BBD 12.08.06 Let Us Rejoice!
Posted by: wrather <wrather@...>
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The Burning Bush Devotional
Welcome to the 140 new subscribers since November 1, 2006!!
12.08.06
Let Us Rejoice!
Today's devotional was written by my son, Clark Wrather, who is the pastor
of the First Baptist Church of Broken Bow, Oklahoma. The title and Scripture
have been added.
After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had
seen in the east went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where
the child was. When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. On coming to the
house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and
worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts
of gold and of incense and of myrrh. - Matthew 2:9-11.
I wonder just how many Scrooges are reading this newsletter. You are a
Scrooge if you dread the time of year around Thanksgiving and Christmas and
look forward to it being over. Is this you? I am not too sure, why or how I
became a Scrooge, but it happened over the last few years. Possibly, it was
the rush of having to go to this and to that holiday event. Maybe, it was
the hassle of finding just the right gift for my children and everyone else
on my list. It may just be the fact that a good radio station is hard to
find during this time of year, one that is not playing Christmas music all
day long.
Whatever the reason, I admit I became a Scrooge. When I was younger, this
was my favorite time of year. I could not wait for it as a child and then as
an adult, I had the same anticipation. The food, the decorations, buying
presents and giving them combined to make things wonderful. Honestly, I'm
not at all sure how this changed.
I've realized recently, that every person only has so many Christmases.
There are only so many times that we get to celebrate this holiday during
our lives. Over the last few weeks, I have known about two men in their
early thirties, who died. Both deaths were unexpected and their families
have been on my mind as Christmas approaches. It will be difficult holiday
for them. Most of us think the holidays are difficult, but we really have no
idea what the words hard and difficult mean.
This year, I have decided to tender my resignation to Scrooges Anonymous and
enjoy the holidays with relish. Would you join me? As Christians who believe
in Jesus Christ, is there anything better to celebrate than the coming of
God's only Son into our world? Sure, it is hectic, buying gifts can be a
hassle, and there are parties you might want to miss, but none of those
things change the fact that the Creator became one of His creatures and you
are alive to celebrate it this Christmas.
Copyright © 2006. Ed Wrather. Permission is given for use of the devotionals
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