Prepare Him Room

“Let every heart, prepare Him room.” Are we preparing room for Jesus this Christmas? Or are our calendars filled with shopping lists, guests and to-do lists, reunions and office parties? For several Christmases I have had the sad experience of getting lost in gift wrapper. I am just as guilty as the inn keepers during that first Christmas where they shook their heads signifying no more room for the coming King.

This year, I have resolved to make an effort to keep the main thing, the main thing. And the main thing is to celebrate Christ! Here are some ways to honor the Celebrant this season:

START CELEBRATION WITH THANKSGIVING. Did you know that Thanksgiving is not only celebrated in the US? Countries like Argentina, Grenada, Japan and the Netherlands also have Thanksgiving. Why not the Philippines? We have adopted this celebration---our own version, starting last year and it has been a blessing. We share a special meal and we give thanks, not only for the good things but also for circumstances that we cannot change. We also take time to thank one another and affirm each other’s strengths. We can do this any day.

WRAP & PRAY. Many of us are gift-givers. As we wrap those gifts, take time to pray for the person you will be giving the gift to. We all need prayers especially those who have yet to receive the best gift of all.

CHRIST IN THE CAROLS. My family enjoys music and we sing carols during holidays. This year, I plan to challenge them to find the gospel message or the true meaning of Christmas in familiar carols such as Hark the Herald, Joy to the World or O Come All Ye Faithful. You can also take it to the next level and discover the origin of the songs. Did you know that Joy to the World is inspired by Psalm 98? And it was written by Isaac Watts after he told his father that the songs in church were too solemn that it made him sleepy?

MEDITATING ON THE MANGER. We have a traditional wooden Belen that we set up every Christmas. After reading the Christmas story from the bible, we reflect on the different elements and characters and ask one another, “Who or what is your favorite and why?” I remember my answer last year. I said, “Joseph” because his obedience, despite the cost, inspired me. A memorable answer was given by my daughter. “Jesus, because He is the specialest!”

When our kids were younger, I can never forget the costume dinner we had. Yes, we chose a character in the manger to role play during dinner. My son, his yaya and I were shepherds. My daughter was an angel and my husband, a sheep. A visiting aunt and our gardener were kings and our cook was Mary! It is still the funniest Christmas memory I have. I remember how my daughter bowed down to worship the baby in the manger. I do recall the baby wrapped in swaddling clothes looked very much like Ernie of Sesame Street.

CHRIST CENTERED MEALS. After dinner last Sunday, each dressed in either red or white, we read aloud the familiar story of the candy cane and was reminded of Jesus, our sinless Savior and Great Shepherd. (You may email me for a copy of the story.) What a delight to dip candy canes in hot choco! It tasted minty. Mint chocolate is my favorite!

One Christmas, using folded tracing paper, with tea lights lit in the middle, we created our own lanterns. We made several of them and lit them all around the dining room. Then, we talked about the nature of light and celebrated Jesus as the Light of the world. I think we will do that again this year. I just discovered that there are lantern bags on sale in bookstores.

Invite a friend or a couple to join you as you celebrate Jesus!

CHRIST-CENTERED TAGS. Personalized tags are very popular. Why not Christ-centered tags? One Christmas, I was able to google an image of Santa kneeling by the baby in the manger. Visualize it. I thought it was a powerful illustration of who the real star of Christmas is. I pasted this image on the tags of gifts I gave to my young nephews, nieces and godchildren.

A SPECIAL PLACE ON THE TABLE. One Christmas a dear friend gave me a placemat to remind me of Jesus’ place in my life. It reminded us to set a special place for Jesus on our dining table. There we laid a cake and a candle because are we not celebrating His birth? Singing Happy Birthday to Him affirms His constant presence in our midst. Emmanuel, God with us.

A DATE WITH THE LORD. Take time out on your own to reflect on the year that was. With your planner in hand, check out the times Jesus showed Himself faithful as Provider, as Shepherd, as your Comforter, as Father, as Protector, as a Friend, as your Refuge and Help, as your source of wisdom, as your Prince of Peace. Thank Him, praise Him, worship Him!

PRAY FOR OPEN HEARTS. Still the best way to keep the main thing, the main thing is to share with others why Jesus came. Jesus is the greatest gift selflessly sent by the Greatest Giver to heal our greatest problem of sin. John 3:16 declares, “For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.”  Last week, I met Nino, a watchmaker on a wheelchair and I had the privilege of sharing with Him the message of salvation. Pray for opportunities to share and for hearts to make room for the best gift. Let earth receive her King!   

Let There Be Light

I used to look at creation as just the beginning of it all but I now recognize the love of God at work before any of us was born, carefully preparing a place for His creation to inhabit.

One of the first things that God created was light. Back then, He knew how we would need it. I contemplated on why it was one of the first and I came up with a string of realizations that has deepened my appreciation for light and for the Giver of light.

As I focused on the characteristics of light, I realized more and more the wisdom behind this wonderful creation.

Light reveals. Without light, I cannot read His Word. I cannot know God the way He wants to be known. I cannot see myself, who I really am, physically or spiritually. Part of aging is the weakening of eyesight. It amazes me how what I frustratingly try to configure under a light bulb, I can discern so well in broad daylight. Light helps me see and discover things.

Light directs. It guides me to see where I came from, where I am and where I need to go. It allows me to look upon the faces of those I love and see their needs.

Light empowers. It helps me see my way, especially in the dark. It allows me to be productive even in the dark. Case in point: at this very moment I am writing this article late at night so naturally, I need light to accomplish this. Just heard of this new lipstick that has a built in mirror--- and light. Sounds useful!

Light exposes. Darkness hides. When I make a mistake, I don’t naturally want it broadcasted. The less people know the better. But God always knows and the light of His truth exposes unrighteousness--wrongs that need to be made right. When it is out in the open, it can be addressed.

After it exposes, light convicts. Unrighteousness revealed calls for repentance. Sin ignored can cause greater harm. I have observed when housekeeping, mess unattended to declines into more disorder. Even if you switch off the light at night and ignore it, daylight will expose it and it is an eyesore. A clean up is in order and light speeds it up.

It does not only expose darkness and convict us of unrighteousness, light also dispels darkness.  I marvel at how one candle can prevail over the darkness in a closed area.

Light protects. There are ditches, holes, ledges that you can trip over as you walk. Light enables you to avoid these obstacles. Similarly, light helps me identify the enemy, his lies and his schemes. From this, I can flee or “praypare” to engage in battle.

Light gives hope. Oh, how I need this! Psalm 112 verse 4 says. “Light arises in the darkness…” No matter how thick the darkness that engulfs us, light will come to dispel it. Moreover, the light of the morning reminds me of the Lord’s mercies which are new. That is an untried, inexhaustible, fresh supply of divine mercy available daily.

Did not Jesus say that He is the Light of the world? Does He not use His word to reveal, direct, empower, expose, convict, deliver, protect and give hope?

Just like light, water and bread are just some of the things that the Lord Jesus used to describe Himself. Everyday necessities that we can relate with and many, including myself, cannot do without.

When the world was formless, God spoke creation into being. In a world that is decaying and growing darker, we need the Light of the World to dispel and overcome that darkness. And like those first spoken words that brought forth great wonders, providing us with what we needed for life, so shall these words declare all we ever need and much more, “Let there be…JESUS.”