A Christmas Gift for All

Last night, I was blessed to attend a moving Christmas Eve service with our church family. I sat with our boys, my husband officiated, and our young daughter joined the sopranos in the adult choir. Surrounded by music, she had front row seats to the strings and wind sections and loved every minute of it. Songs like The First Noel and O Come, O Come, Emmanuel filled my heart with the joy of Christmas in a special way, knowing one of those voices came from our sweet daughter. 

Of all the heartwarming songs, the most special for me this year was Silent Night. As the clergy knelt at the altar, their backs to the congregation, we were drawn to join them to worship the newborn king. I felt like one of the shepherds beholding the child at the manger. Time seemed to stand still as these scriptures reminded me of the hope of God's promise,

For 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. (Isaiah 9:6)

The wolf will live with the lamb, the leopard will lie down with the goat, the calf and the lion and the yearling together; and a little child will lead them. (Isaiah 11:6)

My child, along with everyone at the altar, led us to worship the child who leads us to a life of grace, of mercy, of forgiveness. He ushered an eternal kingdom in a temporal, broken world; a kingdom of justice and grace in a world in desperate need. In his kingdom of peace, love and faithfulness meet together; righteousness and peace kiss each other (Psalm 85:10).

When I lie down to sleep tonight, memories of this Christmas day will fill my mind. I will recall our festive hats, gifts exchanged with the best neighbors, our family walks, hugs, and laughter, the clever homemade Jeopardy game I lost gladly to well-educated children, meaningful texts full of grace and cheer, phone calls, invitations, cookies, and conversations with loved ones not seen nearly enough. I will also recall specific gifts, like the perfect laptop case and the various homemade gifts that will bring lasting joy.

And after all quiets down, my heart will swell as I give thanks once more for the greatest gift of all, the gift that makes all good things possible. James 1:17 reminds us that every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. As I lie down to sleep, I will give thanks for the One who came wrapped in swaddling cloths to enter an imperfect world and fill it with light, mercy, and grace.

This week we were blessed to see—for just a few seconds—a full moon over our Christmas tree. Having visited Assisi, the home of St. Francis, this summer, my first reaction was to welcome Sister Moon, as he called her. Then I thought of John 9:5, where Jesus proclaimed, 

While I am in the world, I am the light of the world.

Sister Moon over our tree. (© 2018)

I'm so glad I took a photo right away, for about two minutes later, we couldn't see the moon anymore. 

The good news of Christmas is that the light of Christ does not dim or depart the heart that welcomes it. The good news is that he's here to stay, meeting us right where we are, and replacing our chaos with order, our fears with hope, and what is dead with life. And the great news is that he came for all, just as we are. 

This Christmas, perhaps more than ever, I am so grateful for the gift of life, health, friendship, and love. I am grateful for the gift of faith, family, and love. And I am grateful for the gift of time to embrace and know the One who made himself small and vulnerable—for you and for me.

I wish you a blessed and meaningful Christmas season full of all the goodness that comes down from the Father of lights.

Joyfully,

Dr Mari

Thanksgiving Musings: Love Wins

I'm so glad that, as I get older, I'm becoming an early riser. One of my favorite things to do on the beach (if I'm up early enough!) is to watch the sun rise over the horizon to the tune of crashing waves. I love to take in the miniscule, microsecond changes one misses by not paying close attention. A bird formation appearing out of nowhere and changing the landscape, ever so briefly. A gentle breeze beckoning the palm trees to join in a subtle dance. A dolphin's fin cutting through a wave for two seconds, noticed only by those who choose to sit and ponder the beauty, magnificence, and power displayed every second throughout creation. Nature rewards in a special way those who devote time to admire it.

I stand in awe as I watch the sun rise over the ocean. Light takes over the darkness slowly, imperceptibly and, yet, with such power. The darkness flees in the mere presence of light. All the light has to do is be.... 

Watching this conquest, this daring display, I grasp something about God's goodness triumphing--always--over evil. This victory may seem slow to manifest at times, but it is happening nonetheless. 

The light takes over the darkness. 

God triumphs. 

Love wins.

Have a blessed Thanksgiving!
Dr Mari

The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. 

John‬ ‭1‬:‭5‬

Love never fails. 
1 Corinthians 13:8

On the Edge of What's Next

I need to be honest with you. I have to come clean. Sometimes my posts are ... for me. I'm thrilled you're eavesdropping, of course, and please stay and invite your friends. I love to share with you, always. But writers will write even if no one will read their musings. And sometimes I post what I need to read and see and hear.

This is one of those times. Yes, I admit it, without shame. There!

It's just that, every so often, you're gripped with this sense of rightness. Of being exactly where God wants you. Of standing at the very edge of where He's taking you. And that place, that point in time, will very often take your breath away.

And I'm there. I'm right there. On the very edge of my tomorrow.

It's exhilarating to know you've been faithful, obedient, and patient. And years after His very words were spoken over you, you've taken that next step. And the next one.

Which brings you to that last step before what's next.

I'm so grateful to be there. To recognize it. And to continue to walk with the One who took me by the hand years ago and invited me into His blessed life.

His name is Jesus. He is my Savior. My Lord. My all. To Him I said yes long ago. And last month. And yesterday. And this very moment.

And for Him I long to shine. To reflect His light unto the piercing darkness.

So here's the song I need to hear. To remember. For I know not what tomorrow will bring.

And I want my answer, tomorrow, to still be yes.

Yes, Lord! I want to shine for You!

Thank you for eavesdropping. And for helping me continue to say yes, even as I help you do the same.

Shine!
Dr Mari

They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord for the display of His splendor.

Isaiah 61:3

For a bit more sharing with flare, check out My Mission Statement: To Shine. 

 * Photo courtesy of Manuel Díaz Photography. Used with permission. All Rights Reserved.

My Mission Statement: To Shine!

Below is my mission statement; 

I borrowed it from Salvador's song, Shine. 

I will continue to pursue it daily with everything I have.

When I remember my calling and when I don't.
When it matters and when it, seemingly, doesn't.
When doing so brings accolades while attracting critics and judges.
When I feel like it, and when I don't.

I want to shine.

"Lord, let me shine

Shine like the moon

A reflection of You

All that I do

Lord, let me be

A light for Your truth

Light of the world

I want to be used

To shine for You."

I want to shine ... for Him!

All light is borrowed.
He shines through us.

We shine for Him.

Shine!

Dr Mari

* Photo by Manuel Díaz Photography. All Rights Reserved. Used with permission. 

For a link to Salvador's song, Shine, read On the Edge of What's Next.

Truth for Today: The Light of the World

"There came a man who was sent from God; his name was John. 

He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, 

so that through him all men might believe. 

He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light. 

The true light that gives light to every man 

was coming into the world." 

 (John 1:6-9, emphasis added)

^{How curious that John described Jesus as light. His birth was announced by a bright star, and the book of Revelation, the very end of the Biblical account, refers to Jesus as the bright Morning Star.}

<sup>Without light, we walk in darkness, we stumble and fall. Yet, the psalmist proclaims, "Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path." (Psalm 119:105)

Jesus, the Word made flesh, the Logos, is also the light of the world.

What lights the way on your path?

In Him, 
Dr Mari

For the first article in this series, visit Truth for Today: Introducing a New Segment.</sup> 

Truth for Today: Introducing a New Segment

"In the beginning was the Word, 

and the Word was with God, 

and the Word was God. 

He was with God in the beginning. 

Through Him all things were made; 

without Him nothing was made that has been made. 

In Him was life, and that life was the light of men. 

The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it." 

(John 1:1-5) 

Jesus: The Light of the World.

John the evangelist opened the Gospel he was inspired to write with these five verses. Referring to Jesus as the Logos, the Word made flesh, John reminds us that Jesus - the Son of God - the second Person of the Trinity, was present since the beginning of the world. "Without Him, nothing was made that has been made." Nothing. He further calls Jesus (or, more accurately, the life in Jesus) the light of men.

John refers to "the Word" as "He," the same One whose "Be still!" calmed the seas and the winds, and whose word brought the dead back to life. The Word is God's Christ;
His name is Jesus.

Over the coming weeks, I will post segments from this Gospel with short reflections to help keep us focused throughout the day. I will keep them short so that we can spend more time re-reading and meditating on God's Word.
May this Truth for Today bless you.

In Him,
Dr Mari

African Children's Choir

While reflecting on the fact that Jesus came for all of us on Christmas day - for every person from every nation - I came upon this video of a Children's Choir from Uganda. These orphaned children first sing Light of the World in their native language and then in English. Here's the chorus of this beautiful song of praise:

Here I am to worship, here I am to bow down, 

Here I am to say that You're my God.

You're altogether lovely, altogether worthy, 

altogether wonderful to me. 

In the New Year, let us worship the One who is worthy of praise!
Dr Mari

"When Jesus spoke again to the people, He said, 'I am the light of the world. 

Whoever follows Me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.'” (John 8:12)

The Light of the World: Advent Reflections

The light of life has dawned.

One of my favorite traditions during the Advent season involves making a wreath that becomes our table's centerpiece until Christmas day. A new candle is lit each week symbolizing the light that shines when Christ enters our world. As we say grace before dinner each night, we take turns lighting the candles and reading different verses that remind us of the relevance of Christ's coming. This tradition is a powerful reminder of the eternal significance of the season and helps to quiet the voices that distract us from the true meaning of Christmas.

The prophet Isaiah spoke of this coming light hundreds of years before Jesus' birth,  

          "The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; 

on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned." 

                                                                                              - Isaiah 9:2

The Old Testament words from Isaiah 9:2 were quoted hundreds of years later by Matthew in the New Testament when he spoke about Jesus' life and ministry (Matthew 4:16). And in John 8:12, Jesus fills us with hope by telling us who He is,

“I am the light of the world. 

Whoever follows Me will never walk in darkness, 

but will have the light of life.” 

During Advent, we celebrate this light that shines into the darkness of our world and of our hearts bringing truth, salvation, and life. This time of year provides a wonderful opportunity to get to know the One who calls Himself "the light of the world." This Advent, may we all see Him more clearly and live more fully as we prepare to celebrate the glorious birth of Jesus Christ, the light of the world.

Rejoice!
Dr Mari

Read God's Song for an account of God's blessings in the midst of suffering.