simple truth
(I wrote this on Christmas, but since we’ve been internet-less for a few days, I’m posting this a bit late…)
It’s only Christmas because my calendar says so. It doesn’t feel like Christmas. And not just because I’m in Africa, and it’s summer. This year, Christmas just feels…distant. Maybe it’s not so much that it doesn’t feel like Christmas, but that I don’t feel like Christmas. That makes sense inside my brain; I’m not so sure it does outside of it.
But I’m thinking about Christmas, since my calendar reminded me and all. And the thing that keeps skating around my thoughts is this: There is always redemption. I think God had that in mind on the very first Christmas, and He has it on His mind on this one.
I need to remind and be reminded of that simple truth often.
Months ago, I read something that is so simple and yet so powerful. The Hebrew word shalom (peace) literally means nothing missing, nothing broken. And the word shalim (restore) means as if it never happened. There is such hope, such promise in those words.
Nothing missing.
Nothing broken.
As if it never happened.
There is always redemption.
Merry Christmas, friends.
Redemption is so great when you think of it using this all too true definition. I have also heard that Shalom implies a wholeness such as God is whole. We are not just patched up with some left over spare parts – but we are miraculously made new. Thanks for posting this greart reminder of what hope there is in Jesus.
This is beautiful :)
So many times you put into words what I can not. You describe so much of how I too, am feeling at the moment. Christmas was different this year, we missed two of our usual traditions (Christmas light looking and the Cowboy Ball) but I still don’t think those two things were what made this celebration stand out from the others and their memories.
You share such good words and you always know how to say them just right. Thank you my friend and merry Christmas.
Love Hannah
yes, thanks for sharing what i think we all were thinking!
The pastor at our church gave his entire sermon on this word, Shalom, as he was speaking on the list from Isaiah, Wonderful…Prince of Peace. I can tell you where to get the podcast for free if you would like to hear his talk on Peace. Natalie and I enjoyed it. By the way, it was his Christmas Sunday sermon.