Getting Christmas

After hearing yesterday's sermon I got in the mood to re-visit a book I have read through a few times, Reflecting God. I ran across something I wish I would have blogged in December!

In these days of confused and frantic longing for God, gods, some god, any god, despair rises like a dark tide. The efforts of the human race to exist in autonomy have failed.

How do we pack the frantic search for spiritual truth into the New York Times time capsule? Whatever we choose to represent these times of empty hearts and failed gods, we must include something that represents another group of people: those who have anchored their hopes in the God of the Bible. Those who have turned to Jesus Christ for new life, hope, and salvation.

There are those among us who do not dwell in the land C. S Lewis described as "always December but never Christmas." They have found the deeper spiritual life "in Christ."

Not enticed by get-rich gimmicks, these souls are content with bread and bed and roof and family circle.

Not tempted by impromptu messiahs, they walk with the confident pace of those who know a wise and gentle Shepherd who leads them to still waters and green pastures.

Not tortured by fears of tomorrow, they face the future like the sea at rest.

Not despairing because of past shame, they rejoice in the grace of sins freely forgiven.

Not devoured by lust, they keep the sensual subordinate to sanctity.

Not disillusioned by pain they embrace the assurance that God will surely use their suffering redemptively.

Not devastated by rootlessness, they build on a sure foundation.

Not destroyed by selfishness, they pour out their lives for Christ and others.

These optimistic pilgrims have discovered that holiness and happiness are twins. With Thomas Kelly they have found the joys of the holy life ravishing and its peace profound. Their secret is described in the Bible. They are the ones who, "with unveiled faces, see...the glory of the Lord as though reflected in a mirror, (and) are being transformed into the same image form one degree of glory to another"(2 Cor. 3:18)