Open His Presence

Gifts are given, the days been lived in. The children have spent the day in delight, the big feed has happened, and maybe some laughs and memories have passed between family members who came to visit. A flurry of phone calls, Zoom calls, and texts have taken place and a warm glow of support and renewed connection is in the atmosphere.

Well, what's next, tomorrow? Do we continue on, in this newly asserted goodwill, or do we malinger back into the distances we have become accustom to in our relationships? For that matter, what of others out there, who have not been able to experience what has just transpired? Oh, I'm not saying any of this is wrong, even a bit, but what of the other guy? Is there room left to share the bounty we have gained in our hearts, with those less fortunate?

This can include anyone, from the one on the street to children struggling for life in war-torn, hunger-burdened or disease-ridden areas of the world.

In scripture, Jesus was sharing with his disciples, in Mathew 10:38 – 42, “And unless you are willing to take up your cross [the dying to the appetites which fulfill only your own life] and come with me, you are not fit to be my disciples. If you try to save your life [crave after pridefully and only do that which is about self-gratification], you will lose it. But if you give it up for me, you will surely find it. Anyone who welcomes you welcomes me. And anyone who welcomes me also welcomes the one who sent me. Anyone who welcomes a prophet, just because that person is a prophet, will be given the same reward as a prophet. Anyone who welcomes a good person, just because that person is good, will be given the same reward as a good person. And anyone who gives one of my most humble followers a cup of cool water, just because that person is my follower, will surely be rewarded. CEV (Contemporary English Version)

Then later, Jesus uses similar language and expands the thought in Mathew 18, verses 1b - 5. The disciples “asked him who would be the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. Jesus called a child over and had the child stand near him. Then he said: I promise you this. If you don't change and become like a child, you will never get into the kingdom of heaven. But if you are as humble as this child, you are the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. And when you welcome one of these children because of me, you welcome me." CEV (Contemporary English Version)

Simple love and the humility, the acceptance of a child, huh...

I think it's important to remember here, every person out there, on our streets or around the world, is someones child. Go figure, it's no wonder God came in this form to reach our hearts.

So I reiterate the question. Do we continue on, in our newly experienced goodwill, or do we malinger back into the distances we have become accustom to in our relationships?

If God himself would come from his heaven to enter into our existence as a baby, it's very plain to see he is seeking a heart's connection. The Christ child shows us how important the condition of another is. What a vast chasm was travailed to reach us. So, helping in a food bank, supporting a mission work, or sitting with a stranger and buying them a meal while you get to know them, is a small way to go, to share the Love God desires to be born in our hearts, through accepting Jesus there. Kinda puts it in perspective.

In our home, we start Christmas in early December with the Hungarian Christmas Celebration, and it continues on, through this Western Christmas time to the Ukrainian and other Orthodox Christmas celebrations, lasting from January 7th to the 19th.

I hope your Christmas celebrations were and are still ones of warmth and time together. In addition, I pray warmth will continue to be a catalyst for the days ahead in your interactions near and far. From all of us at The Standard Newspaper, God Bless your Hearts and Merry Christ-mas!

Happy Seasoning!