The law given to Moses required that the firstborn be set apart as ‘Holy to the Lord'. Although our Lord Jesus’ human parents were only able to offer a “pauper’s sacrifice” on behalf of their firstborn son”. Their son Jesus, our savior, offers a life sacrifice as the firstborn from the dead. Do you long to have a way opened to that which is Holy? Simeon longed to see “the way to holy” with his own eyes. Anna prophesied about this way for those who longed for the redemption of Israel. Are you aware that you have the gift of access to the way to holy? How might you and I use this great gift? How might we share this gift? Explore with me this morning.
Other than not doing Christmas at all (See Grinch), we have two basic polarities for Christmas: “Busy” with emphasis on the activities and the “stuff”; and the “Internal” with emphasis on what is going on inside of us. Most of us are pretty good at balancing those, but sometimes the internal part (Christmas of the Heart) can get lost or pushed to the side. What is it about the Christmas activities or Christmas “stuff” that touches your heart? Does it bring joy, relationship warmth, spiritual centering, or the freedom to be a child again? Whatever your personal experience of this time of year, may you recognize all the opportunities to celebrate “Christmas of the Heart.”