merry christmas – it’s all about christ
I am grabbing a few minutes of precious Christmas Eve time to write down my thoughts about this whole Christmas thing. I need to get them out of my heart so I can remember them down the road.
I have been reading The Hidden Christ this whole year. Yes, for the whole year. Those of you who know me well know that I devour books on a daily or weekly basis, not on a yearly basis. I decided to approach this book a different way and really savor it by reading it in small chunks.
On Sunday afternoons or early weekly mornings I would read a few pages and then ponder what I read all day long. The insights of the author brought up so many new ideas in my own heart and mind that I wanted to really let them sink in and not breeze through them in my usual hurried manner. I wanted to digest it bit by bit and let it become a part of me and the way I understand my Savior. I wanted to understand the Old Testament and the symbolic teachings that pour out of its pages.
So, I took it slow.
I have thoroughly loved it. If any of you are looking for a greater understanding of the Old Testament, find this book, immerse yourself in the stories, and glory at your new eyes that will be able to see Christ more fully throughout all the history of the world.
I have read quite a bit of the book this month because I am a little ahead on my reading for my colloquia group (I have already read the books for January and February and am just starting on The Tale of Two Cities for March). I have thought much about Christ and Christmas and what it all really means to me. Our Christmas traditions are already focused on Christ, but sometimes the hustle and bustle of the season has a way of distracting me from the peace and the marvelous reality that there is a Savior that lived AND died AND was resurrected for me. Sometimes the presents under the tree have taken precedent over His presence in my life. I have been working on changing that for years and still have a long way to go, but I feel I have made some progress this year. Yes, I have sewn and I have shopped a little bit, but mostly I have served and pondered and rejoiced. Mostly I have tried to be loving. Mostly I have tried to let others feel the love of Christ. Mostly I have prayed to be an instrument in His hands to spread His message of mercy and truth and abounding love. Mostly I have tried to focus on Him and listen to Him.
As I prepare for the giving of presents tomorrow to the ones I love best, I hope they will feel my love, but more importantly they will feel His love for them and know they are in His care…and always will be.
Merry Christmas to you and may you feel the love of your Savior for you.
It is real.
I promise.
I'm Tracy, a mama with big dreams, crazy ideas, loads of laughter, an insatiable desire to learn, and enormous piles of laundry.
Tracy…I love you and the instrument you are. You make me feel His love every single time I see you…which is not enough. Anyone who would throw down their clipboard and run across a field to give a friend a warm and meaningful hug is on the right track!!!! Thank you for your inspiration, constant consideration of your fellow man and words that make me want to reach higher.
Tracy, you’ve likely already read it, but if not: I finished The Hiding Place (Corrie ten Boom) yesterday, and found it wonderfully full… gorgeous book. I’ll be putting The Hidden Christ on my list. Thank you for this post!
Oh, yes! The Hiding Place is one of my all time favorites. You should also read In My Father’s House by Corrie ten Boom. It tells all about her childhood and how her parents taught her of Christ and goodness and prepared her for the trials that later came into their lives.
I’m reading the Hidden Christ too. My Mother bought us a copy to share but I’m not sure it will find its way back to her house anytime soon!