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12 Pearls of Christmas: Fulfilled

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Friday, December 11, 2009

12 Pearls of Christmas: Fulfilled


Hello - I'm thrilled to announce a Christmas series that we'll be running a series here on Pearl Girls titled 12 Pearls of Christmas! We've lined up several authors to share their Christmas "Pearls of Wisdom"! Please follow along beginning Sunday the 13th through Christmas day as Melody Carlson, Mary DeMuth, Holley Gerth, Tricia Goyer, Maureen Lang, Susan May Warren and more share their heartfelt stories of how God has touched their life during this most wonderful time of the year.

We are also providing this series as free content for your own blogs (as 12 html posts) - if you'd like to share the 12 Pearls of Christmas with you blog readers email (amy@litfusegroup.com) and she'll send you the content.

AND BEST OF ALL ... there's also a giveaway!!!! Leave a comment on this post or any of the following 12 Pearls of Christmas posts to be entered to win a THREE STRAND PEARL NECKLACE! The winner will be announced on New Year's Day! Pearls - a tangible reminder of God's grace to us all.

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FULFILLED IN CHRIST
by Jen Smidt

This is without a doubt my favorite time of year. I love everything about it: glowing lights, fragrant trees, cheerful carols and cherished memories. One special Christmas memory and a song lyric add a depth of worship and gratitude that I will treasure in my heart forever.

Thirteen years ago, when I gave birth to my firstborn son - the staggering reality of what exactly Jesus offered to us in the gift of Himself became most tangible. As I held my newborn baby boy in the Christmas candlelight, tears flowed as I tried to comprehend that my Great and Glorious God took on this frail, infantile form for me. Never before had I truly understood the magnitude and humility of His incarnation. As if occupying a small, utterly dependent body of flesh wasn't enough, He ordained that His first place of rest be in a dirty feed trough. Why there? God could have chosen anywhere to rest His tiny head...and then the song playing on the stereo pierced my heart with a moment of clarity: That dirty manger is my heart too...

Jeremiah 17:9 says, "the heart is deceitful above all things and desperately sick; who can understand it?"

Jesus can.

God chose to have His Son enter the world in a stable and be laid in a filthy slop trough so we could know that our sinful hearts are not too lowly of a place for Him to occupy. He understands so much that He was willing to be lain in that rough and smelly receptacle so we could begin to understand His love for us. Understand that He desires to indwell our dirty hearts and make them pure and clean.

As His chosen children, we are given the gift of Jesus - we are now IN HIM.

Galatians 2:20 it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me

Ephesians 2:13 But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.

Celebrate! Party! Worship and Adore Him during this Christmas season. We have been brought near and the trough of our soul has been cleansed and filled with the most precious of gifts - the Righteousness of that Baby boy born in Bethlehem.

Fulfilled in Christ

Luke 2:7 she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger...

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Jen Smidt is a 16 year veteran of redemptive marriage to Phil and a 13 year veteran of sanctifying mothering of Jake, Nate and Ellie. Writing, teaching and revealing her ongoing need for Christ keep her humble. Find more of her encouragement on her blog Recognizing Jesus.

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posted by Margaret McSweeney @ 6:00 AM

7 Comments:

At December 11, 2009 4:53 PM , Blogger Missy Frye said...

That was simply beautiful.

 
At December 11, 2009 6:57 PM , Anonymous Kerry Schei said...

You continue to amaze and inspire me. I am proud to say I know you, Jen and am learning more about you and Him as time goes by.

 
At December 11, 2009 11:57 PM , Blogger Carla Gade said...

A lovely devotional. Thank you!

 
At December 12, 2009 12:41 AM , Blogger Editor said...

Thank you for this very insightful and humbling devotional. Thank you to our wonderful Lord for His precious gift!!

 
At December 12, 2009 1:41 AM , Anonymous mli said...

"the trough of our soul has been cleansed and filled with the most precious of gifts - the Righteousness of that Baby boy born in Bethlehem"

good words sister, good words.

 
At December 14, 2009 3:29 PM , Blogger LV said...

Absolutely beautiful!

 
At December 15, 2009 7:53 PM , Blogger Stacie said...

Please count me in.

simplystacieblog at gmail dot com

 

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