Wonder in Christmas Week

I suppose the days of Christmas Week could seem like any other days.  Ours have been COLD - and WHITE.  So "beginning to look a lot like Christmas!"

But, in my spirit at least, there seems a difference.  People ask each other about Christmas.  Are you going away for Christmas, or will you be home?

I've been saying, "I'm already having a wonderful Christmas."  There is the mysterious early coming in the dark, of my friends for Advent Bible Study.  All about how God planned to bring RECONCILIATION to the world.  So surprising.  Stars in the skies, men of wisdom watching, deciding to follow.  Shepherds in fields.  The heavenly Host. Something strange.  A GREAT SURPRISE.

A baby.  A king.  A prophet. A life come to the earth.  Something new.  A power for change.  For hearts changing.  By love. The Great Gift.

Then, there's Sunday, Christmas Day.  And preaching.  Telling the story.  So exciting for me - I read the message over, each day, trying to get it in my heart.

There's a real waiting for me - an expectation.  A journey for me.  To Jesus.  I need that journey.  I need that Jesus. Child, yes.  But standing, leading man.  The cross-bound man.  Slowly, He's making me ready.