Monday, November 7, 2011

Tis the Season!

What do salsa dancing, cowboy hats, Toby Mac, the waltz, and miracle babies have in common?

The Christmas program at church, of course! And did I mention that this program took place on November 6th?

In the States, people don't really begin gearing up for Christmas until after Thanksgiving. Here in Uganda, the Christmas season apparently begins much earlier! The church I regularly attend here in Mbarara just had their annual "Christmas Carols" program, and it was a very cultural experience to say the least! After 3 hours of videos, dances, guest speakers, a sermon, songs from the choir and Sunday school, and various other specials, we left, and they were still going strong!

I have been to many, many different types of Christmas services and celebrations before, but none have been quite as dynamic and unpredictable as this one. As my dear teammate Martha said, "If you weren't there to see it, you really can't understand it. Even if you were there, you can't understand it."

One thing was clear was the central theme of the program: God's love for us. The reverend's message focused on John 3:16. This is a Bible passage that many children first memorize in Sunday school and one that plays an important role in the message of the Gospel. The reverend pointed out that God's love, a love that is immeasurable, incomparable, and incomprehensible, is for the whole world. Yet this love that He has for us doesn't fall down over all people in the earth like rain, but rather, it requires a response and action on our part.

"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life."

Every human, created and sustained by God alone, has to make a choice to accept or reject the Lord. God "wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth" (1 Timothy 2:4). He looks on us with deep and passionate love. We are his creation, and we are made in His image. We are created and live to magnify and glorify Him alone.

For He alone is worthy.
For He alone is worthy.
For He alone is worthy.
Christ the Lord.

Just as there is nothing we can do to earn God's love for us, there is nothing we can do to lose God's love. All we must do is believe and accept that we can't do it on our own. That we need Someone who is infinitely stronger and greater than we. It is when our souls feels his worth and our hearts open to receive grace upon grace that we enter into a saving relationship with Him. A relationship that leads to eternal life!

Joy to the world, the Lord is come.
Let earth receive her King.
Let every heart prepare him room.

Despite the Christmas program, I don't feel like the Christmas season is here quite yet. I'm acutely aware, though, that the message of hope and fulfillment Christmas brings is not limited to a certain time of year. It's for anyone at anytime anywhere. It's never too early, or too late for that matter, to welcome Christ into your life and start living! Jesus came that you might have life and have it to the full (John 10:10).

Born that man no more may die
Born to raise the sons of earth
Born to give them second birth

A very merry (and very early) Christmas to you!

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