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“This is how God showed His love among us: He sent His one and only Son into the world that we might live through Him.”
1 John 4:9 (NIV)

Seemed like such a good idea

I remember Christmas as a child. It was magical, or so I thought at the time. Sitting day-after-day leading up to Christmas Day, mesmerized in front of that beautiful tree.

My Christmas list that year included the newest Barbie car, a convertible, and I HAD to have it. I presented my list to my mother and explained why I must have that particular car. I fretted, worried. What if she didn’t understand my desperate need for that special car?

Timing it just right, a plan I had thought a lot about, I belly-crawled, making my way under that tree, pushing packages aside that did not have my name written on the pretty gift tags. There, as far as you could reach was the one that surely was the exact size of that Barbie car. I very carefully pulled the tape. No one but me would ever know what had transpired in those moments under that tree.

There it was! That most awesome Barbie convertible car. I was ecstatic, could barely contain my excitement. Replacing the tape, I backed carefully out from under that tree.

The strangest thing happened. I sat there, looking at that same tree and packages that held such fascination and anticipation just moments before, and felt the greatest disappointment. Disappointment like I had never felt before in my short seven years of life.

It seemed like such a good idea at the time, but it was a disappointment I have never forgotten.

Life may disappoint

Oh, if only our disappointments could have been left behind with those childhood memories or stayed completely in our own control.

When we take things in our own hands, many times we are disappointed.

The story of Hagar…

Remember Hagar, the servant of Sarah’s? God’s promise to Abraham involved a child being born to Sarah and Abraham. Sarah played a pretty big part in God’s plan. As Sarah became anxious for the fulfillment of God’s promise, she devised a plan of her own which required Hagar’s participation — willing or not.

God’s compassion towards Hagar…a situation out of her control

God sent an angel to Hagar.

The angel of the Lord said to her:

“You are now pregnant
and you will give birth to a son.
You shall name him Ishmael,
for the Lord has heard of your misery.”
Genesis 16:11 (NIV)

Hagar’s encounter with God — My God who sees me

El Roi

“She gave this name to the LORD who spoke to her: “You are the God who sees me,” for she said, “I have now seen the One who sees me.””
Genesis 16:13 (NIV)

My God whom I see

Many years have passed since that Christmas I journeyed underneath the tree. This Christmas, I sit alone, mesmerized by a tree covered with beautiful red cardinals. Where before I just thought of Christmas as a very magical season, I now know it is the most Spiritual of seasons. The heavenlies proclaim and praise the birth of our Savior, and the reality of His birth is felt here on this earth.

Little did we know

This season of widowhood was no choice of our own. Emotions familiar to those Hagar felt threaten to overwhelm us.

Little did we know the baby wrapped in swaddling clothes and placed in a manger would carry our grief and heal our broken hearts one day.

As sorrow begins to press down, close your eyes and feel our God who sees you…His very presence. See the only and beloved Son of God in that manger and realize all He is to us.

He is our Wonderful Counselor, our Mighty God, Everlasting Father,

Peace-giver and Bearer of our grief.

HE IS JESUS.

“That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked at and our hands have touched—this we proclaim concerning the Word of life.”
1 John 1:1 (NIV)

Dear Father God, little did we know all You gave to us in the birth of Your beloved Son, Jesus. May we remember — You are the God who see us, and we praise Your Name with grateful hearts that in this season we have truly seen You. Give peace and comfort in hurting hearts as only You can. Amen