire attention to what God is doing right now, and don’t get worked up about what may or may not happen tomorrow. God will help you deal with whatever hard things come up when the time comes.

 

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