Full of grace and truth
December 3, 2010 | My Jottings
Every year I vow to rebel against all the retail foolishness that happens this time of year, and I stay home as much as possible. I have a lot to do with our business and with loved ones, but I have never been a happy shopper, so staying out of the malls is no sacrifice for me. Some years I even achieve my goal of having all my (meager) shopping done, online, by November 30th, so I can enjoy the entire month of December. Quietly, peacefully, and pondering and soaking up what Christmas is about.
I’m putting my foot down again this year and I refuse to join the hordes. I’m staying home as much as I can, listening to sacred carols and paying attention to what the words mean for my soul, I’m going to do my tiny bit of shopping online, and I’m going to listen for that still small voice.
Several years ago a friend of mine was teaching a small group and I heard her say something that struck a deep chord in my heart and has stayed with me. She said that if our perception of Jesus Christ isn’t one that is full of grace and truth, then our perception of Him isn’t accurate.
I looked at the scripture that supports this, and am going to be meditating on this all month long.
The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us. We have seen His glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. John 1:14.
This time of year we celebrate that God Himself took on human form and came to live for a time on this beautiful but sorrowful sod called Earth. Jesus didn’t just come to see what taking on human flesh was like. It wasn’t a nice neighborly visit. He came to accomplish many things, like setting captives free, binding up the broken hearted, proclaiming good news to the poor, and to show us what God is like.
"Heaven's Loss" by Ron DiCianni
And if Jesus is full of grace and truth, then that means God is too. God is also holy and perfect and stunning in His glory and majesty – none of us could stand in His presence without help. His ways are inscrutable and His timing isn’t often to our liking, but He is full of grace and truth!
So, this whole month I will be pondering on the fact that Jesus is full of grace and truth, and how that should inform my life. If He is full of grace and truth and dwells within me, should I not also be full of grace and truth?
What do you think of when you hear the name Jesus?
If you need grace in your life (as I do) and if you are searching for truth (as I am), I know Someone who is full of grace and truth. Has anyone judged or condemned you? Have you been betrayed and lied to? Jesus is full of grace and truth.
As you go about your Christmas season activities, I humbly ask you to consider joining me in thinking on and praying about these two attributes of Christ.
Grace and truth. Grace and truth.
What could these mean to you?
I welcome and am blessed by your comments! Have a wonderful weekend….
Thanks, Julie. All we can know about God we learn through Jesus. Grace, the source of all we are and have. Truth, the endless path of understanding grace allows. Just when we think we have arrived, we find it’s only the beginning. For anyone to claim absolute understanding of anything is sheer arrogance. Come spring, when the snow is gone and I’m brave enough to come home, we’ll talk about these things.
I look forward to that Lloyd!
Julie: December is a nightmare of logistics for us. Of necessity we keep the celebration very, very simple. Star is rehearsing flat out for December concerts so I am hardly home at all ~ but His grace is sufficient for me & truth be told I’d rather we were doing this [which is our Christmas gift to others] than rushing round the malls frantically. We can always choose another day for gift giving & eating but we are tied to concert dates & that is that. I envy you being able to meditate instead of the madness but I am getting there. Another 2 years & the child is licensed to drive herself to these things. ?
Blessings on you and yours this season, Ganeida, as you celebrate in the way that is most meaningful to you and your family!
By His grace I live
By His grace I am forgiven
By His grace I have hope
By His grace I know emotions
By His grace I am blessed with Spiritual Prosperity
By His grace I am married and she loves Him as I do
By His grace my daughter lives for Him
By His grace I look forward to being with Him
By His grace I have no pain nor torment
By His grace I am not tormented but protected
By His grace I am forgiven when being so unworthy
By His grace I can give more than I receive
By His grace I feel and see and smell and sence that He is my Savior and Lord,
By His truth I am reminded of my walk
By His truth I am guided
By His truth I am given examples
By His truth I gain wisdom
By His truth I see more clearly
By His truth He is my reminder
By His truth He gives me a path to walk
By His grace and truth, He gives me peace untold and no fear of what is about me – in front of me or behind me
I like your plan for December. Sure sounds peaceful. Someday I’ll have to try it. Not that I’m a big shopper, but the best things to enjoy of the season don’t have much to do with stores.
Yes, Bob – I can’t imagine you combing the malls during the holidays….I picture you out walking in the woods, looking at the stars, skiing….you have always known how to deliberately engage and savor and live. 🙂 Thank you for reading!
There is such an immense peace and fulness in that passage from the gospel. x
Yes, Ember. I think I could ponder this verse for a year and still find joy in it.
To Larry: AMEN
A few years ago, I stumbled upon Advent Conspiracy’s website and their challenge is: Worship Fully, Spend Less, Give More, Love All. It rang true within and confirmed to my husband and I that we weren’t trekking down the wrong path in desiring to worship Jesus during this month, not materialism. Yes, I enjoy opening gifts, but the Lord gave us HIMSELF and so we base our gifts on Giving Presence of our time, presence, etc.
That, this morning, is grace and truth.
Thank you Shelley – I’m going to have to check out that website. So nice to read your comments, as always.