Opening doors to Christ<s>mas</s>

What are the gifts – the small, joyful distractions – that we’re hoping to find behind the doors of our Advent calendars? Chocolate? Perfume? Small, plastic, tenuously-linked-to-Christmas figurines…?

‘Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in…’ (Revelation 3:20)

It can be so easy to get lost in the loudness of life – particularly in the run-up to Christmas. So much to do… or not enough. So much to remember… or forget. So much to spend… or worry about spending. In the midst of it all, we find peace as we hear again the whisper of the one who sustains us – who offers to come in and sit at our table.

Remembering the reason for the season
‘Waymaker.
Miracle worker.
Promise keeper.
Light in the darkness.’

This worship song from the Christian band Leeland calls out some of the characteristics of God. The Bible gives us many more names that tell of who he is to us – reminding us who we are to him.

Protector – we are whom he wants to protect.
Comforter – we are whom he longs to comfort.
Ever-present help in trouble – we are the beloved whom he will never leave or forsake.
Healer – ours are the broken hearts he is waiting to bind up

Saviour – we are whom he chooses to save.
Placed to lie in a manger. The ultimate gift. The perfect plan of a Father who loved us so beyond our understanding that – weak and flawed as we are – he gave us his only son. Majesty set aside for the humility of humanity.

For us. To bring us close to him.

PLEASE PRAY

Heavenly Father,
Thank you for your great love for humanity. Thank you that you teach us to love by first loving us. We praise you for your goodness, your kindness, your great mercy and compassion toward us. Please help us to follow you, as we show your love to those who are in need.
Amen.

Small treats hidden behind cardboard cut-outs can make us smile for a moment… but in Christ we have something infinitely better. Sign up here to receive our daily Advent emails.