World

For me, the Christmas season has traditionally always carried with it a heightened appreciation for creativity. As children, my siblings and I were always encouraged to create and during the season of advent we would really amp up production. My brother, sister and I made many ornaments and decorations over the years and most of them are carefully packed away in my parents’ attic. Many of those decorations still adorne the house and tree, and the ones that remain packed away create space for the next generation.

My mother has taken her stewardship of these creations very seriously.  They are treasured because my mom loves the creators.  All the imperfections anyone could find in them don’t hold a candle to what makes them perfect.

If a child were to make you a Christmas card you wouldn’t open it and begin to point out all that could be improved.  You may point out things you admire.  The appreciation that you have for the gift will be due to who made it and the fact that they made it for you.

We live in a world with plenty of imperfections and no matter where you sit your perspective will reveal many things that could be better.  The world may indeed be rough but it is not lost.  The world is saved.  This is the truth of the Gospel, the “why” of Jesus.  God was born to save the world.

All the imperfections we can ever find in the world or each other don’t hold a candle to what makes it and us perfect.  We can focus our attention on what is wrong and we can choose to look at what is right.  What we can’t afford to do is let any observations distract us from loving it all.  What God made for us, what God created in us, and what God is doing right now is truly spectacular.  

“God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him won’t perish but will have eternal life. God didn’t send his Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world might be saved through him.”  ‭‭John‬ ‭3:16-17‬ ‭CEB‬‬

Jesus experienced great pain and suffering…highs and lows. He didn’t like all of it but He did love it all. This is the example set before us. Love like Jesus.