Pink Lemonade

Friday, December 25, 2009

♦ 12/25/2009 01:00:00 AM 2 comments

We were watching The Nativity Story last night, and one of the wisemen quoted this passage. Even though it is not from the standard works, I think it is still good.

And after this there shall arise for you a star from Jacob in peace. And a man shall arise from my posterity like the sun of righteousness, walking with the sons of men in gentleness and righteousness, and in him will be found no sin. And the heavens will be opened upon him to pour out the spirit as a blessing of the holy Father. And he will pour out the spirit of grace on you. This is the shoot of God most high; this is the fountain of life of all humanity. Then he will illumine the scepter of my kingdom, and from your root will arise the shoot, and through it will arise the rod of righteousness for the nations, to judge and to save all that call on the Lord. (from the Testament of Judah 24.1-6)

Last Sunday in Sacrament meeting, I was privileged enough to give one of only two talks. I opened with the following excerpt from Max Lucado's Book One Incredible Moment:

"There is one word that describes the night He came- ordinary.
"The sky was ordinary. An occasional gust stirred the leaves and chilled the air. The stars were diamonds sparkling on black velvet. Fleets of clouds floated in front of the moon.
"It was a beautiful night -a night worth peeking out your bedroom window to admire- but not really an unusual one. No reason to expect a surprise. Nothing to keep a person awake. An ordinary night with an ordinary sky."

And here is what I got to thinking (but didn't end up sharing with anyone except for my mother). Despite the Night Wonder of the world (I mean, hello, a new star?), why did no one take notice, except for the Wise Men? People had already been told what the signs would be of the Savior's coming, yet they didn't notice this? And then I thought, will we notice when He comes again? Or will we be too accustomed to the wonders in the sky and all the other signs that have been given throughout the years? Likely it will seem to be just another "ordinary" day. "Ordinary" night.

"An ordinary night with ordinary sheep and ordinary shepherds. And were it not for a God who loves to hook an 'extra' on the front of the ordinary, the night would have gone unnoticed. The sheep would have been forgotten, and the shepherds would have slept the night away.
"But God dances amidst the common. And that night he did a waltz." (One Incredible Moment)

I leave with you one more thought, this one from Benjamin Franklin:

"How many observe Christ's birthday! How few, his precepts. O 'tis easier to keep holidays than commandments."

Labels: Christmas, Religion, Svithe

Twitter