Permission Granted to Let a Few Things Slide

It’s no longer “beginning to look a lot like Christmas” because it is Christmas and it's exploding in living color, bright lights, adored Christmas carols playing, Santas at Salvation Army kettles and stores, shoppers with carts loaded with treasures to be wrapped and placed under the exquisite trees I’ve seen displayed on FB and Instagram. We are in our Christmas element and how sweet it is – or is it?

I am resisting the urge to get in a tizzy about checking off everything from my to-do list. I’m pulling back the reins and purposely asking myself one simple question each day: "What can I realistically do today to focus on the main thing?"

My deepest desire is to keep Jesus at the center of this season and seek Him above all else. My heart echoes David’s in Psalm 27:8, “When You said, “Seek My face,” my heart said to You, “Your face, O Lord, I will seek.”” I do that in my early morning devotion times, but I was intentional yesterday as I started attending a Wednesday Advent Meditations group – seriously putting the emphasis on Who this season is all about.

I know that in this “season" of life, I can set aside quiet, holy, and intimate times far more readily than you moms and dads who have many items on your getting-longer-by-the-minute to-do lists. I know that I can sit quietly watching the twinkling lights on my little tree – far longer than some of you can. But still, I urge you to give yourself permission to let a few things slide to pursue what matters most this holiday season.

Putting Jesus first and foremost promises us peace that passes understanding and joy that flows out of abundance from our hearts. I assure you – when Jesus is front and center – He makes all the to-dos lighter, more enjoyable, and He even enlists His heavenly messengers to give us supernatural assistance at check-out lines or finding that one main item on our list faster. The “Reason" for the season wants to short-cut the to-dos when we give Him a front-row-seat in OUR Christmas story. “But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” Matthew 6:33. We won’t miss one thing that matters most on our Christmas list, because the thing – rather the King -- wasn’t missed.

Isaiah 26:3, “You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you!”

Palm Sunday = Salvation Army Everyday!

It’s Palm Sunday and the beginning of Holy Week. Palm Sunday represents the triumphant entry of Jesus into Jerusalem. Today, churches will celebrate in different ways. Some will simply acknowledge it, or not, while others make a big deal about it. At some churches, the people meet then they emerge to process around the outside of the church or down a hallway into the sanctuary. They’ll be waving palm branches, others playing musical instruments, others shouting and singing, "Hosanna." Other church’s choirs, orchestra and drama team will begin presenting the Easter story through music and drama. However you and/or your church celebrates it, it is certain that Palm Sunday is a day of rejoicing, for OUR King is coming!

I read this story about pastor and seminary professor, Dr. Walter Bruggemann. “He and the rest of the Palm Sunday procession were heading toward the church when a young man living in the apartment house across the street threw up the window and shouted, "What's all that noise? You sound like the Salvation Army!" Dr. Bruggemann looked up at him and said, "Son, we ARE the Salvation Army!" What better way to sum up the events of the first Palm Sunday than to call it a Salvation Army Parade?

Holy Week begins today with Jesus' "ragtag army parade" coming into Jerusalem. He came -- not on an elaborate float or carried on a King’s opulent throne or riding a magnificent white stallion, but on a donkey, followed by His "ragtag army", a motley crew of disciples and peasant followers. There were no loud brass bands playing triumphant music to acclaim the King’s arrival. There were just lowly pilgrims waving palm branches and shouting “Hosanna, blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord”. Luke 19:38. Today, we visualize "being there" with those who had witnessed the miracles of Jesus, His kindness and love, and they just KNEW that He was their long-awaited King who would set all chaotic things in order.

Just three years after appearing on the scene, Jesus' “Salvation Army Story" on this earth was coming to a fast close, but His “Story” just began because it would ultimately become our “Salvation Story”. Jesus knew what He was doing. He set His destiny into motion when He arranged for a donkey and two of his disciples brought it to Him. Jesus set the stage for the fulfillment of Isaiah’s prophecy spoken and referred to in Matthew 21:5 "Say to the Daughter of Zion, 'See your king comes to you, gentle and riding on a donkey."

We know that “pomp and circumstance” comes to kings and royalty, but it isn’t so with King Jesus. He is a different kind of king. His throne isn’t about determination to rule. His is determination to serve. Most royal figures spend time building their egos; His comes with total humility. Kings, today, ride in majestic, streamlined jets. King Jesus rode on a donkey. He knew exactly what He was doing. A donkey is a symbol of meekness and peace. How different His entry was – not a 21-gun salute, but swishing of palm branches. A king’s death was hailed by royal salutes, but King Jesus knew His was to be a cross. Oh, yes, OUR King is a different King.

Not only did our King know precisely who He was when He entered Jerusalem, but right now He knows who He is as He enters the Jerusalem of OUR lives. He healed the blind and lame. He touched people. He touched ALL people – those with rank, and those who were broken, rejected, and unloved. He never refused anyone who came to Him for help. He helped those with shattered dreams and bruised spirits. And the best news is, that’s the people He came for – those “ragtag” people -- people like you and me. His “ragtag army” – His SALVATION ARMY that will lift His banner high as we worship, praise, and are His ambassadors to a world that needs Him so much.

Wise Men Still Seek Him

Santa Claus came and went. The reindeer's nose is no longer shining. The carolers have closed their Christmas song books. Chestnuts are no longer roasting on an open fire. My Canadian family are so happy we're no longer singing "Let it snow. Let it snow." and "I'm Dreaming of a White Christmas", since they now have over 30 feet of snow piled up everywhere. The bells are no longer jingling.

And here at the Wuerch Family's home in Austin, the Christmas lights and decorations have been put away for another year and the 12-foot "real" tree (a real Christmas tree is a "must have" in this family), now dry as a bone and needles shed all over, was hauled off last night. I love to have that task done for my kids while they're away on their annual anniversary trip just after Christmas. This year I had the help of big-brother Barrett and the little brothers, Brennan and Bryson, in getting the tubs down from the attic and once I've filled them up with the decor, they hauled them back up the attic. Whew!

Life will be back to normal again for most of us very soon. The generosity we had for those less fortunate in December and the magic will gradually begin to fade. After all, the Salvation Army volunteers will no longer be ringing their bells at their kettles to remind us of those in need.

Life will soon be back to normal again very soon. "Normal" often means that the magic of the season will begin to fade. But for the moment, the magic is still in the air. I sense it. Maybe that’s why I’m able to type this blog in such sweet peace. The boys are fast asleep -- how can all that ever-so-high energy be reduced to such stillness, quietness and peacefulness? And in this stillness, I'm still savoring the spirit just a bit more. Though the lights that represented the LIGHT of this season were taken down at this household yesterday, I pray that the brilliant LIGHT of Christ that we beheld last week, we will still be looking to Him throughout 2017. And I can’t help but think: if we could give Him so much thought and homage during December, how much more would we live in the spirit of Christmas, if we thought of Him every day?

It's true.....WISE men and WOMEN still seek Him, and when we SEEK, we will FIND Him. He's not hiding. His LIGHT is brilliant for all of us to SEE Him......Jesus said, "I am the LIGHT of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the LIGHT of life.".......EVERYDAY!