Day 3: Greater vision
And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before Him He endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God (Hebrews 12:1-2).
Heavenly Father, as we celebrate this blessed Christmas season, our hymns of praise, Joy to the World, and O Tidings of Comfort and Joy remind us of the angels' message of great joy for all people (Luke 2:10).
We understand well, and we embrace wholeheartedly the joy in celebration, in festivity, in laughter, in cheer—and yet the paradox of Christmas is that our Lord came to show us the joy in humility, in obedience, in sacrifice:
Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to His own advantage; rather, He made Himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to death—even death on a cross! (Philippians 2:6-8).
Our Father, in this festive season even as we enjoy the lights, the tinsel, the decorations, and the celebrations, remind us of the greater vision. The Lord Jesus, for the joy set before Him endured the cross, scorning its shame... (Hebrews 12:2). Give us the vision and the focus to follow His example at Christmas and always.
And when the lights go out, and the decorations come down, may we shine as lights in this dark world as we run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of our faith (Hebrews 12:2).
Joy to the world, the Lord is come!
Let earth receive her King;
Let every heart prepare Him room,
And heav’n and nature sing,
And heav’n and nature sing,
And heav’n, and heav’n, and nature sing.
Joy to the earth, the Savior reigns!
Let men their songs employ;
While fields and floods, rocks, hills, and plains
Repeat the sounding joy,
Repeat the sounding joy,
Repeat, repeat, the sounding joy.
No more let sins and sorrows grow,
Nor thorns infest the ground;
He comes to make His blessings flow
Far as the curse is found,
Far as the curse is found,
Far as, far as, the curse is found.
He rules the world with truth and grace,
And makes the nations prove
The glories of His righteousness,
And wonders of His love,
And wonders of His love,
And wonders, wonders, of His love.
~ Isaac Watts ~ Published 1719
Comments