A house appears on a farm, with its 100-year-old frame, to its current location in a farm field. The painted white house has a front porch and traditional architecture.
The yard around it reflects simple maintenance, yet the paint is peeling from the banisters of the porch. As you reach the front door and turn the knob, it appears weak with age, and the screen door is off its hinges.
As you walk into the house, you notice that the ceilings are 14 feet in the entryway, however, the plaster from the walls exhibits gaping cracks as if the very foundation of the house is disturbed. The living room has a gas fireplace, and so does the dining room.
As you walk into the house, you notice that the ceilings are 14 feet in the entryway, however, the plaster from the walls exhibits gaping cracks as if the very foundation of the house is disturbed. The living room has a gas fireplace, and so does the dining room.
There are more cracks in the walls, and, large pieces of missing sheetrock expose the original walls. As you peek under the boards, you see that there are beams of cedar, originally covered with muslin and then wallpaper, which have deteriorated with age.
As you wander around the perimeter outside, you notice a trap window at the base of the porch. When the door opens, it reflects a small space with a dirt floor. Another window opens up to a set of stairs leading down into the cellar.
As you wander around the perimeter outside, you notice a trap window at the base of the porch. When the door opens, it reflects a small space with a dirt floor. Another window opens up to a set of stairs leading down into the cellar.
Yet, another stairway, leading up to the house floor from the ground, reflects the mystery of the room because there is no entryway into the home. The room also has a small workspace of shelves, filled with almost 100 empty jars as if a canning project is left undone.
When you return to the front yard, a church building catches your eye. You observe that it is made of hewn rock and the grounds are simple but well kept, however, it is completely deserted. As you walk through the front gate and turn to shut it, the house reflects the sunlight and shows the character and beauty of its age.
When you return to the front yard, a church building catches your eye. You observe that it is made of hewn rock and the grounds are simple but well kept, however, it is completely deserted. As you walk through the front gate and turn to shut it, the house reflects the sunlight and shows the character and beauty of its age.
The house is rustic and yet, it is solid. It provides shelter and comfort. Further, its walls contain many years of lives lived and memories for those who lived there.
How are we like this house at Christmas time?
As we go through the Christmas season, it is easy in American culture to cover up the veneer of the holiday. We may try to cover up our pain and hang lights, set up a Christmas tree, or shop at the malls.
How are we like this house at Christmas time?
As we go through the Christmas season, it is easy in American culture to cover up the veneer of the holiday. We may try to cover up our pain and hang lights, set up a Christmas tree, or shop at the malls.
We might buy expensive presents and over-extend our financial means to create a romantic illusion that we wish was true. We may even try to reconcile with a family member who will never forgive us.
For many people, this is the reality. We may experience deep depression and sadness, but cover it up with a veneer of holiday cheer.
Sure, we hope and pray for the peace that comes with reconciliation. Or, we even yearn for the return of family members who have since passed on.
But, the shininess of Christmas pains us greatly.
The light of Jesus shines hope
The light of Jesus shines hope
However, when we come to the Christmas story, we see the light. A child, a king, is born in a cave, made into an animal stall. It is devoid of privacy but provides shelter for the arrival of Jesus and his parents.
His bed is a manger; his attendants are the cattle, sheep, and donkey. However, it provides the needed foundation for a few days.
Joseph and Mary find themselves receiving strangers who bring gifts to their son---the true Son of God. Then, the Lord gives Joseph a dream and awakens him to leave in the middle of the night to avoid the wrath of King Herod’s armies.
Joseph and Mary find themselves receiving strangers who bring gifts to their son---the true Son of God. Then, the Lord gives Joseph a dream and awakens him to leave in the middle of the night to avoid the wrath of King Herod’s armies.
There is no veneer in that story. It rings of extreme poverty and hopelessness. At least, from the circumstances.
Yet, the true seed of hope was a little baby born in a manger who was the King of All. He was and is the Messiah for all mankind.
This is true hope without any veneer.
Grab ahold of real hope
It is not the duties we carry out for Christmas, like decorating, shopping, or baking that bring us closer to Him and each other, but in barely laying ourselves before Him that allows us to shine His light.
It is not the duties we carry out for Christmas, like decorating, shopping, or baking that bring us closer to Him and each other, but in barely laying ourselves before Him that allows us to shine His light.
Even when all is dark around us and we barely limp through a joyous time for everyone else, God is and always will be the hope we can cling to.
Jesus was born and died on the cross to bring us eternal hope that gives us the Holy Spirit as our guarantee.
He is the only One we can turn to, who will not let us down. He may not be shiny like a Christmas tree, but He is the Hope of All.
“And she gave birth to her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger because there was no room for them in the inn.” Luke 2:7
“And she gave birth to her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger because there was no room for them in the inn.” Luke 2:7
In His grip~Kim
Originally published 12/12/2010
