In today’s reading from Nancy Leigh DeMoss’ The Quiet Place I’m reminded of the true meaning of this Christmas season. It’s not about “nice holiday cookies and get-togethers. But a divine visitation, necessary to deliver us from our spiritual captivity and meet our desperate need.“
Our desperate need has been tragically highlighted this season by the terrible shooting in Newtown, Ct. We are in desperate need for restraint and protection from violence. We are in desperate need for comfort. We’re in desperate need for healing. We’re in desperate need for reconciliation We’re in desperate need for peace. We’re in desperate need for all of our brokenness towards each other and God to be healed by nail-scarred hands.
Such healing can only come from a personal divine visitation.
Such a visitation has already come to the world, if we’d but accept it. If we’d allow Him to enter into our lives and change us from the inside out.
“And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and 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 among those with whom he is pleased!” -Luke 2:9-14
There is little I can do personally, in light of this tragedy, to ease any of the suffering. But there is one thing I can do: “While Jesus is representing me in heaven, may I reflect him on earth,” (The Valley of Vision, pg. 18).
Jesus, help me show your love and compassion everyday to all I meet, to every person in my life. Help me reflect you.
Beautifully written, Danielle!My prayer is the same.
Love you,
Aunt Joyce
Thank you for this today… it helps. I love that line of Jesus representing us in heaven and us reflecting him here…
“Such healing can only come from a personal divine visitation”Love this line…strikes a cord as my sister arrives tomorrow from CA… in desperate need of a personal diving visitation. Join me in prayer for that to happen while she is here!
Come LORD Jesus!
Aww, De, I’m glad I took time to read this today and your comment. I will pray, too.Danielle, so well said. And, this has been my prayer, too, since the tragedy in Newton.
One thought that gripped me as I spoke with LA about the tragedy later in the day is that I have the same, black heart of the shooter apart from Christ. Apart from His grace, I am capable of such wickedness. It gripped me. I am desperate for Him. I am amazed that He has visited my heart and continues to visit me. over and over again. His grace is astounding….amazing! May I, like you, be a reflection of that amazing grace and love, no matter how dim.