The Beginning of the Holidays
They say Aslan is on the move – perhaps has already landed.
And now a very curious thing happened. None of the children knew who Aslan was any more than you do; but the moment the Beaver had spoken these words everyone felt quite different. Perhaps it has sometimes happened to you in a dream that someone says something which you don’t understand but in the dream it feels as if it had some enormous meaning – either a terrifying one which turns the whole dream into a nightmare or else a lovely meaning too lovely to put into words, which makes the dream so beautiful that you remember it all your life and are always wishing you could get into that dream again. It was like that now. At the name of Aslan each one of the children felt something jump in its inside. Edmund felt a sensation of mysterious horror. Peter felt suddenly brave and adventurous. Susan felt as if some delicious smell or some delightful strain of music had just floated by her. And Lucy got the feeling you have when you wake up in the morning and realize that it is the beginning of the holidays or the beginning of summer. ~ C.S. Lewis
I’ve heard it a lot these past few weeks: I used to love the baby in the manger, but then…
What happened then? Folks seem drawn to the baby in the manger but not to the man on the cross. Why do you suppose that is? It’s easy to say churchie things like they just aren’t called, or they’ve hardened their hearts.
It’s harder to say things like maybe they’ve tried to get to know Him by listening to me. Maybe they’ve seen too many performances and too little grace.
Maybe it’s because we paint a picture of a gift at Christmas and condemnation the rest of the year. Maybe it’s time to share that, at Christmas, the holiday is just beginning.
19 Responses to “The Beginning of the Holidays”
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Great reminder. Thanks.
Thank you and God bless you, Drusilla!
~ Debbie
I think we fall in love with His humanity, the cute babe, you know. It is harder to face His deity–the choosing to be sliced to ribbons and hung up to view. And it is harder, mostly because the cute babe grows up and tells us: Follow Me.
Katharine – beautifully worded and true. What’s been weighing on my heart, of late, is whether it’s the true Jesus of the cross that is hard for others to follow, or is the picture we paint of Him a poor reflection of His love and grace?
~ Debbie
Oh. Got it. And He says if we lift Him up, He will draw all . . . got it!
Katharine – I’ve read your responses to many hurting hearts – you SO get it!
~ Debbie
Wow. Thank you . I’m not sure I get it, but you surely are kind to think so!
Debbie . . .I had never heard that, that some loved the baby Jesus, but then . . .something happened. This faith in Him which we carry and share, it also calls us to be responsible too. I really, really loved this and thinking of ways to convey that the holiday is just beginning . . .a glorious adventure and love is about to start.
Thank you so much for inspiring us with His grace. God bless you as you begin each day in love with Him!
love you! the other deb
Dear Deb – Because I live a rather isolated life right now, most of my contact, a part from the guys on the rig, is on line. This has taken me into the lives of people I otherwise wouldn’t have had the privilege of knowing. For some, not all, we meet here in our blogs with a different degree of vulnerability. I’ve read more sadness about lost faith than I could ever have imagined and I so agree with you – we do have a responsibility to share our faith with loving grace. Thank you, friend.
I love you, too,.
Debbie
C. S. Lewis…how great! Just finished The Fountainhead again.
Linda – I’m embarrassed to admit I’ve never read Ayn Rand – but if you’ve read The Fountainhead more than once, perhaps I should give it a try! Thank you!
Debbie~
Speak to me baby! Boy does this post hit home. I’m thinking of getting the Complete Works of C.S. Lewis. What a terrific writer. My God (‘scuse me) … i can absolutely feel what he writes. I felt like i was thinking of a wonderful dream while reading his words. THAT is tricky. I’m a terrible reader/rememberer.
Anyway. WOW, what YOU wrote spoke to me: Volumes.
Performance and Talk vs. Receiving or Sharing Grace.
And, is it a hard heart? Good question. Sounds better than, “they’ve stubborned their heart”.
melis
dear melis – Clearly, I love C.S. Lewis – since I quote him about every 3rd post. I don’t think you’d be disappointed if you were to chose to read some of his work. This particular except is from The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe – one of seven books in The Chronicles of Narnia. They’re children’s books – sort of – possibly in the way Alice in Wonderland is a children’s book. I’ve read the series more times than I can count and still find it to be delightful. Lewis maintained that good literature for children must be good literature by adult standards, although not every good book is necessarily good for children. (not the exact quote, but close)
By the way, I like your heart.
~ Debbie
My favorite part is “too many performances and too little grace”. Without love, I am nothing. And it’s really obvious to others when I have not love because I have not grace.
Heidi – yes my friend, you are so right, without love we are a clanging cymbal – all performance, no heart. You are, by the way, stuffed with grace.
Debbie
Wonderful thoughts!
Jeanne – thank you. Jack had a way with words like no other.
~ Debbie
I love this one, Debbie. So true. Sharing grace now and the whole year would truly be a gift.
Dear Debby, who truly is livingingraceland – you evidence exactly this sharing of grace so very well. You inspire and encourage me.
Debbie