Hard-hearted holidays...

I'm having a hard time realizing that it's December already. Where did this year go? As Christmas is upon us, I often find myself grumpier. Not in a bah-humbug way, but in a herumpf kinda way. Between the glitter Marys at Borders and the inflatable Santas at Wal-Mart, I find myself disheartened at Christmas because the truth is hidden among glitter and lights. Few remember that Christ was born, but even fewer remember WHY Christ was born.

I was singing Christmas carols from the Trinity Hymnal yesterday as I was feeding Judah. And the words to "O Come O Come Emmanuel" struck me. So often, I just sing the tune because they are familiar and I know it by heart. But I sang it slowly yesterday truly taking in the words. "O come o come Emmanuel, ransom captive Israel". Come Christ and ransomed us captives. We are in exile from our Lord because of our sin. Christ came as our ransom to save us from ourselves. And more glorious than that- He succeeded.

"for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23)
"For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." (Romans 6:23)

We are fallen, never able to get ourselves up on our own. We cannot save ourselves. But in Christ, we have risen. In Christ, we are saved ETERNALLY, a salvation we never have to doubt. Praise you Lord! So instead of bah-humbugging, my heart will be filled with eternal joy because Jesus is Lord. He has paid the ransom and waits for us in glory!