I could fill the page with fun photos of the season, but that isn't my purpose in blogging. I did want to post another photo of a wreath. Somehow, given the meaning and significance of the wreath (previous blog), I appreciate them more. It seems no two are alike.
Christmas cards are one of my favorite things - staying in touch with family and old friends that we may not see often during the year. I love the photos people send, and also the notes they write to let me know how they are. Many great ones, but think the one from old friends who live near Rochester, NY is my favorite this year. I'd like to share the wisdom and creative writing of Roy Lessin...
GOD'S GIFT
Little baby on the hay,
soon there'll be another day
when nails shall pierce Your hands and feet
as You provide our sin's defeat.
Risen Jesus on the throne,
we lift our praise to You alone -
for You're the gift that we receive
the moment that our hearts believe.
The message inside the card . . .
"This Christmas, as you consider all the awesome things that have come to you through Jesus, God's perfect gift, remember that it is but a taste of all the good things that are yet to come." Yes!!
I was heartened to see the photo called 'Earthrise' and read an article on the front page of my local paper, the San Diego Union -Tribune, on Christmas Eve, written by a journalist named Peter Rowe. The article was to celebrate the 50 year anniversary, Christmas Eve 1968, of Apollo 8, the first manned flight to send humans into orbit around the moon. I remember this, I sat with my one year old daughter on my lap and cried as I watched the news coverage. I cried again while reading of this awesome experience the three astronauts, Anders, Lovell and Borman, now in their 80's, shared while the world was watching.
Rowe writes, "It was a soul-tapping shot of a planet that was not at peace." Have we ever really been 'at peace'? I don't think so, but someday those of us who call Him Lord will see peace through Jesus, the Prince of Peace. It was somewhat of a miracle that Anders was able to capture the earth over the horizon of the moon. An author and space historian, Francis French, wrote...
"The earth looks fragile, delicate, an oasis of color in the vast blackness of space...Bill Anders remarked that the crew had voyaged all the way to the moon...only to understand the true nature of our home planet, the Earth."
NASA told Anders that he was going to be orbiting the moon on Christmas Eve and they wanted him to think of something profound to say. Robbins writes, "The crew got it right, using words that brought people out of their homes, into the street, where they looked to the heavens as Apollo 8 made ten loops around Earth's only natural satellite."
During a live telecast from space, Anders turned to a Bible and begin reading from Genesis 1,
"In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth."
How thrilling that God's Word was read in space while circling the moon that day. It's also thrilling to me that this piece would be on the front page of a newspaper that often has misleading headings for articles and generally pushes their own agenda. I often find the editorials way off base, seldom read them now. Maybe I can drum up a little forgiveness in the Spirit of the season.
Photo of my son Steve and I was taken in San Diego's Little Italy shortly before Christmas where we enjoyed a good time and a great meal.
Lord, thank you for our beautiful earth, often in pain and disarray, but your gift to us. We know your Word says that this earth is not going to last forever. You tell us that someday there will be a new heaven and a new earth and You alone will reign - King of Kings, Lord of Lords, forever and forever without end.
