Behold, I will create new heavens and a new earth. The former things will not be remembered, nor will they come to mind. But be glad and rejoice forever in what I will create, for I will create Jerusalem to be a delight and its people a joy. I will rejoice over Jerusalem and take delight in my people; the sound of weeping and of crying will be heard in it no more. Isa. 65:17-19
Dear heavenly Father, standing in a long checkout line at Costco, I was reminded of the multiple ways the story of Christmas is told and experienced in our culture, as I overheard cart to cart interaction. But the real kicker was hearing Bing Crosby was croon, “Have yourself a merry little Christmas, from now on our troubles will be out of sight.” Really? I found myself grateful for the way you tell the story.
Father, there’s really nothing merely “merry” or “little” about Christmas, and it certainly isn’t a day about denying or hiding from our troubles. For in sending Jesus to us, you’ve underscored just as desperate our condition is; but also how matchless your generosity is.
Indeed, the size of our Christmas has absolutely nothing to do with how much discretionary money we have to spend on bigger and better gifts, rather, on how big our gospel is. How I praise you that every Christmas is huge, majestically huge, irrespective of any economy or currency.
Through the gift of Jesus, you’ve promised to redeem a people from every race, tribe, tongue, and people group to live in that eternal world of peace and joy—a people in whom you find great delight and over whom you will rejoice forever. By the gift of Jesus, your law has been fulfilled and your judgment satisfied, on behalf of a most ill-deserving people. We praise you for your generosity, grace and your joy, merciful Father.
By this new born King, you’ve promised to create a new heaven and new earth from the stuff of this very broken world—a new creation world in which you will find great delight—an eternal party of no more tears and terror, no more death and dying, no more heartaches or heart attacks, no more broken relationships or broken anything, no more cancer or even ulcers, no more war or even gossip, no more destruction or even irritation. We praise you for your generosity and your joy, mighty Father.
Lord Jesus, I intend to fix my gaze on you today and not on my shopping cart. For you’re the object, author, and perfecter of our faith. It’s because you have come and are coming again that we live with the blessed assurance that all our sins have been wiped away and the glorious hope that all of our tears likewise will one day be wiped away. This is huge, majestically huge! So very Amen I pray, in your holy and loving name.