Interruptions

My otherwise lovely and enjoyable Christmas season was abruptly interrupted this past week by a dental emergency. Nothing like a toothache to get your attention. I’ve always had a fear of losing a tooth, so this was a significant interruption.

My first reaction to this interruption was fear. My normally very low blood pressure skyrocketed as I sat in the infamous chair. As I glanced outside through the blinds, I saw a robin just sitting on a tree limb. Immediately, God reminded me of his presence! I reflected on the verse in Matthew 6:26 “Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?” God used that bird to calm me down and remind me that He sees, and cares for me in that very moment. God carried me through this interruption!

The Christmas story involved a blatant interruption. The shepherds were watching over their sheep when suddenly an angel appeared. The shepherds’ lives would never be the same. Take a look at the scripture:

“And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks by night. An Angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” Luke 2:8-12

The shepherds’ first response to their interruption was fear! And who wouldn’t be afraid when they suddenly saw an angel? Interruptions interrupt what we’re doing and the shepherds had a job to do! Interruptions change the status quo. Interruptions prompt change and we humans really don’t like change.

I find it so beautiful that God chose the shepherds to be among the first to encounter Jesus. That interruption was a good interruption. Think about it…. the shepherds were not seen by most, not appreciated, and even looked down upon. Not very important. Not known about town. Yet, it was the Shepherds, that stood face to face with Jesus. It seems that God wanted to communicate that He saw those shepherds and honored them for who they were.

Do you ever feel overlooked? Unloved? Forgotten? Unappreciated? Take a look at the Christmas story and study the shepherds in more detail. Just like them, God sees you. God knows you. God loves you. God cares for You. You are important to Him, even if You don’t feel like it. Remember that in our interruptions, God is there and very present. He used an angel for the shepherds. He used a robin for me. He’ll use anything to remind You how much He loves you.

Picture what it would be like that holy night. How would you respond to what you saw and heard? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pRuunhHiEPg

Nancy Abbott is the Chaplain of the YMCA of Greater San Antonio.

Keeping Things Real

If I could name a bit of tension in our home each Christmas, it would be the type of Christmas tree we choose. Yes, we’re a divided household. Ben prefers artificial trees. I prefer real trees.

There’s a bit of personal history behind this. One of the traditions in my house growing up was that my dad would go and get a potted Christmas tree each year. After Christmas, he would quickly take it down, and off it would go to be planted behind our house. To this day, there is a row of evergreen trees of all sizes behind that home.

So far, in our house, Ben has given in to a real tree each year! (#realchristmastree) Of course, he does the lion’s share of the hard work in getting it set up, which I’m grateful for! But really, who doesn’t love the yummy smell and look of a real Christmas tree? Have you ever smelled a fake tree?

It occurred to me that there’s nothing wrong with either choice, real or artificial. It’s a matter of preference. But when we get down to the Christmas season, I would prefer keeping things real.

This really did happen:

“But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary: you have found favor with God. You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus.” Luke 1:30-31

“For today in the city of David, there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.” Luke 2:11

“The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel” (which means “God with us”) Matthew 1:23

Do you believe that this really did happen? If so, how will it affect your Christmas celebration? Your joy? Your peace? Your love?  Christ’s coming to this earth changes everything. This really did happen, and it changes everything!

Here’s the deal: The magical nature of our own version of a Hallmark Christmas can take a more prominent role than what took place in the city of David. Our version of Christmas pales in comparison to what took place in a stable so long ago! 

Yet, the reality of life hits us every Christmas and affects us deeply. Are you grieving the loss of a spouse or close family member? Are you wishing you could be somewhere, but you can’t? Do you want things to be different in your life? Do you struggle financially to give gifts? Is there a deep “lack” in your life that comes back to haunt you every Christmas? There is obviously much pain at Christmas.

The gift of Christ, Immanuel, is our greatest treasure, not just at Christmas but throughout the entire year. Whether it be a time of celebration or honest brokenness, Jesus is still with us. Jesus still loves us. Jesus still cares. Press in close to Him today. Keep Christmas real with Jesus at your side.

I can't listen to this song without crying! Christ's birth changes everything! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cG6fQmh9F_Q

Nancy Abbott is the Chaplain of the YMCA of Greater San Antonio. 

Thinking About Christmas

Christmas is just twenty days away. What does that cause in your spirit? Are you jumping for joy? Are you thinking about all the things you must do in those twenty days? Are you worried about the family gathering and how things will go? It seems that every year about this time, we can get a bit anxious about the coming holiday.

The thing with Christmas is this. It’s not really about all that we have going in our lives when it comes to Christmas. It’s about what we actually think about Jesus. Consider this verse:

“To us, a child is born, to us, a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace, there will be no end.” Isaiah 9:6-7

I find myself getting so side-tracked at Christmas time. I’m already writing down the dates of parties, organizing the food, and thinking about even writing a Christmas letter this year. This verse stops me in my tracks. There’s absolutely nothing more important than Jesus and his birth and how we personally respond to His greatness and glory. It’s something very personal that each of us should consider.  

Yet, I stop in my tracks when I read this prophecy in Isaiah 9:6,7.  TO US. This child was born for us! This child would be a man, but more than a man. He would also be the Son of God. We, humans, needed a perfect, infinite Being to offer a perfect infinite atonement for our sins. (Enduring Word)

How does Christ carry the government on his shoulders? The government of the entire world already rests on his shoulders and will into the Millennium. His government shows itself in daily life through God’s people. Caring for orphans. Serving the poor. Bringing peace, hope, and encouragement to those around us. Practicing thinking of others as more important than ourselves. Listening to people and valuing others. Finding someone to serve in some way and do it for a while.

Also, wrapped in this verse, we see various names of Jesus:

Wonderful - Jesus is wonderful and what He has done for us should fill us with wonder. You can never really look at Jesus, really know Him, and be bored. (Enduring Word) Who is more wonderful than Jesus?

Counselor-Every day, I start the day asking God to guide me and counsel me for the things of that day. Jesus can help us with all our problems. He may help us through the Bible, through His presence, or another person, but He is our Counselor. He has extraordinary wisdom! He advises, consults, plans, and guides us.  We can go to Him about anything! How do you need Him to be your counselor today?

Mighty God- He is God Almighty, creator, and sustainer of the whole universe. God in the flesh. God with us! He can do anything!

Everlasting Father- The Hebrew word translated as “everlasting” has the idea of “without end” just as we read at the close of the verse “Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end.” (Isaiah 9:7) Imagine all the things in this life that come to an end. Then picture our Everlasting Father. Always and forever.

Prince of Peace- He will be characterized by peace. Because of Christ’s work, we can have peace with God, peace with men, and peace in this world. He can give us inner peace when our hearts are in turmoil. He is in control. Always, even when we’re not.

Pour a cup of coffee and tea. Grab a warm blanket. Turn on your Christmas lights. Sit with this beautiful verse. Marinate on Christ’s names. Let your Christmas be about Him.

Unto Us A Child is born....Oh, how we need Him! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5XWY_OmEG1Q

Nancy Abbott is the Chaplain of the YMCA of Greater San Antonio.