SAFE AND SECURE ON THE TITANIC?

Greetings friends! Societal fear and anxiety have grown to a near engulfing level. From the endless “pandemic” discussions, to out of control violence in our streets to depression in our hearts and homes. Fear and anxiety hang like heavy chains, attempting to weigh us down. As this reality plays out in front of me, I am moved to encourage the Lord’s people to focus on the Truth of our collective circumstance and to offer authentic, Biblical hope, and remind each of us to share Christ with those in our circle of influence.

Rather than trying to capture the idea anew, I have chosen to offer a devo from Pastor Jeff Schreve (who has graciously given me permission to share his writing on my blog). His short devotional echoed the thoughts of my own heart and so pointedly described out present circumstance. I pray it both encourages, and directs you in these last days.

Becky White

SAFE AND SECURE ON THE TITANIC?

“For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness.” – Romans 1:18

On April 10, 1912, the RMS Titanic set sail from Hampton, England to New York for her maiden voyage. Titanic was far and away the greatest luxury liner of her day. The ship was massive, elegant, and powerful. She was deemed “the unsinkable ship.” However, that boastful moniker proved woefully untrue. Within five days at sea, the unthinkable happened to the unsinkable, and the mighty ship lay broken and destroyed at the bottom of the Atlantic Ocean.

Titanic was repeatedly warned of iceberg sightings in her path. The radio operators viewed the warnings as disruptions, responding disdainfully to one of the messages with this angry retort, “Shut up! I’m busy!” Not to be outdone, the captain’s attitude was “full speed ahead!” No doubt he arrogantly and erroneously felt bulletproof on “the unsinkable ship.”

INEVITABLE DESTRUCTION

Once Titanic hit the iceberg on April 14, the hull was irreparably damaged, and the clock began ticking toward inevitable destruction. Did the passengers realize the immensity of the problem? Did they understand that time was running out on their pleasure cruise? Certainly not! By and large, they were oblivious to the pending maritime disaster. No doubt some of them were still complaining about the temperature of the soup at dinner, the arrangement of the deck chairs, the song choice of the stringed quartet, the need for fresh towels in their stateroom, and other trivialities. In hindsight, the truth was crystal clear. Other than survival, nothing else really mattered once the ship struck the iceberg.

Tragically, lifeboats were woefully insufficient to accommodate all the passengers. As a result, 1,517 people perished in the sea, almost half the total number of passengers who excitedly boarded on April 10.

DO YOU SEE THE PARALLEL?

I wonder how many of us are like the oblivious passengers who were aboard Titanic. I wonder how many of us are majoring on the minors. We get so focused on me and mine that we forget the clock is ticking on this Christ-rejecting world. Make no mistake, America has struck the iceberg! The wrath of Holy God is coming, and rightfully so. This world belongs to Him … and we have trashed it with a litany of capital offenses:

1. The rejection of God and His Word. There is no longer a rightful fear of Him in American public life. (As a result, there is no respect for authority.)

2. The murder of sixty million innocent babies through abortion (ten times that of Hitler’s death camps).

3. The unconscionable evil of kidnapping young girls for sex trafficking.

4. The flagrant reveling of depravity as we heartily embrace fornication, adultery, pornography, homosexuality, and other forms of sexual deviancy.

5. The rampant physical abuse of women and children in our homes and cities.

6. The proliferation of drug and alcohol abuse in order to cope with life.

7. The flippancy of commitment regarding marriage, divorce, and family.

8. The blatant lies and deceptions running rampant in government, media, institutions of higher learning, and many churches.

WHAT TO DO?

What are we to do in the face of such a shameful list? What are we to do as passengers aboard a sinking ship? I think the answer is simple. Each of us needs to repent and get right with God … and sound the alarm! God has called us to be watchmen on the wall (Ezekiel 33:1-7) to warn people of the destruction that is coming soon. As Christians, our only real reason for being on this earth is to shine for Christ and share the good news that Jesus saves! We are here to follow in the Lord’s footsteps, to seek and save the lost before it’s too late.

May we be faithful to pray, obey, and boldly declare the ship is going down … but there is one, and only one, unsinkable lifeboat in the Lord Jesus Christ. And there is room for anyone who wants aboard!

Love, Pastor Jeff Schreve From His Heart Ministries

Visit the products page for a free pdf of Stony Paths devotional or to purchase a hard copy.

Even if He Doesn’t

We had hoped He was The One… Luke 24:21

Lord, if You had been here…. John 11:21

Even if He doesn’t… Daniel 3:18 NLT

And we know that God causes all things to work together for our good and His glory.

Romans 8:28 Becky’s version

Though the following story occurred several years ago, the emotion and memory feel like it happened just yesterday…

As I read and reread the text on my phone screen, the lump in my throat grew and the tears began to well, as what-if thoughts engulfed me… “This can’t be. Oh Lord…” Reminding myself that God is able to do above and beyond all that I could dare ask for or imagine, I tearfully, though confidently, prayed for my loved one. Certain that “A” would be the outcome of this crisis and not “B.” I was just sure…

As sure as the disciples were that Jesus was The One – the long-awaited Messiah.

As sure as Joseph, when God gave him lofty dreams of royalty and influence for his future.

As sure as Mary and Martha, when they sent word for Jesus to come quickly and heal their brother.

As sure as the three Hebrew slaves that God would deliver them in their fiery furnace crisis.

Yet Jesus was wrongfully convicted and then crucified.

Yet Joseph became a slave and then a forgotten prisoner.

Yet the three Hebrews were thrown into the fiery furnace.

Yet Lazarus died.

And yet my heart broke as I watched “B” unfold in the life of someone I love.

Listening in on the three Hebrew slaves, who were eventually thrown into the fiery pit – they made this mic-drop statement to the mad tyrant who seemingly held their life in his hands. “Our God is well able to deliver us O King, but even if He doesn’t, we will not bow down to you or your image.” (See Daniel 3)

Did you catch that? Even if He doesn’t…. Seriously? Can’t they smell the oversize grill, sizzling behind them? Where’s their positive confession?

Do I have the kind of faith that will carry me through even- if-He-doesn’t scenarios? Or is my faith resting on/dependent upon a particular outcome? As I wrestled with the reality of what happened in my outcome “B” scenario, I came face to face with my own heart, a heart that felt like God had let me down. Dropped the ball. Forgot about me. I realize it’s not spiritual to admit that, but it’s necessary …it’s real. As the Lord and I walked through that painful conversation, in the end, I told Him, “Father, even if this doesn’t change … help me trust You. I choose to trust You, even through pain and tears and whatever else is around the corner.  I know You are good. I know You are faithful.”

The same heat that melts wax, hardens clay.

Unknown

Is there an outcome “B” scenario crashing through the door of your life? Has it revealed a crack in your faith or shaken what you’ve thought could happen to a Believer?   Or maybe your outcome “B” has caused deeper, stronger roots, though mingled with real tears.

My challenge to each of us is to not allow our circumstances to drive our faith. To not allow our circumstances to define God. But instead, to look at our circumstances through the lens of God and His Word. If He has allowed it, He will use it for our good and His glory. We may not have all the answers, but we can choose to trust Him in the dark. He gave the life of His Son for us, surely He has “earned” our trust, even if He doesn’t .…

Father God, would You take my outcome “B” scenarios and use them to deepen my trust in You? While I intercede/pray in faith for the issues of life, grant me the capacity to walk on the water of my circumstances – come what may. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

Written by Becky White for the Lord Jesus

Click here to purchase a hard copy or download a FREE pdf of the devotional, Stony Paths learning to trust Him as we walk the Stony Paths of real life.

You may also purchase Stony Paths, learning to Trust Him as we walk the Stony Paths of real life, by visiting Lulu Publishing or Amazon.

Prodigals (and those who love them)

Then Jesus said, “There was a man who had two sons. The younger son said to him, ‘Father, give me my share of the estate.’ So he divided his property between them. After a few days, the younger son got everything together and journeyed to a distant country, where he squandered his wealth in wild living. Luke 15:11-13 NLT

Miracles are God’s department. – Ruth Bell Graham

If you have no prodigals of your own, you may be tempted to skip over this devo … please let me encourage you to read on … because I bet you know someone who does.  

The sterile, nuts and bolts dictionary definition of prodigal is, “to use money, resources (including relationships) and even time itself, recklessly.” This may describe our children (teen or adult), spouses, parents, siblings, grandchildren or even ourselves.

To live recklessly.

Having a couple prodigals of my own (and having been one!), I felt drawn to read and reread the entire chapter of Luke 15, pulling wisdom, comfort and encouragement from my Father God through His Word. Glancing at the page in front of me, I noticed (for the 1st time) that chapter 15 of Luke contains these headings:

The parable of the Lost Sheep.

The parable of the Lost Coin.  

The parable of the Lost Son.

Lost Son … the emotion of that sentence caught in my throat. There’s no dictionary that can adequately capture the meaning of that phrase.

Lost Son … though just typed letters on a page, if you have a *lost son (or daughter), those words are pregnant with emotion. If you are a lost son, I hope the words provide a reminder that you belong to a family. And they feel your absence deeply.

The Son of God shares this parable as an illustration for us to see, and even feel, how valuable we are to our Father God and how He responds to the lost. I believe He also shares this story for all “lost sons” (and daughters) and for all the aching moms and/or dads longing for their return. He so lovingly provides a blueprint for walking out the unique heartache that, often, He alone understands. After all, all His children were at one time, lost.

Decision Magazine 2005

Though there is much to draw from this chapter, I want to use it for a singular purpose. To offer authentic encouragement.  Our Father God sees our prodigal and is at work in their life in ways and means that we do not see. While we are not promised a particular outcome, we can trust that He is moving in their lives because we asked Him to.

While lines of communication should remain open, we must let them go … into His care. And trust. He’ll let us know if there’s something we are supposed to do.

One last point, as you pray and ache for your lost one, be the answer to another’s prayer. Seek out ways to serve, provide hope and actively pray for other hurting folks and their prodigals. That addict on the street or that looking-put-together but really a hot-mess adult child of someone else – they need your touch. Your service. Your interaction. Don’t be so distracted by your own challenges, that you are blind to those He places in your path.

If you are a lost one, forget what’s happened in your past. Cry out to God and then make that phone call or send that text. If those doors are closed, reach out to a praying friend. But know this, the Lord God will welcome you back … in a heartbeat. He loves you so.

Until they draw their last breath, we must not stop praying. Calling to mind that nothing is too difficult for Him.

“Endurance is not just the ability to bear a hard thing, but to turn it into glory.”

William Barclay

Father, we lay our prodigals in Your hands… and trust that You will work in their lives in ways and means that we cannot. You are God. You are good. You are able. And You are faithful. In the meantime, use us in the lives of others, enable us to be Your answer to another’s prayer.  In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Written by Becky White for the Lord Jesus

Suggested resources/thoughts:

Pray Psalm 139, as you personalize it with your “lost ones” name. So powerful.

The Prodigal Prayer Guide: “Nothing is more devastating than watching a loved one walk away from the Lord. Yet in the middle of this grief, God offers a beautiful invitation to trust Him and to draw nearer to Him than ever before.”

Prodigals and Those Who Love Them: Words of Encouragement for Those Who Wait by Ruth Bell Graham

For Prayer: 1-888-NEED-HIM 

https://www.NeedHim.org

 https://tsc.nyc/prayer/  (If you use the Times Square Church app, you can text prayer requests as well).

*Some reading this have lost a son (or daughter) to death. I am so sorry for your pain and loss … I, myself have two children in heaven. There are no words adequate to express your pain.  Only the God of all comfort is able to enter in to such unimaginable grief and then enable us to put one foot in front of the other as we continue (really) living … all for his glory. Let’s not waste our pain.

From Christmas Cookies to Counting Calories

For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.  Ephesians 2:10 NKJV

I can do nothing on my own.  John 5:30aESV

I can do all things through him who strengthens me. Philippians s 4:13 ESV

And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work. 2 Corinthians 9:8 ESV

You know the New Year is just around the corner when shops and advertisements boomerang from images of whipped cream-topped hot cocoa and a mouthwatering cookie, to aisles of treadmills, ellipticals and tax prep packages. Yep, we’ve turned the corner from “The most wonderful time of the year” to a season of making resolutions of weight loss, getting out of debt or ending a bad habit. A season that’s ripe with determination to try harder, and take advantage of the clean slate in front of us. Yet, before we see Valentine candy on the store shelves, many of us are already filled with despair at our lack of ability or willpower to maintain the desired course corrections.

I promise not to add to your list of what you must do or change or how you must do better in the coming year. No guilt trip here. What I will do is remind both of us of the foundational truth that we are a broken, lost, hot-mess people, unable to change ourselves. Willpower, determination or positive thinking, will not (alone) do the trick, though those are definitely our allies in the process. As with the salvation of our soul, He alone is able to change us from the inside out, and enable us to become all He has planned for us.

That plan may include reevaluating our health (or lack of it), reevaluating relationships or how we spend our resources of time, talent and money. It most certainly includes an honest assessment of our relationship with Jesus Christ, the One who paid our sin debt in full. What it doesn’t include is an end-of-our-rope striving to be better, do better and work harder to be “good” (as if…).

We can do nothing on our own, but we can do all things through Christ who gives us strength. We are His workmanship, His masterpiece. And as you see treadmills filling store aisles, refuse to despair. May they be only reminders that you are His workmanship. Rely on His wisdom, strength and ability to put His finger on areas of needed change and provide what’s needed to live out the life He has given you.

If you wait until you feel like taking action, you’ll never make progress.

Don Howe

Father, Please put Your finger on areas of my life that need changed or reevaluated. As I honestly acknowledge them, enable me to make whatever course corrections are necessary as I lean into You as my Strength to accomplish what I cannot. In Jesus’ name, Amen

Written by Becky White for the Lord Jesus

Stepping Stones

As for you, you meant evil against me but God meant it for good to bring about this present result.

Genesis 50:20 NASB

As the story of Joseph’s life unfolds, we find a young man excited about the future God has for him. From the dreams given, and readily shared with his family, we can see God has a super-sized future in mind for him! But his big brothers weren’t so impressed with their kid brother and his dreams of valor. When their contempt began brimming over for this “little dreamer” as they called him, they hatched a plot to take his life. In the end, rather than kill him, they sold him to traveling merchants. Selling him into a life of slavery.

Maybe you can relate. Have your dreams turned into dashed expectations and a painful new reality?

So much for a God-ordained, super-sized future. So much for dreams of God’s call on his life. He must have misunderstood. He must have heard God all wrong.

Not quite. God often uses the unlikely, the ordinary and the downright painful to bring about His purposes for our lives. Trace out the path God providentially wove – Joseph would have never become prime minister of Egypt if he had not been sold into slavery.

Read the entire story. (See Genesis 37-50) See how again and again, the pain filled, and often unfair, events in Joseph’s life are nothing less than stepping-stones masterfully placed by God to fulfill one man’s destiny. To place him exactly where he’s needed, when he’s needed. Joseph understands this truth as he boldly declares on four occasions, “God sent me here. He sent me ahead of you.” God is in charge. Period. Pain and all.

I trust You to create my life’s story and to give me all I need to fully live out the path You have planned for me. 

Tony Evans

Beloved, who are the “older brothers” in your life? Have you been “sold into slavery” of some kind? Have you been your own pit creator and slave seller?

Has something or someone caused you to believe that God’s promises are for everyone else but you? As if you, and your circumstances, are the one exception? Listen to me dear one, “they” may have meant it for evil but God meant it for good, to bring about His call on your life. Your pain may very well be God’s stepping-stones for the destiny He has planned.

Father, Grant us a stepping-stone mentality on the trials that swirl around us. It’s so easy to feel like we’re the one exception to all You’ve promised. We choose to take one step at a time into the future You have planned for us, knowing that You hold our right hand. Thank You for your great faithfulness!

In Jesus’ name, Amen

Written by Becky White for my Lord Jesus

Merry Christmas

“Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift.” 2 Corinthians 9:15

I’m sure your inbox or mail box or social media thread is brimming with Season’s Greetings or Happy Holidays and even a few Merry Christmases. I don’t intend to add to that clutter this Holy Day.

Just a reminder to myself and you dear one, why we celebrate this birthday with such fanfare. While we can debate the exact date of our Saviors birth (I won’t) and we can examine traditions like Santa or Christmas trees and snow (I won’t).

I simply want to land on His Word that encapsulates this Holy Day – “Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift.” Our salvation purchased through the life of this divine babe, the one and only Son of God. Who grew up and was offered as The Lamb of God on Calvary’s Cross. To satisfy, both the payment needed for our sin debt while also satisfying the immense love of God for ones such as you and I.

I bow in adoration, as I look on my sparkly, icicle covered Christmas tree, in silent amazement at the only gift that truly matters and that all of us need. His Son….

Thank You Father, for Your indescribable gift.

Written by Becky White for my Lord Jesus

10 Lessons for the Trials of Life

Becky’s Autobiography

Declaring the end from the beginning, And from ancient times things which have not been done, Saying, ‘My purpose will be established, And I will accomplish all My good pleasure. ISAIAH 46:10 NASB

Dear one, if I could sit down with you at my kitchen table over a hot cup of coffee and open my heart, I would offer you all the nuggets of pure gold He has taught me. But my first words would be to tell you how sorry I am for your pain. No theological explanations. Then I would hug you, offer you something to eat and get out my Bible.

May I pretend that we are sitting across my table now and I’ll share with you some truths I have gleaned over the years? Lessons learned while passing through the furnace of affliction are not soon forgotten; rather they become part of who we are. What I am offering are rock solid, Christ centered truths that infused me with strength to go on one more day in the face of near hopelessness. Truth to counteract the enemy’s lies. Truth that caused me to rise with renewed hope – such Truth that can enable you as well.

I have outlined 10 lessons God kneaded into my soul throughout my years of great difficulty. No – this is not an exhaustive list but rather highlights that I believe can, and will, encourage you as you walk through your rivers of difficulty and your furnace of affliction. May you come forth as gold.

Download the FREE 10 Lessons pdf here

10 LessonsDownload

Every Detail

The LORD directs the steps of the godly. He delights in every detail of their lives.  Psalm 37:23 NLT

“But you, O Bethlehem *Ephrathah, who are too little to be among the clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me One who is to be ruler in Israel, whose coming forth is from of old, from ancient days.” Micah 5:2

At that time the Roman emperor, Augustus, decreed that a census should be taken throughout the Roman Empire. (This was the first census taken when Quirinius was governor of Syria.) All returned to their own ancestral towns to register for this census. And because Joseph was a descendant of King David, he had to go to Bethlehem in Judea, David’s ancient home. He traveled there from the village of Nazareth in Galilee. He took with him Mary, to whom he was engaged, who was now expecting a child.

And while they were there, the time came for her baby to be born. She gave birth to her firstborn son. Luke 2:1,6  NLT

“Even when I don’t see it, You’re working.” – Way Maker

It felt so sudden, and certainly, an unnecessary added burden. Just as this young couple was coming to terms with the “unplanned” divine Child growing in her womb, and as they maneuvered the stares and whispers of her “predicament,” the emperor issued his first-time census. Such an inconvenience, not to mention the physical toll it would take on the now, heavily pregnant, Mary. Wasn’t the LORD aware of how this days-long journey would impact Mary and Joseph?  Did this trivial, yet burdensome detail, slip through His Sovereign fingers? And as an added bonus, once the couple arrived at their destination, they were turned away, the only offering was a barn where animals slept. Had God forgotten about them?

Nope. Not even close. The Sovereign One was actually orchestrating these seemingly sudden and unexpected events, to place Mary at just the right moment (nine months pregnant!) in just the right place (Bethlehem in Judea). To give birth to the promised Messiah, in the exact location foretold hundreds of years earlier. (Micah 5:2)

Which made me think of some details in my own life. Details that look so unnecessary and an added burden to challenges already in place.

Are there events and details in your life that appear sudden, unexpected, unwanted or burdensome? Do you secretly question if He even sees you or maybe that He doesn’t concern Himself with “trivial” matters (He is God, after all, that’s a pretty demanding job description)? Does it feel like He has dropped the ball by allowing trials to slip through His divine fingers and into your life?

He has a plan. And every detail is working out His purposes for your life.

Becky White

Nope. Not even close. While there’s no miraculous, divine birth being arranged, there is the story of your life being directed, one step at a time, and His word assures is that He delights in every detail of our lives. Did you catch that? Every detail. According to His word, even events that seem accidental are really ordered by Him. Divinely fitting each piece into the plan, He has purposed. (Job 42:2).

This Christmas, as you think on the events that brought our Savior to earth, consider all the seemingly insignificant details that were exactly what was needed to fulfill the prophesies surrounding Jesus’ physical birth (I’ve only listed a few, there are hundreds). Now think on the events and details He has allowed into your life.  Whatever those events are, trust that He knows what He’s up to. He has a plan. And every detail is working out His purposes for your life.

“Every experience God gives us, every person He puts in our lives is the perfect preparation for the future that only He can see.”  – Corrie Ten Boom

Father God, I stand amazed that You take ordinary details and trials, and even adversity, to bring about Your purposes. For me. Praise You, O Most High! In Jesus’ name, Amen

Written by Becky White for the Lord Jesus

Click here for a FREE pdf of the devotional, Stony Paths.

Click here to purchase my autobiography, Come Forth as Gold.

*Micah 5:2 makes a couple of predictions. First, the birthplace of this future “ruler of Israel” would be Bethlehem Ephrathah. Since there were two locations known as Bethlehem at the time of Micah’s writing, the addition of Ephrathah is significant. It specifies the Bethlehem in Judah, the portion of Israel in which the capital, Jerusalem, was located. Bethlehem was considered “little,” or insignificant, among the cities of Judah, yet would serve as the birthplace of this future ruler.   GotQuestions.org

Frame Your Circumstances Around Truth

Recently, I was in deep thought about a horrendous tragedy that occurred in a friend’s life, and simultaneously, another friend’s reaction to a relatively minor difficulty. These twin issues caused me to think about modern “Americanized” Christian theology concerning life’s difficulties – which all too often is either a hollow, “Oh, just praise the Lord, honey” or a cynical, “Where’s your God now?” by skeptics. In addition, there are those who simply don’t think Your people have such trials … I’ve lived long enough to know better. Maybe you have too.

Would you allow me to share with you my personal talk with God on the matter? Thank you for listening in …

Father, either Your word is always true, all the time or it’s all a sham. Period. No middle ground. Nazi concentration camps, scrapped knees, cancer, and colds. A life spared and one grievously taken. From glorious “happy endings” to the lonely and despairing.  Again, either Your Word is true all the time or it cannot be relied upon. Period. No middle ground.

I see in Your Word that a man was born blind and then lived blind for decades, when onlookers asked You if the blindness was because of sin he or his parents committed, You answered, “Neither, but that the glory of God would be manifest through his life.” John 9:2. You gave this man the privilege of bringing glory to Your name. But Father, I bet if You were taking volunteers, this isn’t one he would have signed up for. I can think of many ways I would like to be used by You, but I admit decades of blindness wouldn’t be one of them.

Help me frame my circumstances around this truth … if You gave the life of Your Son for me, is there anything I can’t trust You with? 

Becky White

Your Word tells me that you loved me so much that You allowed your Son to endure betrayal, a torturous beating, a corrupt court system conviction and an excruciating death – You even turned Your back on Him. For me?  I can barely type the words … the realization is overwhelming. While I was helpless to help myself, You volunteered to take my place … because You love me. John 3:16. O, Father! Help me frame my circumstances around this truth … if You gave the life of Your Son for me, is there anything I can’t trust You with? 

When you see no present advantage, walk by faith and not by sight. Do God the honor to trust Him when it comes to matters of loss for the sake of principle.

Charles Haddon Spurgeon

Father, there is so much loss around us, which feels magnified during this holy season of Christmas. When we cannot understand, when we feel forsaken or cannot reconcile what we see with Your Word, enable us to trust You anyway. Even if through tears or clenched teeth. We choose to trust You … We will remember the Cross and cling to You … and offer the only hope there is to a hurting world or neighbor or co-worker. You. Along with a listening ear (and possibly a casserole!).

Written by Becky White for the Lord Jesus

Click here for FREE devotional – Stony Paths

Icicles and Lambs

And she gave birth to her firstborn, a Son. She wrapped Him in swaddling cloths and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.…

Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.

Luke 2:7 Berean Study Bible            John 1:29 ESV

I love all things sparkly! Every year I layer our Christmas tree with an entire package of hand-me-down silvery icicles. I so enjoy the way the Christmas lights reflect off the silvery beauty! As much as I love the sparkle of Christmas decorations, I know this isn’t the real meaning and symbol of Christmas.

The original “Christmas scene” is rich with symbolism and depth of meaning, and definitely no cutesy fairy tale or sterile religious scene as we may accidentally portray it with our graceful Nativity figures. The authentic Nativity is gritty real-life embedded with layers of meaning. And the only sparkle were the stars of heaven. Come with me for a few moments, step away from ribbons and bows or perhaps the grief that some are experiencing this Holy-Day and let us push back the hay, peering into the stable …

The Lamb of God, born alongside smelling, dirty lambs. The Lamb of God, born to take away the sin of the world, birthed alongside animals intended to temporarily cover the sin of the people. John 1:29 Jesus, The Bread of Life, lain in a feeding trough. Beckoning us to feed on the only thing that authentically satisfies the hunger of our soul and deepest longings. Him. John 6:33

His teenager mom,  gave birth in a barn/cave, not because she enjoyed the rustic setting, but because there was no room for them anywhere else. They were not wanted or welcomed or cared for by others. From His first Word-made-flesh-Divine-breath to His crucifixion on Mt. Calvary, He experienced the pains of our humanness. Rejected. Outcast. Sorrow. Misunderstood. As the Holy Spirit spoke through Isaiah the prophet 700 years earlier, “He was a Man of sorrows and acquainted with grief…. Despised and rejected by men …”

His birth announcement didn’t include a Santa-hat photo in the society pages of Bethlehem but did make the shepherd evening news. Angels arrived during the night-shift of lowest-on-the-totem-pole of that society to proclaim the good news for all the world (Isn’t that just like our God?). “Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people; for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”  And suddenly there appeared with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased.” Luke 2

Stepping away from the stable and back into my modern-day Charles Dickens-esq Christmas celebrations I am reminded … that Jesus is the Lamb of God, who came to take away my sins … He is the Bread of Life sent from heaven, the only One who can truly satisfy our needs. He knows our pain of rejection or grief.  And Jesus offers us joy beyond measure as we bow our heart and kneel before the Lord our Maker –a Maker Who came wrapped in swaddling clothes laying in a feeding trough.

He offers all this to us, beloved.

God became flesh – doing it all in a most unexpected way, in a most unexpected place to a most undeserving people. The world. You. Me.

Whatever the Christmas holiday looks like in your world, from my never-enough-sparkles, to alone in a  prison cell (physical or emotional) or taking in the reality of  a cancer diagnosis, to a military spouse teary-eyed with loneliness, to a new mom holding her own swaddled child. Lean hard into the Lamb of God this Christmas…

“Christ didn’t only come into the world that first Christmas night in Bethlehem, but He wants to come into our lives today, and every day of the year.” – Billy Graham

Billy Graham

Father God, I bow before You in awe of Your faithfulness. Providing the spotless Lamb, Your very own Son … for me … Please show me where I “don’t make room” for You in my life … and enable me to daily recognize the depth of my need for You … as I bask in Your goodness, even as it comes in ways and by means that I did not expect. I love You. In Jesus’ name, Amen

Written by Becky White for the Lord Jesus