Lakemount Blog

One of the joys of Christmas is the saturation of the air waves with the music of the season. I have found myself humming along as I have picked up the extra milk at the grocery store, waited in the line at the check-out for the great pre-Christmas sales and walked through the mall looking for the kiosk where I might purchase a gift card.

 I love the bouncy rhythms of the Caribbean style carols and the winter songs but yesterday, as I sat for a coffee in the Food Court, I began to sense afresh the nearness of the one whose birth we are celebrating. The old, familiar, repeatedly dramatized words of Away in a Manger, originally published in 1885, came tumbling from my lips.

 Hidden amidst the din of frantic shoppers and tired pre-schoolers, I began to sing

I love Thee, Lord Jesus
Look down from the sky                            
And stay by my side,
Until morning is nigh.

 Bless all the dear children
In Thy tender care
And take us to heaven
To live with Thee there

 Suddenly I was overwhelmed with the thought of what it would be like if HE were not near. How could I ever face a day without knowing His awesome presence? I remembered the call of James 4:8 Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.  I recalled that just last week I had seen, in the 73^rd Psalm, how being in the presence of God helps us to bring our struggles into perspective. The psalmist discovers that nearness with God is his strength. He writes, “…I am continually with You … You will guide me, and afterward receive me to glory. Whom have I in heaven but You? And besides You, I desire nothing on earth … God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever” (vv. 23-26).

 Francis Frangipane, in a recent email release says this ‘…the strength of our walk does not originate from within ourselves; rather it comes from our relationship with Christ. Our virtue, if it can be defined as such, is that we have learned to prioritize seeking God; our character is the offspring of our oneness with Jesus. By this I mean, Jesus is not only first on our list of priorities; His influence rules over all our priorities. He inspires love in our relationships; His voice becomes the conviction in our integrity. God has made “Christ Jesus” to be to us “wisdom … and righteousness and sanctification, and redemption” (1 Cor. 1:30).’

 Lord, this day I acknowledge my most amazing times are those spent near to You. When my heart is near to You, I am partaking of the nectar of life. Be near me Lord Jesus, I ask Thee to stay….

Ruth Teakle