Living in darkness

I am a weary traveller.

There is a plan charted out, birthed before the ages.  This path has been worn not only by necessity, but in utter anticipation for my passing through.  One generation will praise His works to another. My part in the story keeps me moving forward.  Having received the baton of faith, I prepare to hand it off.

I am a census taker,

rigid and law-abiding.  There are rules to be kept and religion feeds that beast.  The church-girl in me keeps records and checks things off lists, shoulds and woulds.  Then Grace is born and the columns and lines cannot contain Him, cannot, even to the nth-degree hope to define Him.

I am the inn-keeper,

the rooms of my life and heart overcrowded and full.  Life and age and circumstances, not to mention the busyness of the times, filling every nook and cranny.  I almost hopelessly shrug Him off – no room, but a longing to fulfill destiny drives me to make a place for Him, keep Him here close…

A Light has come.  A Light has come!

I am the star.

There are people watching, looking for the hope I’ve been given and I am leading them somewhere.  May I lead aright, pointing them to Jesus.  All for Your name, Lord.  For your acclaim and Your fame in the earth…

I am Mary.

I am incredulous at the call of God on my life.  Heart palpitating, palms sweaty, “How can this be?”  I question God’s reasoning, His trust in me at all, His relentless pursuit.  I concede with a tentative sigh, “Then may it be unto me as You have said.  I am Your servant, I will obey…”

I am Joseph

whose goodness as a moral and loving man could be so wrong-spoken of, his motives and very character questioned in light of his participation in the Plan.  That he risked so much in spite of possible loss of reputation, possibly friends and family even – all for the Glory.  May it be said of me.

I am the shepherds,

kneeling low, sore afraid for the dazzling brilliant power of the revelation of Glory, the ear-splitting loudness of it roaring through my frame.  Everything being promised by these heavenly hosts, too strong to comprehend, almost –  I need, I need.  God has seen me, He has heard my cry and He has thundered in response:  Good news – great joy!!  A Savior is born today!  Peace on earth and goodwill toward men from God! God’s very good-will and Peace towards us.  Overwhelming, unbelievably good news!

I am the  angels

singing of God’s great love, a messenger of the joy of my salvation, spreading the great-great promise of His love, His good-will and His Peace toward those who dwell beside me on earth.  Sweet, sweet song of Salvation

I am a sinner,

trudging along, too many times unaware of all that God has given.  Forgiveness, at my fingertips.  If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. Forgiveness, right there for the acceptance, a hall-pass from death to life from a faithful and just God, by the bloody, agonizing death of Jesus Christ – to His conquering resurrection.  Just like that! [snap fingers here} Forgiven.

Arise, shine.

I am a wise man.

Having seen and followed Your star, I bring my gold, my treasure (family), my belongings, all that I am or have or ever will be or possess and, bowing down, I place them at your feet.  Any thing I have came from You anyway.  There is nothing of it that I desire beside You.  Please receive all I place here as my worship…

I am a wise man.

I bring my incense, pouring out my prayers and petitions to You.  And in love, like the love You have shown for me, I pour out my life for my family and friends.  And I ask You, from the deepest recesses of my heart,  to mend and repair relationships and bring healing for hurt, beauty for ashes, and rejoicing for mourning.  And may this prayer be true and not contrived and may it be pure and not for self-gain.  And may it be a sweet-smelling offering to You.

I am a wise man.

I carry Myrrh, the embalming oil.  And I fall face down with all I can muster, nothing in my hands but bondages of sin and death and my own feeble attempts to save myself, but I give it to You and You raise up the dangling-ring of the keys to death, hell and the grave, taken by force when you led captivity captive and set. me. free.  And in place of an oil that cannot heal the rips and scars on my nearly-fatally wounded soul, You pour a fresh oil on my head, a wild-ox anointing and my leaf is green  Forever-life is established and I am set free from the law of sin and death.  Forever.

I am.  the Nativity.

This came to me as a prayer just pouring from my heart yesterday morning upon waking.  May love and joy come to you these days leading to our Christ-mass-worship.  And may you comprehend your place in the story that began so long ago like you never have before. NOTE: I will try to go back soon and add scripture references.