POP-UP CHRISTMAS
...weeping may stay for the night,
but rejoicing comes in the morning.
Psalm 30:5b (NIV)
Night and day. Peaks and valleys. Sometimes it's smooth sailing, and other times we find ourselves in the depths. In Psalm 30, David cries for mercy and mentions his enemies, death and despair. Then he contrasts that with praise for and trust in God. I can relate to this psalm. I've felt at my end before. I've known the depths of darkness with depression and loss, yet my heart still sang praises to the Lord.
Here's a true story.
I had just moved into my home after leaving a rental with black mold. God provided this home as a place of safety, orchestrating everything and giving me the help I needed while I was so sick from the effects of the mold. It was early December, and although I was mostly unpacked, I wasn't thinking about Christmas. I was exhausted and finally able to rest—and breathe. I hadn't decorated much for years, so when a good friend offered to bring over a Christmas tree and put it up, I resisted. I told her I hadn't had a tree in years, didn't have many decorations, and this would be my first Christmas without both my mom and dad. Being the good friend she is—and I'm sure listening to the Lord more than me—she brought the tree anyway. She set it beside the fireplace, fluffed the branches and plugged it in. Just like that, I had a beautiful reminder of childhood Christmases. Then my sister gave me a lighted swag for the mantel, and suddenly my home was decorated for Christmas.
They have no idea how much joy it brought me to sit there on winter evenings, surrounded by twinkling lights with Christmas carols playing. I never would have done it for myself, but God knew exactly what I needed. He used two wonderful women to bring light into a dark season. There was joy, friendship, family and God. He had been with me through it all, turning my mourning into dancing in so many ways.
You turned my wailing into dancing; you removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy, that my heart may sing your praises and not be silent. LORD my God, I will praise you forever.
Psalm 30:11-12 (NIV)
APPLICATION: What has the Lord brought you through this year? How can you help spread His joy to someone this Christmas season? Ask the Holy Spirit to lead you in the who and how.
PRAYER: O Lord, my God, You are my help. You are faithful. I want to dance for joy in Your presence, praising You forever. Amen.
"… Our Father in heaven…" Matthew 6:9b (NLT)
• What do You want to say to me today as my Father?
"… may your name be kept holy." Matthew 6:9c (NLT)
• What do You want to reveal to me about Your power today?
"May your Kingdom come soon." Matthew 6:10a (NLT)
• Help me make Your priorities my priorities today.
"Give us today the food we need," Matthew 6:11 (NLT)
• Is there anything specific You want me to do with my time or the people I'm around today?
"and forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us" Matthew 6:12 (NLT)
• Reveal to me anyone I need to forgive or ask for forgiveness.
"And don’t let us yield to temptation…" Matthew 6:13a (NLT)
• Is there anywhere I'm vulnerable to temptation?