I
can hardly believe I haven't posted since the day before Thanksgiving. I have tried to visit some of your blogs, but
hopefully this week I will be able to get to posting as well as commenting on
your posts. If you find mistakes as you read, I am using voice activated
software. While I try to catch mistakes before I post that doesn't always
happen. Yesterday I had one of those
once-in-a-lifetime opportunities. My mom, aunt, grandmother and I had the
amazing privilege of seeing The Radio City Christmas Spectacular with the
Rockettes. To be honest, I had no expectation. We left early yesterday morning
for Nashville. While we did have some complications with the wheelchair lift on
our van, God intervened by using a young guy who worked at the hotel to help us
find the emergency override switch, so that we would not miss this great event.
He was a direct answer to all of our prayers. Though I don't know him by name I
will forever be grateful for his willingness to go the extra mile. Now on to what I just can't wait to tell you
about the show itself. Make no mistake
whatever you read about here, will be a pitiful attempt to describe something
wondrous! I didn't realize all that was
involved with the show. I have seen the Rockettes on TV during the snapshot of
the Macy's Day Parade, but never in my most vivid imagination could I have
imagined something so amazing! The
lights, prompts, music and cast were all breathtaking. The glitz and glamour of the entire
experience filled the air! The precision
and timing of the scenes were indescribable.
Even as I tell you the details in general, I know that it is one of
those experiences words will fail to actually paint a tiny glimpse of the
actual reality. You see it was so much
more than women in glamorous outfits working in unison to provide a feast for
the eyes. It was an illustration of the
Majesty of the living God. Let me explain further, this was a gift that I would
not of missed or the world. There was a
glorious live Nativity scene, and as the narrator told the
story of the Christ Child, I was mesmerized.
I was awed by the visual, but more than that I was reminded that it
isn't just a story that has touched humanity forever, though that is true for
some. My heart and spirit were recaptured, not by a story that provides a warm
sensation like that of a Hallmark card, or simply a symbolic meaning, that offers a moral
lesson I experienced deeply personal
worship hrough seeing this live Nativity Scene
for me, God coming in flesh as Jesus Christ, changed my entire destiny.
It is more than the baby in the Manger. Many people around the world including
prominent celebrities are comfortable with the idea of a baby bringing joy to
the world. They're even content to have others make the baby in the manger the
object of worship. The only problem is
that baby isn't just a baby. He is and always has been the King of Kings and
Lord of Lords! There is no one who
compares with the Savior. He is deeply personal! I don't mean this as a put down to
celebrities in general, but I'm always fascinated by the fact that Hollywood is
quick to give admiration by singing Christ centered Christmas carols however
once the story progresses past that of the baby in the manger then suddenly the
rest of the story is left out or not acknowledged at all. Oh how the world is
missing out, failing to see the rest of the story. It is the story that makes
many of our lives worth living. The story that isn't just a story, but is as
real as the stars in the sky! I told you that this story, change my life and
continues to change it today. This is because, there really is no beginning to
it, and there is no end. Unless of course, you start at the beginning of the
creation account, and proceed from there. God Chose a particular time in
history to become man. He chose to limit himself, to allow himself to feel
hunger, sadness, anger and joy. Matthew
chapter 1 tells us that Jesus is literally God with us. It means that the living God sees me, and is
willing to go with me in good times and in bad. It means that when life doesn't
make sense, there is still hope for me and you, because the amazing thing about
Christmas is that it doesn't end in a manger.
In fact, it doesn't end at all. The Bible says that God's kingdom and
Christ his son will reign forever! As
beautiful, as the Radio City spectacular was, and believe me it was beautiful –
it could never compare to the birth of Jesus Christ, and the lives that
continue to be changed not only by God becoming flesh, but the continuation of
the rest of the story. An earthly ministry followed by the most gruesome death
in history, and a miraculous resurrection from the dead that would allow
ordinary people to have a relationship,
with The Extraordinary, Almighty God! So
I ask you, is Christmas a big deal to you or has it lost its joy? Will you join me in reclaiming the real
Christmas joy?
