He Makes the Season Wonderful

Someone recently shared a sweet testimony with me.  In an older version of our book "Living on the Devil's Doorstep," there was a form that could be filled in to be sent to our ministry in Amsterdam.  I don't even remember that!  You could ask for information, volunteer, or whatever.  

Well for some reason, no idea how, our book has made it into a number of prison libraries.  And prisoners have written to the address asking for Bibles, study materials, etc.  Some have shared how they came to know Jesus in prison.  The person receiving these requests has been putting them in contact with ministries near to the prison who have been following up with each one.

It's quite remarkable how these books have gone all over the world in such an unusual way, and God has used them to impact lives.....even in prisons.  Floyd would be so touched to hear these testimonies.  I love how God works!

In my studying this month of the characters in the Christmas story, this week I was drawn to Zechariah.  He was a priest, married to Elizabeth, and they were both known to be good, righteous people.  They were advanced in years, and had never had a child.  An angel appeared to him and told him his wife would bear a child.  Zechariah was fearful, and what he was hearing seemed preposterous because his wife was old!  He questioned the angel about it because it seemed so unbelievable.  The angel told him he would be mute, unable to speak, until the baby's birth because of his unbelief. 

My oh my - did I ever identify with this dear man!  I am practical, very black and white in my thinking......I can so understand how Zechariah would have found it hard to believe what the angel was saying.  They were both old, and his wife had been barren all her life.  I can only imagine how they had longed for a child.  Now they were of an age when it seemed absolutely impossible, and the angel says they are going to have a baby.  I'm quite sure I would have questioned the angel too!  How can this possibly be??

I guess what I learned from Zechariah is that I need to not be limited by my own personality and way of thinking.  I need to be willing to step out of my comfort zone and believe the word of the Lord when it comes.  I pray for wisdom and grace to be able to do that when I need to.  I know it will be challenging.

"There was in the days of Herod, the king of Judea, a certain priest named Zechariah, of the division of Abijah.  He had a wife of the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth.  They were both righteous before God, walking blamelessly in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord.  But they had no child, because Elizabeth was barren, and they both were well advanced in years.

Now it happened, while he was performing the priest's office before God...an angel of the Lord appeared to him...the angel said to him, "Do not be afraid, Zechariah, because your request has been heard, and your wife, Elizabeth, will bear you a son.

Zechariah said to the angel, "How can I be sure of this?  For I am an old man, and my wife is well advanced in years."  The angel answered him, 'I am Gabriel, who stands in the presence of God.  I was sent to speak to you, and to bring you this good news.  And look, you will be silent and not able to speak, until the day that these things will happen, because you did not believe my words.' "  Luke 1:5 - 25

One of the things I love about the Bible, it doesn't just tell us about "perfect" people.  It lets us see their humanness and weaknesses......so I/we can identify with them!

This is a tender month for me.  Floyd wasn't home with me the last 5 years, but I always went to the hospital and shared the season with him in various ways.  This year I can't do that.  I am missing him profoundly.

Before the Christmas season started, I made the decision that I was going to enjoy the season - letting tender memories come when needed, and rejoicing in the fact that Floyd is with Jesus who we are celebrating.  Sharing my reflections on the Christmas characters has helped me along the way and I have so appreciated the words of love and encouragement I've received from so many who have read what I've shared.  I'm so grateful! 

A couple weeks ago a friend sent me a song - "Wonderful" by CAIN with Steven Curtis Chapman.  It has been resonating in my heart about who Jesus is to us in coming so long ago.  The prophecy from Isaiah 9:6 was fulfilled in the manger in Bethlehem.  "For a child is born to us, a Son is given to us.  The government will rest on His shoulders.  And He will be called:  Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace."

One of the refrains from the song has been blessing my heart:

So let these gifts remind us
How Love came down to find us
Wonder of the ages
The life, the truth, the way
He is our
Wonderful
Counselor
The Mighty God, The Prince of Peace
Who’s strong enough to carry me
Immanuel
God with us
The One who’s love will never end
Oh, Jesus you can make this season Wonderful

Jesus has been making my season wonderful in spite of loss and sadness.  He carries my grief, and He ministers to my heart.  He is truly the One who can make our season Wonderful - whatever we are facing.  He is Immanuel - He's with us!  I'm so grateful.

We have lots of family Christmas photos taken through the years - because our family always loved to celebrate Christmas!  One of my favorite photos is of "Floyd Lee," as his mother called him.  She gave me this photo that I have shared above.  I framed it and usually put it out at Christmas.  We worked out that he's about 5 years old - look at those long legs he already had!!  And he already had the sweet smile he's known for. 

Even though I miss Floyd so much, I'm rejoicing in our Wonderful Savior!  I'm so thankful that Jesus came.