The Rugged Pacific Northwest…. I enjoy its numerous fir trees, its lush landscape, and its crisp, clean air. I imagine myself living up in Seattle or Portland, basking in God's creation, and connecting with His people. What I CAN'T ENVISION is surviving numerous days of rain, cloudy skies, and overall gloomy weather. I forget that the lush landscape that I love is due to incessant months of "crying skies". In the short span of two weeks, sunny, southern California became very much like Seattle as we received as much rain in that time as what we will need year round. Celebrating the holidays became a bit of a challenge as I was hesitant to embark onto flooded streets to prepare for Christmas, was leery of strolling past neighborhoods glistening with Christmas lights, and was procrastinating on writing annual Christmas cards to friends and family. All I desired to do was curl up in a ball, listen to the pounding of the rain on my rooftop, and wait for the storm to pass.
I assume that this was what the world was doing at the time of Christ's birth…waiting, longing, and even groaning (as seen in Romans 8:22) for the coming arrival of its King. In the bleakness of night, Christ came to save US, to deliver us from darkness, and to bring us into abundant life. The writer of the classic Christmas carol, "Ol' Little Town of Bethlehem", summed it up with this penetrating lyric, "the HOPES and FEARS of ALL the years are met in THEE tonight." I have never dwelt much on the topic of fear and its correlation to Christmas. I realize that the insecurities and anxieties that plague my life on a daily basis are meant to be transformed into hopeful confidence and purpose because of the humble birth of Christ. Who could have imagined that one seemingly small incident in Israel could have impacted the world so profoundly?...All while the world was still, bleak, and silent.
Today as I bask in clear sunshine and gaze upon snow covered mountains, I anticipate the coming storms in both my physical and emotional worlds. More rain and flooding are headed into our forecast and I know that more of life's challenges are traveling in my direction. Though my first inclination is to run and hide under a familiar blanket, Christ's birth compels me to face my situations with strength and fortitude. As a familiar quote states, "Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass, it is about learning to dance in the rain." May I continue to take dancing lessons from the true instructor, Jesus, and to develop my own unique routine, though rain drops fall and as storm clouds loom.
