Wooden Blocks

On top of my Hoosier cabinet, there are wooden blocks that spell a word.
The word is, BELIEVE.
I thought about those blocks as I was sitting at the kitchen table.
I don’t remember where I even purchased them; they seem to have been around forever.

Believe in what?
What is it you believe in at Christmas time?
The object of your belief tells you a lot about yourself.
The object of your belief tells you a lot about your worldview.

There are many trimmings at Christmas time.
Those trimmings are not only found on the tree.
Those trimmings are the things we surround ourselves with this time of year.
How do we spend our Advent?

Are we so eager to pack up our decorations and move on to the next thing?
Do we practice the joy of Christmastide, which are the twelve days after Christmas?
Do we linger in our celebrations?
Do we sing and worship the newborn King?

What you believe in at Christmas sets the tone for your entire liturgical year.
The baby born at Christmas is Jesus, the Son of God.
Jesus is the Word.
Jesus is the Light of the world.

How we need Jesus, the Word.
How we need Jesus, the Light of the world to push back the darkness.
How we need Jesus who was born just like us but without sin.
How we need Jesus, who is God, showing us the way back to His Father and our Father.

The people walking in darkness
    have seen a great light;
on those living in the land of deep darkness
    a light has dawned.
You have enlarged the nation
    and increased their joy;
they rejoice before you
    as people rejoice at the harvest,
as warriors rejoice
    when dividing the plunder.
For as in the day of Midian’s defeat,
    you have shattered
the yoke that burdens them,
    the bar across their shoulders,
    the rod of their oppressor.
Every warrior’s boot used in battle
    and every garment rolled in blood
will be destined for burning,
    will be fuel for the fire.
For to us a child is born,
    to us a son is given,
    and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called
    Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
    Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Of the greatness of his government and peace
    there will be no end.
He will reign on David’s throne
    and over his kingdom,
establishing and upholding it
    with justice and righteousness
    from that time on and forever.
The zeal of the Lord Almighty
    will accomplish this.
(Isaiah 9:2-7)

I have been pondering Isaiah’s prophecy throughout this Advent season.
Amidst the darkness and the turmoil, there is Hope.
Amidst the talk of warriors, and plunder, and oppressors, there is an Answer.
A child is born, a son is given.

The wolf will live with the lamb,
    the leopard will lie down with the goat,
the calf and the lion and the yearling together;
    and a little child will lead them. (Isaiah 11:6)

A little child will lead them.
A child who is King; a King who was born in a stable and slept in a cattle trough.
Not the type of king the people expected to defeat the Roman oppressors.
Rather, a King who came to save the lost.

Do you believe that this baby Jesus is the Son of God?
Do you believe that Jesus grew into a man whose Kingdom is now and not yet?
Do you believe that Jesus died on the cross and rose again for your sins?
Do you believe in Jesus alone for your salvation?

Do you believe that Jesus is fully man and fully God?
Do you believe that Jesus came once and will come back again?
Do you believe that every word Jesus said is true?
Do you believe on Jesus?

It matters what you believe in.
It matters Who you believe on.
It matters.
My wooden blocks remind me.

Believe.