Archive for December 24th, 2007
Weeping?
“Hey, Phil, why title your blog on Christmas eve, ‘Weeping?’” That’s a good question. And I will admit it is probably not appropriate, maybe even dumb and little on the dark side. However, in my reading from Matthew 2 today, the verse that clutched my heart was verse 18, the quote from Jeremiah talking about what has come to be called, “The Slaughter of the Innocents.”
I’m in the middle right now of getting 7 innoculations to hopefully go to Uganda with Compassion International in February. I serve on the board of Christian Homes and Family Services, an agency that seeks to help birth mothers, their babies, and those seeking to adopt a child. I am blessed with two, fantastic, grown children. I love kids. I want them to know about Jesus. I want this story of Jesus’ birth to be a treasure to each child and each child to know he or she is a special treasure to Jesus.
BUT …!
//Inspiration: Matthew 2:18
A voice is heard in Ramah, weeping and great mourning; Rachel weeping for her children and refusing to be comforted, because they are no more.
//Incarnation: My take on the message for me
So many kids, children created by God for His purpose, are caught in unspeakable circumstances. Wars, revolutions, aids epidemics, abusive situations, abandonment ….
So I am thankful that in the most precious and joyous season of the year, in the most precious story ever told, we find Jesus entering the world we know … a world where kids are endangered and hurt and abandoned … a world he came to enter, to redeem, and to bring home to Him.
And now at Christmas, I want all the joy of this season to be shared with those children who don’t know and it experience it now, and so on this most joyous of days, I want to be reminded of the full story of Jesus’ birth and be convicted that I am put here to share this good news of the Savior’s coming with those who are weeping … especially those weeping for children.
//Invitation:
O Lord Jesus, I welcome your coming and pledge myself to help children far and wide to know abouit it, to receive the blessings of it, and to be ready for Your return to take them home. Amen.