CHRISTMAS STORIES for the HEART
plus Advent/Christmas Devotions Review
I found a book on my shelf, compiled by Alice Gray, filled with Christmas stories. The first few I read almost brought me to tears, so I decided to use it as a basis for some Christmas ponderings this year. I have split my montage into two parts: the left side is a devotion reminder from the years 2017-2023 and the right side a summary of one story along with an illustration.
A MORNING REVELATION
It is a rare moment when in one morning, from three different sources, I read/hear Biblical inspiration that all blend and merge together in one message: God made us as we are and for a purpose – don’t bury or hide what God has made.
As I arose early this morning, I wanted to finish reading a novel of Christian fiction – The Christmas Kite by Gail Gaymer Martin. I picked it up from the FREE shelf at the library last week and once I started reading I couldn’t stop. The story was intriguing, but it also had a definite spiritual message interwoven throughout. Toward the end, as the two struggled to accept the past and move forward, I came across the following quote:
God has made us as perfect as He wanted us to be. Each of us has limitations, but still we are perfect because God made us, even with limitations. Our challenge is to recognize the opportunities life gives us. To accept our purpose.”
After my morning walk, I picked up my current devotion book, YOU CAN BE CREATIVE by William Coleman. In the second chapter discussing our fear of creativity, he writes of the Parable of the Talents and about burying the gifts God has given out of fear to take a risk. And then the reminder from 2 Timothy 1:7 that “God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love, and self-discipline.” Hmmm...God has made us just as God wanted us to be, so don’t be afraid to use those gifts God has given. Be bold.
And then I went to church. A rare Sunday when I didn’t have ANY other responsibility than to sit in the pew with the rest of the congregation and sing the hymns in harmony (which I can’t do when I am playing the piano!) The following words were part of the Blessing Prayer:
Blessed are those who inhabit their lives fully, who do not shrink back or hide who they are, but who shine for all the world to see….Blessed are those who know that God created them exactly as God would have them be, and calls them good.
What is God trying to tell me today? The message seems clear: Use my creativity in bold new ways. Don’t shrink from sharing the talents God has blessed upon me. Hmmm….what new project can I dream up that will “be the light that reveals the God-Colors of the world.” (My favorite verse from Eugene Peterson’s The Message and the Sermon on the Mount. I think tie-dye whenever I read it!) Time to don my ‘pumpkin shell thinking cap’ and let the juices flow!
YOU CAN BE CREATIVE:
Making
Your Dreams Come True
by William Coleman
CHAPTER 1 – What Are We Talking About?
For many people creativity fades as they grow older. They become well-hewn adults with most of their adventure chipped off. But there is hope...The channels which God has given can be opened again. (9-10)
Creativity is taking what is already existing and available and changing it in unpredictable ways. It is finding new and unique ways to solve problems. (Dilling, 10)
Performance is often judged on our ability to comply rather than to create. (11)
A closed system, one in which all the answers are already in, is the enemy of creative thought and action. (Bayly, 12)
A person with limited freedom has boundaries narrow enough to give him security yet they are wide enough to offer him liberty. There is enough rope to roam but not enough to get lost. (15)
Creative people are looking for change. Those who are happy with everything the way it is can never create. (15)
What makes a creative person? Four basic ingredients: fair amount of intelligence, thirst for adventure, sense of humor, and a feeling of restlessness (17-18)
A major role played by God in the universe is as Creator. Made in His image and personality, we are invited to play a part in Gods ongoing creativity. (18)
Just to get started...I took a Celtic Knot design and added a few quotes and key points from the first chapter.
