As this Christmas time is upon us this early Thursday morning, there is excitement in the air. This morning I will be singing at the funeral of a lady, 89 years of age, I have never met but what an honor to be asked to be part of her celebration of her home going! Her name is Mary. My mother's name was Mary and had my mother lived, she would be 89 as well. But the real common bond between these two ladies and me is that we share a common name in a fallen world and that name is Christian! Every time I am asked to sing for a funeral, I find myself so humbled by that. I always get to the funeral early so I can watch those that pay their respects and find ways to talk with the family but especially the eldest child if they are there. I love to ask the question, "what is the one word you would use to describe your mom / dad?" That term becomes a beacon in a dark night of the loss of a person that made their life what it is today for that is what parents do; they give direction and light to a pathway, the pathway of life.
When I got the call yesterday about the funeral singing this morning, I had two of my grand kids with me for a second day in a row. When I hung up the phone, I gathered them both into my arms to just hold them and tell them how much I loved them for what a blessing to have these young minds and bodies be such a part of my life. As I approach sixty-four years old in a few weeks, the precious nature of life is made sweeter at the passing of another, at the words and expressions of my grand kids, at the excitement I still find in readying for a new semester, at watching my wife busy herself in making Christmas a time of near perfection for all of us. A name above all names; that is my Jesus and it is that celebration of His birth that gives us this time to stop, reflect, celebrate and enjoy those we love, respect and admire.
Most of us have seen the Griswold's CHRISTMAS VACATION movie a million times and each year I know my wife wishes I could be more like Clark in his bumbling exuberance but, well, I am not. But what most do not realize is that I do get quietly excited, giddy and tearful at the blessing of this time of year. Normally my life is filled with music and no more so than this year and I love that for music soothes me, elevates me, takes me to that place I could otherwise not get to. But then, when I least expect it, the anger, frustration and angst of my many childhood Christmases creep into my mind and I have to do something to remove the feelings that are reflected in my memory bank. I am not whining please know for I detest whining.
There is far too much commercialization of this special time yes and especially this year I have had this tugging in my heart that next year I want to take the money we expend on Christmas and provide a special Christmas for a family not so fortunate as we; never had that tugging before! Guess it is the age thing! Or maybe it is the real essence of what Christmas is and should be for those of us that proclaim Christ as our Lord and Savior! Yes, I like that option best.
I would challenge each of you to take a few moments and determine what Name best describes you as this holiday period begins its unfolding. I can tell you mine now; HUMBLED! This is such a humbling time for me for I realize how truly unworthy I am to have so much in materials things, security, health and a family that is close, loves each other and we all love the Lord. I will end this with the lyrics of a great song, not a Christmas song, but entitled TREASURES UNSEEN. I have included the link so you can watch Greater Vision sing this great song. Let the message of this song warm your heart as it does mine.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uKNgXI29pJI
TREASURES UNSEEN
MY HOME MAY NOT LOOK LIKE A CASTLE
AND MY CLOTHES MAY BE LACKING IN STYLE
AND IF YOU COME SIT AT MY TABLE
A MEAGER SUPPLY YOU MIGHT FIND
BUT OH, IT’S NOT WHAT YOU SEE
THAT MAKES ME A KING, MAKES ME A KING
FOR TO ME I HAVE EVERYTHING
ALL THAT I NEED
ALL THAT I NEED
TREASURES UNSEEN
NOW GOD MADE A WORLD FILLED WITH BEAUTY
OF THINGS WE ENJOY EVERY DAY
MY SECRET TO HIDDEN POSSESSIONS
IS TO LOVE HIM AND SERVE HIM EACH DAY
BUT OH, IT’S NOT WHAT YOU SEE
THAT MAKES ME A KING, MAKES ME A KING
FOR TO ME I HAVE EVERYTHING
ALL THAT I NEED
ALL THAT I NEED
TREASURES UNSEEN
FOR TO ME I HAVE EVERYTHING
ALL THAT I NEED
ALL THAT I NEED
I'VE TREASURES UNSEEN
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