When I sit down this morning to make this blog entry, I said to myself, "Self, resist the urge to write something Christmassy." Sermons, blogs, emails, etc. have saturated the season with retellings, summarizations, wonderings and postulations concerning the birth of Jesus. My thoughts were: 1. There is nothing I can write that has not already been put out there many times over. 2. Go against the flow. Be that salmon and swim against the Yuletide.
But the Holy Spirit had other plans for me.
Today's verses from Blackaby's book come from John.
John 21:20-21 Peter turned and saw that the disciple whom Jesus loved was following them. . . When Peter saw him, he asked, "Lord, what about him?"
Chapter 21 takes place after Jesus' resurrection. He is bringing Peter back into the fold after Peter's trifecta denial of Jesus during the trial and crucifixion. Jesus is presenting Peter with the awesome privilege and responsibility of taking care of the fledgling Christian church. Jesus is even giving Peter a veiled prediction of Peter's death. One would think that a person would be completely engrossed in such a conversation, especially with a person who had just risen from the dead and was the Son of God.
Oh, Peter, my boy. How human you were. Rather falling at Jesus' feet in praise, thanksgiving and adoration or at the very least asking some probing questions, Peter starts to worry about another disciple. Peter's concern and attention were so easily drawn away from the Lord.
Have I allowed my eyes to be drawn away from the Christ child during this holiday season? Has Madison Avenue replaced the manger? Has wrapping paper replaced swaddling clothes? Have gift cards replaced gold, frankincense and myrrh? I would like to be able to answer those questions with a resounding, "No!" But like Peter, my attention is so easily drawn away from the Christ child. The good news is, that also like Peter, God continues to forgive and receive me back.
May this Christmas day be about Christ and His love for each of us.
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