I received this today and wanted to share it with you.
"Christmas in Heaven" Harvest Weekend Devotion for 12/24/2011
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Merry Christmas to all of you!
Christmas is a day of joy. But for me and my family, it is also tinged
with sadness, because it is a day when Christopher's absence is
intensely felt.
I have to tell you, Topher loved Christmas! It was always a big deal
to him as a little boy, and when he became a father, he wanted it to
be a big deal for his daughters. He always was so thoughtful in his
choice of gifts and often made them by hand, which was always a
special treat for me. He also had fantastic "wrapping skills," which I
am completely devoid of.
On that first Christmas night, while the shepherds kept watch over
their flocks, the angel brought this good news: "Do not be afraid, for
behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all
people" (Luke 2:10).
This is how heaven celebrated the first Christmas. On this holy night,
in effect, heaven momentarily came to earth. Heaven and earth are
always co-existing, but sometimes they can seem worlds apart and other
times separated by only a thin veil. When tragedy hits, when illness
prevails, heaven can sometimes seem distant.
But when we join the angels in worship, and see God in His greatness,
heaven can seem so very, very close. For us as believers, we are just
a heartbeat away from heaven right now. As David put it, "There is but
a step between me and death" (1 Samuel 20:3).
Christmas in heaven is better than Christmas on earth. It is pure
bliss. Not twinkling lights, but the radiant light of heaven itself.
Not metal angels on trees, but real, holy angels of God all around.
You see, in heaven there is peace. On earth there is war. In heaven
there is perfect harmony. On earth there is often friction among
family and friends. In heaven, feasting and perfection. On earth there
is fattening food and expanding waistlines.
We don't need to sorrow for our loved ones who are celebrating
Christmas in heaven, but we do sorrow for ourselves over their
absence.
Today, however, remember to let the ones on earth you love know it.
Tell them verbally. Because you never know if you or I or someone we
hold dear might be in heaven next Christmas.
So have a blessed and merry Christmas day.
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