December 2011
Dear Friends,
I pray that you are walking in the peace and joy of our Saviour as you celebrate Him during this advent season!
Even as we are remembering the birth of Jesus this month, I have been reminded of the great reason that he came. Though the shepherds and wise men and angels may not have fully understood the final outcome when they first saw the Messiah, we as present day believers can see the whole picture of his life, death and resurrection to save us from our sins and reconcile us to the Father. That day in Bethlehem when Christ was born, the destiny of the entire world was brought to fulfillment!
For many Canadians it seems that this year, even more than ever before, anxiety, heaviness and depression are rampant during what should be a season of great joy and freedom. Instead of celebrating the birthday of Christ, our culture is going crazy with the mad rush of “X-mas” shopping, the pressure of obligatory holiday “entertaining” with relatives that we see once a year, the unspoken but oh-so-present competition of who is going to give the best gift or put up the best decorations or cook the best meal, and a bombardment of holiday advertising creating sensory overload everywhere we turn. With unreachable expectations ramping higher and higher, our spirits can continue to get lower and lower. And even if we don’t succumb to the holiday frenzy and we try to just focus on the real reason for the season, the atmosphere around us can still cause inward turmoil as the noise level continues to increase in the spirit realm. Even if we haven’t been in the malls or scrambling to “deck the halls” with every festive ornament imaginable, for no reason at all we can feel depressed, discouraged and heavy.
Friends, let me encourage you – it’s not you!! You’re not walking in sin or missing the mark, or dealing with unconquerable issues. During this season, because of our society’s pagan worship of self and “stuff”, the enemy has an open door to throw his fiery darts. He is playing on the minds and hearts of people to try to get us to give up and give in. But, take a deep breath and say, “I’m alright.” Rejoice!! Almighty God has given us a weapon to walk in peace, joy and victory! Jesus already won through his journey from Bethlehem to Calvary; the Prince of Peace now sits at the right hand of the Father interceding for us!
So what is our weapon? It’s our WORSHIP! There is only one gift you need to give this Christmas, fellow saints in the trench, and there is only One you need to give it to…and you don’t have to go shopping or spend a cent! Amid the frenzy, don’t lose sight of the most important thing – Jesus. When you start to feel heaviness and anxiety creeping in, put on the garment of PRAISE (Isaiah 61:3)!
As I reflect again on the cross beyond the manger, I am so moved by the account of the faithful women who ministered to Jesus’ needs throughout his ministry, and how they continued to pour themselves out even after his death. In Luke’s gospel, he tells of their response; “And the women who had come with Him from Galilee followed after, and they observed the tomb and how His body was laid. Then they returned and prepared spices and fragrant oils. And they rested on the Sabbath according to the commandment.” (Luke 23:55-56) I don’t know why I never saw it before, but I realized as I was reading this age-old account once again that these women must have been in such sorrow. They had just lost their Saviour, rabbi, brother, son, friend. They could have thrown in the towel and allowed bitterness and sadness to overtake them, but instead they followed the example of their teacher and continued to serve. With great love, they prepared spices and perfumes that they would use to anoint the body of their precious Lord. And then they rested. I believe this is the same thing Jesus is asking of us; that even in what can be a challenging time for many, we would allow a worship to arise out of our heaviness that will be a sweet incense and anointing unto Him and will lift us up above that oppression and remind us of the truth – our Saviour is Risen! And, having done all we can, we will rest in the knowledge that He is God.
“The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; Those who dwelt in the land of the shadow of death, upon them a light has shined. You have multiplied the nation and increased its joy; They rejoice before You according to the joy of harvest, as men rejoice when they divide the spoil. For You have broken the yoke of his burden and the staff of his shoulder, the rod of his oppressor, as in the day of Midian. For every warrior’s sandal from the noisy battle, and garments rolled in blood, will be used for burning and fuel of fire. For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given; and the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of His government and peace there will be no end, upon the throne of David and over His kingdom, to order it and establish it with judgment and justice from that time forward, even forever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this.” (Isaiah 9:2-7)
Remember, dear friends; as you celebrate the “beginning” this Christmas, rejoice in the end – our Prince of Peace reigns and we can live in His peace, regardless of what is happening around us. We have been reconciled to the Father, and in His presence is fullness of joy (Psalm 16:11). Don’t come under the yoke of the enemy during this season, but bow down and come into the Holy of Holies. Let worship arise and break off those heavy weights as you rest in His presence, receive His love, and celebrate His victory!
O Come Let Us Adore Him,
Karen Warankie News Director, CIP
From The Trench - November 2011
