I had a very peaceful day today because I was the in-law everyone wishes for! What does that even mean? I had my celebration with my own children last night (regardless of the fact that today was also my birthday) so that my son and his wife wouldn’t have to rush from house to house having two separate dinners, same for my granddaughter and her husband. That left today a day to pick up all the shredded paper from last night and clean the kitchen and drink multiple cups of coffee for no reason at all except that I could. I perused some of my Christmas articles to just live in the past for a few minutes and saw this, it reminded me of family get-togethers and a very young grandson in 2009…
When the family gathered around the pistachio cake, that my sister made for me, she said “OK, let’s all sing Happy Birthday to Harolene“, Gabriel piped up with “And Jesus!”So as I had the traditional Happy Birthday song sung to me except when we got to the part where you say the name, everyone said my name, except him, he loudly proclaimed, “dear Jesus, Happy Birthday to you!
That was one of the happiest moments of the whole day.
With all the lights and gifts and people gathering, food everywhere, dogs underfoot, children playing Guitar Hero in the background, to finally settle down with “Happy Birthday Jesus”was the way to bring it all back into prospective.
Luke 2:11-14 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.
Jesus is no longer in a manger, He is our all knowing, all feeling, all compassionate High Priest.
Hebrews 2:16-18 It’s obvious, of course, that he didn’t go to all this trouble for angels. It was for people like us, children of Abraham. That’s why he had to enter into every detail of human life. Then, when he came before God as high priest to get rid of the people’s sins, he would have already experienced it all himself—all the pain, all the testing—and would be able to help where help was needed.
In the midst of all the celebrations today, I know people who have sickness and heartache, people who need this same Jesus to be up close and personal to them, right now. I want to be the vehicle that brings light, the shoulder that gets under the burden and helps lift it, the prayer partner that agrees for a need and then has the pleasure of seeing it answered! In other words, I want to be like Jesus. The words to an old song, “An Evening Prayer” by C.M. Battersby, come to mind here, say them with me and let us be thankful to Jesus for leaving His throne so that He could redeem us, while asking Him to help US be a better person!
If I have wounded any soul today if I have caused one foot to go astray If I have walked in my own willful way dear Lord forgive.
If I have uttered idol word or vain if I have turned aside from want or pain, Yes I myself shall suffer through the strain dear Lord forgive. Forgive the sins I have confessed to Thee, forgive the secret sins I do not see, Oh guide me and love me and my keeper be dear Lord forgive.
I pray that this was a wonderful day for you, now it’s time to turn our attention to the coming New Year 20/20!
Harolene.com 