Blessed to be Broken

Woke up to a winter wonderland this morning. So pretty. So peaceful. Since it’s still dark outside, the white of it, lights up the darkness a bit.

Its peace interrupted only by the sound of metal pushing snow around as the plow makes its way past my house at 6:00 am.

Moose loves when the plow comes by. He’s eager to get outside this morning and tell that plow truck what’s what. I no sooner get him all hooked up to go outside when that truck comes rolling by again. Moose takes off like a rocket to go as far as his lead will allow and runs alongside the menacing beast, all the while barking for all he’s worth.

I dunno if the plow guy is amused or not, but I don’t think Moose cares one way or another. He just knows that truck is too close to his land. Either way, it’s quite the sight watching mighty mouse, er, umm, I mean, Moose try to run down that truck.

Moose doesn’t typically wanna stay outside for too long in the cold, but today, he has a mission. His whole body is on high alert. He’s sitting at the edge of the yard by his favorite tree waiting for the plow truck to come back. He hears it. He knows it’s coming, and he’s ready.

Christmas is coming. Are you ready? I’m still waiting on a couple more gifts to arrive. But the most important and precious gift of all, already came thousands of years ago.

He came down from heaven, born to Mary and Joseph. Fully God, fully man, yet all baby. His mother carefully and lovingly wrapped Him up in swaddling cloths. A gift to the world. His birth announcement; a wondrous star shining in the night for all to see. He came for you. He came for me.

I get all teary eyed and emotional just thinking about it. Makes me wonder if that’s why I cry almost every single time I watch a baby being born on tv.

I don’t know what you believe about Jesus. That’s between you and Him. I know once upon a time, I thought it was a nice story. A tale that was told every year through song and televevion shows like the Little Drummer Boy. I can’t say I felt any real connection back then.

That all changed when the Jesus of all the stories collided with my reality. I’ve never been quite the same.

His birth was foretold. He fulfilled the prophecy. I love how The Message states it:

“The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light. For those who lived in a land of deep shadows— light! sunbursts of light! You repopulated the nation, you expanded its joy. Oh, they’re so glad in your presence! Festival joy! The joy of a great celebration, sharing rich gifts and warm greetings. The abuse of oppressors and cruelty of tyrants— all their whips and clubs and curses— Is gone, done away with, a deliverance as surprising and sudden as Gideon’s old victory over Midian. The boots of all those invading troops, along with their shirts soaked with innocent blood, Will be piled in a heap and burned, a fire that will burn for days! For a child has been born—for us! the gift of a son—for us! He’ll take over the running of the world. His names will be: Amazing Counselor, Strong God, Eternal Father, Prince of Wholeness. His ruling authority will grow, and there’ll be no limits to the wholeness he brings. He’ll rule from the historic David throne over that promised kingdom. He’ll put that kingdom on a firm footing and keep it going With fair dealing and right living, beginning now and lasting always. The zeal of God-of-the-Angel-Armies will do all this.” ~ Isaiah 9:6

He’s all that and more. He’s the gift that keeps on giving. He’s the gift I never knew I needed and the gift I cannot live without. Simply put, He’s the way, the truth and the life.

This Christmas, I pray amongst all the gifts the world has to offer you personally know or come to know the one gift the world can’t contain. Jesus. He has all you’ll ever need.

Merry Christmas my friends! May the love, joy, peace, and comfort of Christ permeate every nook and cranny of our hearts and our homes. ❤️🎁🎄🌟❤️