Inspired to capture the beauty and glory of Christmas, I picked up my camera, attempting to catch the light glistening off the red glass ornament hanging on my tree. Yet, when I looked at my photos, all I noticed was my image on the shiny ball.
Then I thought, isn’t that what Christmas is all about?
In the Old Testament the glory of God was to be feared and Moses put a veil over his face to hide from the glory.
Even the shepherds in the field were afraid when the glory of the Lord shone around them. In fact, they were ‘terrified’ (Luke 2:8-20). The angel told them not to be afraid but to go find the Christ child.
After they had seen the baby, “they returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen.”
Jesus is God’s glory revealed. Isaiah 40:5 says, “And the glory of the Lord will be revealed, and all mankind together will see it. For the mouth of the Lord has spoken.” This verse was used to compose one of the most beautiful and famous songs ever written.
“Whenever we turn to face God as Moses did, God removes the veil and there we are—face-to-face! We suddenly recognize that God is a living, personal presence, not a piece of chiseled stone. And when God is personally present, a living Spirit, that old, constricting legislation is recognized as obsolete. We're free of it! All of us! Nothing between us and God, our faces shining with the brightness of his face. And so we are transfigured much like the Messiah, our lives gradually becoming brighter and more beautiful as God enters our lives and we become like him.” 2 Cor. 3:16-18. MSG
We see God when we see Jesus. The world sees Jesus when God is glorified in our lives.
Just as my image is reflected off the glass ornament on my tree, so I pray my face reflects the glory of Christ.
In Joining Ann at A Holy Experience, I thank God He has revealed his Glory through his Son. I thank him that even though I fail time after time and his glory is not revealed through my life, that He keeps forgiving me and working with me, helping me to come to the place where I am glorifying Him. I thank him for his mercy and grace. And I thank him for brightly colored bulbs on my Christmas tree that teach me lessons about His love.
In Joining Ann at A Holy Experience, I thank God He has revealed his Glory through his Son. I thank him that even though I fail time after time and his glory is not revealed through my life, that He keeps forgiving me and working with me, helping me to come to the place where I am glorifying Him. I thank him for his mercy and grace. And I thank him for brightly colored bulbs on my Christmas tree that teach me lessons about His love.
What a wonderful post. I pray a blessing for you and your family this Christmas season. Let me wish you a Merry Christmas now, in case I don't get to visit again soon.
ReplyDeleteThis is a wonderful post, Shanda! It's good to know that in a world of uncertainty and worry, that we can find people who glorifies God and we can see the light of Christ shining through them like a beacon in the night.
ReplyDeleteWe are Jesus' hands and feet here on earth, our lives are a sermon and an example.
ReplyDeleteThe music is beautiful! And yes we are to glorify Him while we are here on this earth. May we be submitted and obedient to allow Him to work in us and through us to impact others.
ReplyDeleteBlessings and love,
Debbie
What a great theme....reflecting God in us!! But also what a great responsibility and calling! I'm sooooo glad, too, that even though we do fail, He is a forgiving God!!
ReplyDeleteAnd I thank God for you, and your post. Exactly what I need this Monday morning. A blessing. And may your day be so blessed.
ReplyDeleteI like this presentation of the Hallelujah Chorus better: http://zemeks.blogspot.com/2011/11/unique-presentation-of-hallelujah.html
ReplyDeleteThank you for a beautiful reminder to seek God, so that His glory will shine in our lives! Loved the video.
ReplyDeleteShanda, a beautiful illustration. May you continue to reflect Him.
ReplyDeleteYes, a great reminder to shine our light -- His light -- for all to see!
ReplyDeleteBlessings, Joan
Here's another one...
ReplyDeleteArise, shine, for your light has come,
and the glory of the Lord rises upon you.
See, the darkness covers the earth
and thick darkness is over the peoples,
but the Lord rises upon you and His glory appears over you.--Isaiah 60:1-2
God is beautiful and He has made us beautiful.
Hallelujah!
I love Handel's Messiah. Gorgeous. And I love seeing that little peek of you in the Christmas ball! You look so much like your Father :).
ReplyDeleteThank you for this reminder to allow His light to shine through me so that I might reflect His glory!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for this. What a beautiful reminder to seek His face!
ReplyDeleteThis was a lovely post. I loved the picture with your reflection. I enjoyed the scriptures and was uplifted by this post.
ReplyDeleteBlessings toyou and keep on enjoying the moments of this Christmas Season.
What a great devotional... The Lords light shines among his people... a beautiful sentiment of truth. God Bless!
ReplyDeleteAmen! This is what the season is all about. it's all about Jesus!
ReplyDeleteI love this post, your image see in the ornament. Isn't it fun how every day experiences turn into devotions?
ReplyDeleteShanda, I love this post. Yesterday at church our team fanned out in the worship center of our church so the body could pray for us before we leave for Haiti in a couple of days. They asked what they could pray for, I wish I had said "to be a reflection of Christ." Will you pray that for me, my friend?
ReplyDeleteI didn't even notice your reflection at first. What a neat photo and yes, to be the reflection of Christ is my every day prayer. Make it so Lord!
ReplyDeleteHe teaches us lessons in the gentlest of ways.
ReplyDeleteLove the song -- I sang it way to many years ago in our highschool choir.
Such a lovely post.
ReplyDeleteHi Shanda - I love that analogy, and the picture of the decorations with you in it! I too want my face to reflect the glory of God. Great post Shanda
ReplyDeleteGod bless
Tracy
Ah Shanda..your face does shine God's glory!
ReplyDeleteIt's the family resemblace you know :-)
Thanks so much for linking this lovely post to LACE this week.
I truly enjoyed your thoughts.
love in Jesus..Trish
Wonderful post Shanda! I love your reflection in the Christmas ball. Even though I have not me you in person, I can see Christ shining through you from the words you share on your blog! Have a Merry Christmas my sister in Christ!
ReplyDeleteBe Blessed!
I long for the day that we see face to face . . . but grateful for the reflection now.
ReplyDeletefondly,
Glenda
Hello Shanda,
ReplyDeleteI like your reflection in the bauble. I love Christmas and the celebration of God's Love.
God Bless
Barb from Australia
This is an amazing analogy, and I would absolutely love to have you link up with me today as my Photo Scavenger Hunt prompt is ornament...won't you please consider? People need to read this post about reflection...
ReplyDeleteI love that Handel's Messiah... Merry Christmas!
ReplyDeleteI pray for much success as your book is purchased and studied by those desiring an closer walk with Jesus. Your profits going to a worthy cause is also revealing that you have a heart that gives and gives and gives.
ReplyDeleteWe just covered some of this in our Sunday School class this morning! I hope that I am a good reflection of Him! "Nothing between us and God, our faces shining with the brightness of his face."
ReplyDelete