God’s Perfect Plan
Like nearly every decoration in my house, there is an object lesson just waiting to jump into a visitor’s understanding. This year, my hearth has a trio of large decorations. Behind my decorating scheme is God’s wonderful of plan for mankind. The scene reveals a sequence God put in place to bring humanity to Him.
The first large item on the left is the Holy Family snuggled together. The lights around them illuminate the trio. Mary and Joseph are the ‘shining’ examples of what it means to listen and follow God’s voice.
The baby Jesus – oh, my! God incarnate from ages past. John 1:1-4 TLB says it plainly. ‘Before anything else existed, there was Christ, with God. He has always been alive and is Himself God. He created everything there is – nothing exists that He didn’t make. Eternal life is in Him, and this life gives light to all mankind.’ These lights on the ledge soothe my soul as I take time to rest and enjoy the season. As I reflect on His light, I know He guides my way, showing what I should do to draw closer to Him.
And Jesus, God’s Son who came as a helpless infant, grew to fulfill the Father’s plan. It was a path of suffering and sacrifice that would reconcile sinful people to God. In our humanity, we struggle with God’s reasoning, but He set the stage from before the beginning of earth’s history. Why was Jesus’ lot in life so hard? 1 John 2:2 TLB ‘He is the One who took God’s wrath against our sins upon Himself and brought us into fellowship with God: and He is the forgiveness for our sins, and not only ours but all the world’s.’ And perhaps the most famous verses ever in John 3:16-17 TLB. ‘For God loved the world so much that He gave His only Son so that anyone who believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life. God did not send His Son into the world to condemn it, but to save it.’
The next decoration is symbolic of that love – a cross. What the world deemed a painful, grueling, humiliating death for a wicked person, believers in Christ see the ultimate display of God’s love. Yes, Jesus suffered horribly, but the meaning of ‘crucifixion’ morphed into something we treasure, knowing Jesus gave His all. 1 Peter 3;18 TLB ‘Christ also suffered. He died once for the sins of all us guilty sinners although He Himself was innocent of any sin at any time, that He might bring us safely home to God. But though His body died, His spirit lived on.’
Cliff Notes gives an interesting fact about Medieval thinkers. I think I would have fit right in! (And sometimes, I feel that old!) Apparently they thought everything reflected the mind of God in one way or the other. By seeing His hand in all things, the people of that time thought they could come closer to understanding God’s nature.
Therefore, I have one of my favorite, extra-Biblical symbols displayed. The peacock sports my favored colors – blue and green. What’s not to like?
Can you guess what the old guys thought the peacock symbolized? Beginning in the early days of Christianity, the people assigned Christ’s resurrection and the eternal life available through belief in Him to this regal bird.
So, my Christmas array presents the greatest story ever, God’s chronicle of His Perfect Plan. I pray we will all take time this season to dwell on God’s love displayed.
Blessings,
KB
