Merry Christmas

As I type these words it is now Christmas in Canton, GA where I am visiting my family for the holiday. Christina and I drove down Monday and have been enjoying our time so far. We've had some good meals, seen some good football, and played a good game or two. I was even able to get "the kids" to go see The Tale of Desperaux, an incredible little movie that I highly recommend to everyone who reads this!

As we prepared to celebrate Christmas, we were led to meditate on the opening words of the Gospel of John by the pastor at a church near my parents' home. He focused specifically on Jesus "coming to his own" who did not receive him. Jesus in the incarnation willingly stepped into hostile territory and endured the rejection of the people who should have embraced him. However, to as many as did receive him, he gave the power to become children of God.

The meditation begs the question, of course... Would I have been one of those who received him (Simeon? Nicodemus?) or one of those who did not receive him (Judas? The rich young ruler?)? Am I living a life now that shows the former disposition? I'd like to think so, but it's worth remembering John 2... when Jesus enters a place, he's not above turning over a few tables and driving out things that profane the holiness of God.

Which leads to a closing tangent... I'm reading and loving a book by R.C. Sproul called The Holiness of God that arrived just before I left Louisville. It was an unexpected treat, and I'm praying that it continues to impress on me the holiness of God and just what it means to live a life knowing and honoring Him.

Summary thought: Thankful for the incarnation and for the good gift of family.