8 Days to Christmas. Thursday, Dec 17, 2020

"One Step at a Time"

One of the anomalies of a life of Faith is that most of us expect the finished product, yet, at the same time all of us still need to take the next step. If this past year has left you bloodied on the side of the road, or if you just don’t think you’ve got the energy to stop and help the person who is on the side of the road, don’t shy away from these last few days leading to Christmas. You’ll have to trust me on this one: Those of us who are “Professionals'' at this are still searching every day for the keys to unlock Christmas hope, peace, joy, and love this year.

However, as we understand from the Scriptures, God's work at Christmas has nothing to do with what we already know, what someone else knows, or what any of us have already done or experienced. Instead, Christmas is about the things that have not yet happened in our lives.

Why is that important? Because if God was waiting for us to get things right, all of humanity would still be waiting for the first Christmas. When it comes down to it, none of us are really worthy to receive Christmas. Neither were the shepherds, magi, innkeeper, or the little drummer boy. All of them (and us) receive Christmas because of God’s love and mercy. We receive Christmas because we are riddled with mistakes and disease and all of us need God’s Christmas gift.

No matter where you are on the Christmas spectrum, don’t let your perceived position keep you from moving forward. God wants your very best, and if your very best is a small step forward, then take it. Don’t worry if you think you’re unworthy. NONE of us are worthy of this journey! But, with God’s help, both you and I can look back eight days from now and recognize that, truly, God is still in the business of performing miracles.

“ I have fought the good fight, finished the race, and kept the faith.” (2 Timothy 4:7, CEB).