December 22 “I Can See….” Psalm 146:8
Good morning from Pastor Glen Brock, Baptist Tabernacle Church, Wendell, North Carolina… “The Lord openeth the eyes of the blind: the Lord raiseth them that are bowed down: the Lord loveth the righteous:” (Psalm 146:8)
Many years ago, on the Sunday before Christmas, I was sitting on the front row, that was where the child of the “Preacher” was expected to sit, and I was focused on the “Full-Sized” Nativity Scene that graced our sanctuary. The normal “Pre-game” noises were happening; people chatting, the piano was being coerced into making background music, and I was focused on this scene. I had seen Nativity displays before, yet, today was different. The Kneeling Shepherds attracted my attention as I studied their faces that were carved from wood. I have a reverence and I was transported back, some 2000 years, to that day, when the Star had led them to the place where Jesus lay. I began to imagine how these weary and amazed men must have felt. I began to think of their faith, their commitments, their curiosity, as they followed the instructions of the Angel and were in the presence of the future “Savior of the World!” “Glen!” “Earth to Glen!” All of a sudden, I realized that I was being called on to pray and I could tell that Daddy was a bit challenged. So, I prayed! It was different this time! Focused on the experience of a moment ago, I prayed with a bit more awareness of what God had done, through Jesus, for us! I finished the prayer and settled back into the pew and resumed my focus on this beautiful scene that was before me. I re-focused on the faces of these Shepherds and, once again, I was transported to that day that these men first saw Jesus. How could I have missed this amazing and prophetic scene before? Christmas had always been about gifts, both purchasing and receiving, and Mama’s cooking and decorations and the atmosphere of Friendly behavior between, normally, people that were, at bests, hard to deal with! Amazingly, for just a moment, I experienced what the Shepherds had seen, and I was in awe! At that moment, Christmas became real and I, actually, for the first time, experienced a true Christmas worship experience. I saw the real beauty in relationships with others, the blessings of every day, the joy of being able to experience each new day, and suddenly, at least for me, it was CHRISTMAS! What if we would slow down and take a closer look at each new day and allow the Beautiful Bethlehem’s Star to light our path, every moment and enjoy the true beauty of the life before us? That day, the Sunday before Christmas, the veil was stripped from my eyes, and I began to see, His glory and destiny of this gift of Love from the Father, this baby Jesus, that the Shepherds were kneeling and worshipping. I pray that you will see the Real, True message of the Manger and embrace the majesty of Jesus’ Birth and Mission. THANK YOU FATHER GOD AND HAPPY BIRTHDAY JESUS! Stay Strong, Stay Focused…THE BEST IS YET TO BE!