Each year, Sandy chooses a word or phrase that serves as a theme for our holiday season. This year’s word is “merry.” In years’ past, she has displayed “gather” as well as “joy” and “merry and bright” on dishes, pillows, and mementos around the house. One year we basked in “comfort and joy.” I love this tradition. These catchwords and catchphrases are short, relatable, and, yes…incarnational.
The world (much of it, at least) outside our humble little cottage also brands the season by trading greetings that are brought out and dusted off this time of year:
“Merry Christmas.”
“Season’s greetings.”
“Happy holidays.”
”Joyeux Nöel.”
Accordingly, this Holy Advent, I have been struck by the generosity and wonder of another pair of words:
“My people.”
Comfort, comfort my people,”
Isaiah 40:1
says your God.
God, the Eternal, Wholly Other, Transcendent, Invisible, Uncreated, Ageless, Divine Creator and Ruler wants it published near and far that He is not too proud to invoke possessive pronouns when referring to us.
My tribe.
My kind of folk.
My home.
When you love someone, don’t you want to be around them? Spend as much time with them as you possibly can? One of the all-time favorite feel-good Christmas standards is the song “I’ll be home for Christmas.” We swoon to that song because it reminds us of people we want near, those whom we love and miss and cannot wait to see.
The nativity story leaves a prominent trail of breadcrumbs that point to just how much God wants to be near us. The Lord appealed to Joseph through his dreams. Angel Gabriel brought big news to a poorly adolescent girl. A holy choir of angels appeared in the visible sky before an audience of lowly shepherds. The Magi were given a very specific roadmap to visit the infant Messiah. God is personable, reachable, and knowable.
The word that startled the slumbering world on that first Christmas was “Emmanuel.” God with us. You can’t get away from the theme…it’s shot all through the nativity story and beyond. (I mean, must we look any further than a Messiah on a cross who looks at His best friend and tells John to take care of His mama when He’s gone?) And that’s how the Almighty Father has planned it. From Mary’s dramatic assent to offering the womb that would carry the Babe of Bethlehem to His taking on human flesh and being swaddled in earthly vestments, the divine imprint upon humankind has taken hold.
As it also says in Hosea,
I will call Not My People, My People,
and she who is Unloved, Beloved.
And it will be in the place where they were told,
you are not my people,
there they will be called sons of the living God.
Romans 9:25,26
The Lord could have called us “subjects” or “bots” or “playthings.” Pets. We could be nothing more than experiments or throwaways to His almightiness. If we didn’t know better, He might be inclined to turn His magnifying glass on our pathetic beingness and take sadistic pleasure in burning us to cinder like ants. But no.
A God who weeps with us, sings over us (like Mary undoubtedly did as she cradled the Christ Child), who covers us with His wings, keeps His promises to us, prays for us, and speaks to us in our dialect, is the God revealed to us in the scriptures. He’s a people Person.
So, this Advent, may God’s “My people” hit you like it hits me and stir inside you the merriment that you are God’s kind of people, proven in the incarnation and His abiding Presence within.
If I may, I’d love to share with you some exciting news. As I intimated in the last post (over five months ago), I have been working on a manuscript, Though He Fall, that has been, technically, over 40 years in the works. I’m pleased to let you know it will be ready to order in the next few days (paperback version only for now). Keep your eye on my blog site for a follow-up post soon which will detail the when and where of the book and how you can order.
Thank you, beloved. You each have been an invaluable part of my journey, and I’m so happy I could share my news with you first. You are my tribe, my people.
Merry Christmas, people of God!
Merry Christmas and I look forward to reading your book!
Thank you, Darlene! Merry Christmas to you and yours, and may His Light shine brightly over you.
Thank you for sharing. It bought tears to my eyes. I hope you get back West Huntsville Baptist Church soon
That touches my heart, Sonya. Thank you for reading, and Merry Christmas! I hope we get to see y’all in the new year!
How wonderful to read your devotional thoughts!
We are truly blessed to know the Hope that is within us , that sustains us and guides us each day!
This verse came to my mind immediately upon reading your book title: Psalm 37:24 “Though he falls, he will not be overwhelmed, because the Lord supports him with his hand.” Yes, I will be excited to get a copy! Lifting you both up in prayer as I know this time of the year brings memories that are bittersweet. May the Lord give sustaining grace, hope and peace this Christmas season and into the New Year! Looking for our Blessed Hope -Jesus and His return! Much love to you and Sandy.
You are such a beautiful friend, Beth! The Father above is gracious to share His life in you with us. Thank you for these words of grace and the kindness of your comfort in this time for us as we still grieve and miss our Graham. I’m excited for you to read this book that, yes, is based on the very scripture you referenced! Merry Christmas love to you and your family!
Ordered 3 copies today of the book!! May many be blessed and encouraged immensely by your story.
I can’t thank you enough times for getting behind this and amplifying God’s goodness in trials with these purchases Beth. I’m greatly humbled and grateful!
I finished the book and how vividly it brought back the memories at TTU. Praise the Lord for His amazing grace sufficient for our every trial, need and care! I highly recommend reading it.
My heart rejoices, Beth! Thank you for the kind words and your recommendation which means the world to me. God bless you and your family in the new year, dear friend.
Valuable words. Good to hear from you and Merry Christmas.
Merry Christmas, Jon. Think of you all the time!
Merry blessed Christmas and may our Lord pour HIS blessings upon you. I love your blogs!
Aww, Jan, dear, thank you for being such a loyal friend and subscriber! Merry Christmas to you and yours.
Can’t wait for the book!!!!
So excited!
Merry Christmas! Love your words!
Thank you for praying me through to the end of this long process, Debra…Merry merry Christmas!
Can’t wait!!
Thank you, April! Merry Christmas!
So thankful to be part of the family by God’s grace. Merry Christmas to you both. Our love to you always and forever. B&B
Sending love to y’all this Christmas season and into the new year! Hey, you’re in the book, bro! Merry Christmas with love!
I love this! I love the idea of a Christmas phrase… word… to soak in all through the holiday season! “My people.”.. ahh… doesn’t that just wash over you!!? So grateful to be HIS people with you and Sandy! SO, SO excited about your book! So proud of you for getting your story in print for the encouragement of… “HIS people.” We need your story! Merry Christmas!
Thank you, dear one. I’m truly grateful this season and every day for your friendship and importance in my life. Sandy and I love the Penn family dearly and pray for the Lord’s Presence to dazzle you in new ways and surround you with His good favor! Much love always, Kelli!
May God bring you on this holiday season comfort, peace, love and joy. Keeping you and your wife in my prayers. Dan
Praise God! Thank you, Dan, and the merriest of Christmas to you and your family. Sandy and I are grateful to know you.