Tag: Jacqui Stoner

LIGHT OF THE WORLD

That is the difference between waiting (which everyone does at one point or another) and patiently waiting with excitement.

We stood outside on the platform in the sweltering heat. As we glanced down the tracks, we saw no train bound for Philadelphia. 30, 45, 60 minutes – well past the scheduled arrival time. I saw not only the frustration on faces of the ticket holders, but heard the verbal complaints ratcheting up, the longer the delay. We had no choice but to wait.

WAITING WITH EXCITEMENT

That is the difference between waiting (which everyone does at one point or another) and patiently waiting with excitement. Believers may choose how they wait. We can choose to stay steady and strong even in the face of extreme adversity. The Bible tells us the end game: Jesus is coming, and He has won. Soon will be the arrival of the Light of the Word, with fire in His eyes. He voluntarily paid the price, the ransom, by laying down His own life for us, even when we were far, far away from Him.

CAN YOU HEAR HIM COMING?

Can you hear the thunder in the distance, the roar of the angels? Through the clouds He will lead us, straight into glory. Finally, all the evil and craziness of this world will be terminated because there He shall reign, forevermore, oh, forevermore.

THE POWER TO WAIT

We can endure. Believers are offered the power to wait, by the grace of God. He offers us patience so that not one minute is wasted that God gives us on this earth, regardless of the adversity we face. As I’m writing this, the train has not come yet, but it is very close and I can see it in the distance. He will soon be coming. Amen and amen!

Light of the world, soon will be coming
With fire in His eyes, He will ransom His own
Through clouds He will lead us, straight into glory
And there He shall reign, forevermore, oh, forevermore

MY SURRENDER

I realized that I am not responsible to make everyone’s Christmas wonderful; that is what Jesus already did. 

When our kids were little, “Give it back!” frequently echoed in our home.  A favorite toy or stuffed animal had usually been snatched up by a sibling, causing turmoil.  Last Christmas, I realized sometimes I need to “give it back!” too, but with something much more important than toys.

CHRISTMAS CAN FEEL SO STRESSFUL!

Christmas can feel SO stressful!  To-do lists are full of shopping, menu planning, wrapping, decorating, baking, cards, visiting…it is overwhelming.  Why?  What is the purpose of this worldwide holiday?  Am I trying to please man or God? What am I making room for?

MY REALIZATION

In pondering this, I realized that I am not responsible to make everyone’s Christmas wonderful; that is what Jesus already did.  I am here to walk alongside people and be with whom I care about. We recognize and celebrate who Jesus is – Emmanuel, God with us. Trying to make Christmas great for everyone around me with my feeble human abilities is laughable, prideful. I need to humble myself, yield to God, and celebrate Christmas differently than the world does. I must give Christmas back to Jesus and make room for Him. 

HOW DOES GOD WANT ME TO PREPARE?

Lord, how do You want me to spend the time, money and energy You entrust me with?  How do You want me to prepare to celebrate Your birth and tell the world Who You are? You tell me: “And do not be conformed to this world [any longer with its superficial values and customs], but be transformed and progressively changed [as you mature spiritually] by the renewing of your mind [focusing on godly values and ethical attitudes], so that you may prove [for yourselves] what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect [in His plan and purpose for you] “ (Romans 12:2). How do I live Your way?

Prayer: Father, I lay down my self-sufficient, “personally-responsible-for everyone’s-Christmas” way of doing things. Please show me what is important and what to let go of. Help me enjoy, soak up Your presence, and abide in You as I prepare to celebrate Your first coming to be with us.  Help our family to see You more and love You more above ALL else as we prepare for Christmas.  I’m giving Christmas back to You. Transform the way I prepare and celebrate. Help me to make room for you. Amen.

Here is where I lay it down, every burden every crown. This is my surrender! This is my surrender! Here is where I lay it down, every lie and every doubt. This is my surrender! And I’ll make room for you, to do whatever you want to, do whatever you want to. Shake up the ground of all my tradition. Breakdown the walls of all my religion. Your way is better! Your way is better! Here is where I lay it down, You are all I’m chasing now. This is my surrender!

WAITING IS HARD

Anger and frustration filled the air.  Time seemed to stand still.

Lots of people waited that night in the ER, hour after hour, after hour, after hour.  As I endured my own wait, I saw a multitude of patients called back only to return a short time later to again take their place and wait some more.  Anger and frustration filled the air.  Time seemed to stand still.

Facial expressions lit up hearing our names called back to the treatment rooms. Such intense relief! Finally, the waiting was over.

The world waits for a miracle.  The heart longs for a little bit of hope.  Waiting is hard. For thousands of years the world waited for an end to its spiritual drought, its spiritual sickness from sin.  A great many years passed from the fall of Adam & Eve in the Garden of Eden until the miraculous birth of Jesus Christ, the Savior. 

Christ, the Final Cure. The birth that makes possible for mankind to be made right with God. Can you hear the Cure’s first cry? The baby’s sobs in the manger are a symphony of love.  This child grew up vilified, misunderstood and hated.  The cross was His destination. However, God sent at exactly the right time His Son, even though God knew the price to be paid for our sin. Christ still chose to come.  

We no longer have to remain stuck in a spiritual waiting room. No more waiting for forgiveness.  Our Gracious Heavenly Father answered our prayers for a Savior. He invites forward the patients languishing in a spiritual waiting room.

The world no longer has to wait for a miracle.  Our hearts don’t need to long for a tiny scrap of hope. The solution for eternity has come in the person of Jesus Christ. The Great Physician beckons you. The wait is done.

The world waits for a miracle. The heart longs for a little bit of hope
The drought breaks with the tears of a mother; a baby’s cry is the sound of love
He is the song for the suffering. He is Messiah, the Prince of Peace has come
For all who wait; for all who hunger
For all who’ve prayed; for all who wonder

NO ROOM

December 1990 was far from perfect. That Christmas had no room in my heart.

Stores full of holiday shoppers. Christmas trees with brilliant lights and ornaments galore.  The air is full of Christmas carols, Children scurry to sit on Santa’s lap. The picture of a perfect Christmas. However, December 1990 was far from perfect.  My heart was heavy with grief, trying to go through the motions, but missing my husband who died just weeks before.  That Christmas had no room in the inn of my heart.

Picture over 2000 years ago, in the town of Bethlehem many gather to be registered for the Census. The marketplace bustles with travelers, scurrying to buy food and supplies, exhausted by their long journey.  People hurry to get the last rooms available or find shelter with friends.  Amidst the uproar of the city, along come the unusual couple: Mary and Joseph from Nazareth.  Mary is ready to give birth and needs a place to rest.  As Joseph tries to obtain a room in the nearby inn, he discovers numerous no vacancy signs. Then the couple come across the innkeeper who notices Mary’s condition. He offers them a room in the barn.  Mary’s time has come. Ready to give birth, the couple settles down in a cattle stall.

There are so many in this chaotic world who scurry around the Christmas season with different emotions regarding the manger scene.  The “inn’ of our hearts seems full.  Full of pain, disappointment, sadness, loneliness, just to list a few.  We go through the motions, not taking time to unload our hurts at the manger scene. 

God entered our chaos and pain 2000 years ago to bring to us love, joy and peace. He invites us to make room in the “inn of hearts” for the healing the Christ Child can bring. 

No room, only a manger of hay. No room, He is a stranger today.
No room, here in His world turned away. No room, no room.
No room, here in the hearts of mankind. No room, no cheery welcome could find.
No room, surely the world is blind, no room.
Angels, in heaven up yonder, watch with amazement and wonder
to see the Son of the Highest treated so!
No room, only a manger of hay. No room, He is a stranger today.
No room, here in His world turned away. No room, no room.

THE FIRST NOEL

How I wish I could have been a shepherd under the stars that magnificent night.

“I’ll just be a minute,” I said to my husband as I stepped out the front door. It had become a custom to stargaze from the front lawn before bedtime. From the center of our front lawn, I held up my iPhone and focused on one particularly bright star, wondering which it might be. Skyview App allows one to focus their iPhone camera on a star which it will then identify.

No more wondering. No more guessing. “Jupiter,” I whispered to the night. Such glow! Such twinkle! So unusually bright against the dark night sky. It was as if one had poked a hole through a backlit canopy of deep blue velvet to let the light shine through. As wonderful as it was, however, I pondered how small and insignificant it was in contrast to the experience of “certain poor shepherds in fields” one incredibly holy night.

THE HEAVENLY HOST APPEARED

There they were, star gazing and sheep grazing below the same sky of deep blue velvet in pastoral astonishment! Interrupted, not by a just the appearance of a bright star, but an angelic Heavenly Host, brighter than anyone could possibly set their mind to imagine. Greater and brighter than any App would be able to explain away.

NO MORE WONDERING

Born is the King of Israel the angels proclaimed! How grateful I am for the skies that behold daily beauty and miraculous heavenly announcements. Noel! Noel! The angels did say. How I wish I could have been a shepherd under the stars that magnificent night. How blessed to have been a witness to the announcement of the birth of our dear Savior, declaring, Jesus is born! God is with us! No more wondering. No more guessing.

The First Noel the Angels did say was to certain poor shepherds in fields as they lay
In fields where they lay keeping their sheep on a cold winter’s night that was so deep
Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel! Born is the King of Israel!

I HEARD THE BELLS ON CHRISTMAS DAY

Christmas Day 1862 Henry wrote in his journal “A merry Christmas” say the children, but that is no more for me.”

American poet Henry Wadsworth Longfellow wrote these lyrics during a dark season. Two years previously his wife had been sealing envelopes with hot wax when the flame caught her clothes on fire.  Henry, burned badly as well, was too sick to attend her funeral.

NO MORE JOY FOR ME

For the remainder of his life, he covered up his facial scars behind a long beard. Christmas Day 1862 Henry wrote in his journal “A merry Christmas” say the children, but that is no more for me.”

GRIEF AT ITS DEEPEST

By 1863 the country was tearing itself apart in the Civil War.  Against Henry’s wishes (and fears) his son, Charles, enlisted in the army. No wonder Henry wrote: And in despair I bowed my head, ‘There is no peace on earth,’ I said, for hate is strong and mocks the song of peace on earth, good will to men. In November, a bullet pierced Charles from back to shoulder, just nicking his spine. Henry traveled to Washington to retrieve his son from the hospital.  Arriving at home December 8th, Charles began his extended convalescence.  This was grief at its deepest. 

God loved Henry in the midst. His love had not run out. Slowly, Henry’s heart began to heal and turn back to God.  Along with everything else, he experienced a dry season in writing.  But then, sitting at his desk one morning he heard the church bells.  Henry’s heart began to resonate with the return of hope. 

THE RETURN OF HOPE

Hope for his son, hope for his family and hope for a nation torn apart by war.  God began to wake his heart when he wrote: Then pealed the bells more loud and deep: God is not dead; nor doth he sleep! The wrong shall fail, the right prevail. With peace on earth, good-will to men! God had not departed. The sinless One, Jesus Christ, came to bring hope: complete reconciliation between mankind and God. 

THE BELLS PEAL FOR ETERNITY

Because of this, Longfellow journaled: “I thought how as the day had come; the belfries of all Christendom had rolled along the unbroken song of peace on earth, good will to men.   That’s why the bells peal for all eternity.”  Will the bells peal for all eternity signaling that you have made peace with God via Jesus Christ?  Even when grief is at its deepest, God has not departed. The season of darkness can pass.  

In despair, I bowed my head. there is no peace on earth, I said, “For hate is strong and mocks the song of peace on earth, good will to men.” Then pealed the bells, more loud and deep God is not dead, nor doth he sleep. The wrong shall fail, the right prevail with peace on earth, good will to men.

THE SAVIOR HAS COME

Remember the words of the 3-year-old.  “Jesus has come to be the Savior of the world!”

The beauty of a freshly cut Christmas tree adorned with twinkling lights.  The ornaments shimmer and sparkle.  Strands of tinsel, spools of bright red ribbon and colorful balls enhance the appearance of the finished creation. This project takes the better part of a day to complete. Is this how Jesus wants us to remember Christmas?

MY TINY HANDS PLACED JESUS IN THE MANGER

I am drawn to a simpler perspective. When I was in preschool at the age of 3, we were taught the story of Jesus’ birth with a felt board.  My favorite part of the lesson was to recreate the nativity scene and tell the story all by myself; in simple 3-year-old language. I always saved baby Jesus for last because He is the best part of the story.  My tiny hands placed baby Jesus in the manger and covered Him with the white felt cloth. I said, “The Savior of the world was born, and His name was Jesus.”

The story of Jesus’ birth; so simple that a 3-year-old can tell it, yet so powerful that our grown-up minds still struggle to comprehend its majestic meaning. Luke 2: 11-12 announces, “Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”

AT AGE 3, THE MEANING OF THIS BIRTH CHANGED MY LIFE FOREVER

Shortly after learning the story in preschool, I made a simple craft for my Christmas tree.  A cracked walnut shell represented the manger.  My small hands found the perfect sized peanut shell to symbolize Jesus, and a rust-colored piece of fabric to swaddle the “baby”.  With fine-tipped Sharpie marker I drew simple face.  I chose to make the mouth of my baby Jesus smile since he really was the Savior of the world.  At the age of three, the meaning of this birth changed my heart forever.

THE ORNAMENT WITH JESUS TUCKED INSIDE

Fifty years later, I still have the walnut ornament with Jesus tucked inside. I see Its dull colors and the Sharpie black face has faded to gray. And yes, the peanut occasionally needs regluing. My once freshly cut Christmas tree is now artificial, but still beautiful.  I still have the twinkling lights and many beautifully colored ornaments. But my favorite ornament of all is the walnut shelled manger holding the peanut Jesus. It is front and center. What is your heart yearning for this Advent season?  May your hearts be filled with peace.  A peace that only the Holy Spirit can fill.  Simply slow down and be still.  Remember the words of the 3-year-old.  “Jesus has come to be the Savior of the world!”

It came upon the midnight clear, that glorious song of old,
from angels bending near the earth to touch their harps of gold:
“Peace on the earth, good will to men, from heaven’s all-gracious King.”
The world in solemn stillness lay, to hear the angels sing.
For lo! the days are hastening on, by prophet seen of old,
when with the ever-circling years shall come the time foretold
when peace shall over all the earth its ancient splendors fling,
and the whole world send back the song which now the angels sing.

O HOLY NIGHT

The King born over 2000 years ago, is desperately needed today in this chaotic world we live in.

This is my favorite Christmas hymn.  However, as I listen to the song being played, I think of today’s war-torn Israel, the Holy City being bombed, and innocent lives being lost.  The King born over 2000 years ago, is desperately needed today in this chaotic world we live in. His birth offers hope to a hurting world, the Gospel of Peace, and a newness for mornings to follow. Christ is the only One Who can conquer chaos. He is faithful.

MY GOD DOES NOT BREAK PROMISES

Born in humble manager, He reigns on a glorious throne above. The song goes, “Fall on your knees!  Hear the angel voices!”  Oh, how this song brings a vision of when I will see Him face to face.  Will I fall on my knees? Will I join the angel voices? As His beloved child, I know I will see Him because of His promise. My God does not break promises.

I sing this hymn with pure joy. On my knees I worship the Lord of Lords. Do I possibly hear angel voices in a choir surrounding me?

HE IS FAITHFUL

May this hymn bring joy and peace to you.  May the Lord’s power and glory be present in your lives.  With all our hearts let’s praise our Lord and Savior This Christmas Season.

O holy night the stars are brightly shining, it is the night of our dear Savior’s birth.
Long lay the world in sin and error pining, till He appeared and the soul felt its worth. The thrill of hope the weary world rejoices and yonder breaks a new and glorious morn. Fall on your knees, Oh hear the angel voices, O night divine, O night when Christ was born. O night divine, O night O night divine. Truly He taught us to love one another His law is love and His gospel is peace. Chains shall He break for the slave is our brother and in His name all oppression shall cease. Sweet hymns of joy in grateful chorus raise. Let all within us praise His holy name. Christ is the Lord. Oh praise His name forever. His power and glory, evermore evermore proclaim!

O COME ALL YE FAITHFUL (HIS NAME SHALL BE)

But just who is it that we are singing to? What is his name? 

I do not remember a lot from my childhood about Christmas, except for the secular traditions that brought great excitement to my young life. The presents were always a big part of the day as well as eating with all my relatives. I especially looked forward to the baked lima beans, they were my favorite! And if it snowed on Christmas, well, that was the cherry on top. But I do remember sitting in church and really liking the hymns. I know, that’s kind of weird for a 10-year-old, but I enjoyed the sound and the words. “O come all ye faithful” was one of my favorites.

This beautiful Christmas hymn invites everyone to come to Him.  Come to worship Him, come to adore Him, come to powerfully sing the songs of heaven so that His name is exalted. But just who is it that we are singing to? What is his name? 

HIS NAME IS WONDERFUL!

About halfway through the song the writer tells us exactly what His name is. First, he says it is Wonderful. When I think of things that are wonderful, I think of a car I used to own that would start every morning even when the temperature was so cold that my fingers stuck to the steering wheel. I think of a job I used to have that paid me more than what I thought I was worth yet God graciously provided me every day with the ministry tools I needed. It was wonderful. And then of course I think of that special meal my wife made me for Father’s Day. It was unbelievable; it was wonderful.

HE IS IMMANUEL

When I think of things that are wonderful, they usually bring warmth, a sense of accomplishment, and of course, satisfaction. Christ brings all of these because He is wonderful. But He has another name, He is the Counselor. Jesus is someone that I can trust to tell my story to, even though He already knows it. He still wants me to come to Him and pour out my heart to Him. His name shall be Wonderful, Counselor, Everlasting Father. His name is also Prince of Peace and Mighty God. But that last one really gets me. His name shall be Immanuel. Wow! That name means “God with us”!

WHO ARE WE SINGING TO?

Everyone is supposed to sing: the choirs of angels, the citizens of heaven, and all on earth. I cannot imagine that leaves anyone! And who are we singing to? Immanuel. God with us. There are so many religions out there that promise people the moon, but they never follow through, because they cannot. In Christianity we find answers to life’s problems because we worship the God who understands each of us. He is the God who is there with us, to care for us all the time, and He invites us to enjoy his presence daily. Yes, we will praise His name forever because He is Christ the Lord!

His name shall be Wonderful, Counselor. His name shall be Everlasting Father. His name shall be Prince of Peace, Mighty God. His name shall be Immanuel. O come, let us adore Him Christ the Lord!

FROM BLACK AND WHITE TO TECHNICOLOR

The pinnacle is Scrooge’s tale of redemption

I am one of the thousands who love A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens.  To be honest, I never read the book beyond the first chapter, but I’ve watched every version of the movie that has crossed my path including The Muppets’ version and my childhood favorite, Mr. Magoo’s Christmas Carol. 

THE BLACK & WHITE STAGE

Knowing my passion for A Christmas Carol, my husband surprised me with a tickets for a local performance. When the play started, I wasn’t sure what to think.  At first, the stage was bare. The actors doubled as props (to see actors contort themselves into a bed is extraordinary).  The choice of lighting created the appearance of a black and white film. I quickly became engrossed.

A CHANGED MAN

During the scene with the Spirit of Christmas Past, some actors pulled people from the audience to participate in Fezziwig’s Ball.  To my delight, I was selected!  I’d say that dancing on stage with the cast was the highlight of the evening, but in A Christmas Carol, the pinnacle is always Scrooge’s experience of true redemption.   My favorite line of Scrooge is when he pleads with the Spirit of Christmas Future. He explains he is a changed man and pledges, “I will honor Christmas in my heart and try to keep it all the year.”  He is transformed!

COLOR BATHES THE STAGE

At the end of the play Scrooge awakes. He discovers he is alive and has not missed Christmas. His previous dark heart is filled with joy. He now longs to give whereas before all he wanted to do was steal. At this point in the stage production, the stage is no longer just black and white. Color now bathes the actors as Scrooge crosses over from death to life.  Scripture gives us beautiful example of this in Ezekiel 36:26, “I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh.”

HE HAS RESCUED US

I love this play because it is a great illustration of true redemption freely available to all of us. Is there anything sweeter than knowing we can come to God, through his son Jesus any time we need forgiveness? God is always ready and available to hear from us. All this is made possible through the blood of Jesus Christ.   “For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins” (Colossians 1:13, 14).

Even better than Scrooge, we can experience eternal redemption. Is your life full of God’s life in eternal technicolor? Are you redeemed from the darkness?

God rest ye merry gentlemen let nothing you dismay
Remember Christ our Savior was born on Christmas Day
To save us all from Satan’s pow’r when we were gone astray
Oh tidings of comfort and joy, comfort and joy
Oh tidings of comfort and joy!