ALL DRESSED UP

“You lifted him high and bright as a cumulus cloud, then dressed him in rainbow colours. You pile blessings on him; you make him glad when you smile. Is it any wonder the king loves God? That he’s sticking with the best?” Psalm 21:5-7 (MSG).

Growing as a child in poverty stricken Africa, one of the things that signalled the coming of Christmas, apart from the dry dusty winds of the harmattan, was the sound of carols and the beautiful decorations that came up in every home. But all of these paled into insignificance in expectation for our Christmas Dress. The Christmas outfit was always the most expected and most anticipated Christmas item. Without it, everything else would be a gloomy shadow of Christmas. What was it that made this particular dress so special; even if a few days later, the magic of the cloth would have evaporated?

The Christmas cloth symbolized the love of our parents for us, and their desire that we don’t look shabby on the most important day in the calendar. That is exactly what David describes in the passage above. God dresses us up in rainbow colours. Even Joseph’s coat of many colours does not compare in the faintest way to the beauty of what God has dressed you with this season.

God dresses us up not just for Christians but for our roles in life. Our robes don’t look alike but they definitely are not drab. Some robes may appear unappealing like the infertility of Elizabeth, some robes may appear stained like the doubt of Zechariah, or the sorrow of Anna; others may be completely stainless like that of favoured virgin Mary. Some robes are just plain ordinary work cloths like those of the shepherds who stayed in the field late that night to feed their flock. Some robes are not-so-ordinary work cloths, they are the specialists and leaders in science, government, religion. Some robes are coloured in hope and expectation like Simeon’s and some robes are to remain almost unseen and anonymous like Joseph’s.

Satan hands out robes too to the unsuspecting. Herod got a robe of hatred, the religious leaders got robes of complacency and most people today will get robes of commercialization and nonchalance.

The most amazing Christmas cloth that first Christ mas was this: God, creator of heaven and earth, the bright image of His majesty, took on a Christmas cloth that is most baffling. It is not the “swaddling clothes” in the manger but the cloth of death!

“Since the children are made of flesh and blood, it’s logical that the saviour took on flesh and blood in order to rescue them by his death. By embracing death, taking it into himself, he destroyed the Devil’s hold on death and freed all who cower through life, scared to death of death” Heb. 2:14-15.

God came dressed up in in humanity that humans could be like God. Have you got Christmas cloth? Are you dressed up like God yet? Is your God-cloth stained? Are you holding strongly to your cloth of humanity? This is the right time to check up on your dressing. The Christmas family reunion is coming and only those properly dressed will be allowed in (Matt. 22:8-14).

Prayer: God help me stay properly dressed in my spirit and conformable to your image today and always. I exchange my garment of fear, pride, failure, hatred etc., for your garment of love and righteousness. In Jesus Name. Amen.

#GOD COLOURS; TRUE COLOURS (A Deep Words Devotional Material)

#Celebrating the Second Anniversary of a great vision through the visionary, Aleele Paago.

***Please share with others and let it bless them as it blessed you***

Stay blessed.

©TRANSFORMING WORDS SERIES
(Transforming the World through the Word)

Also visit http://www.christapoet.wordpress.com every Monday to read your favourite TWS alongside poems from great poets.

THE REASON FOR THE SEASON

The frenzy. Fun. The lights. Soft carols. Shopping. Gifts. Family. Friends. Neighbours. Time. Beggars. Less privileged. Rewards. Rest. Love…

 

There are a million reasons why people look forward to the yuletide, and every one of them is legitimate, some more so than others. We did not miss it or forget it, we only saved it for the last. Jesus! He is the ultimate reason for the season. Or is He?

 

Donkey. Camel. Wearied bones. Dusty lanes. Frayed nerves. Is there a room upstairs? “No room!” Callous. “How much can you afford?” Greed. Self-interest. Rejection. Backyard. Cow dung? Sheep stall. “No. Please not there.” Unhygienic. More rejection. “Please help!” “You have to hold on.” “I am trying!” Panic! Ah! My water is broken! More panic. Joseeeeph! Manger. Hay. Straw. Smile. Swaddling clothes…Baaaby!

 

He it was angels gathered to watch in anxious anticipation as the young mother struggled unassisted in the pangs of labour. He it was nature could not help but celebrate bursting out with never-before-seen-star! This star was so unique, wise men decided it was not just enough to see it; they will have to trace its trajectory and origin and worship.

 

Adore! Worship! Lamb. Myrrh. Frankincense. Gold! He is the King. The inexperienced parents may not have known it but He was carefully in charge of the day even from the womb. You may not always know it either. But He still remains I charge still invisible like that first day. Man’s greed or callousness can’t control the decision of the King. The horde of Hades may have tried to close the doors, but they just could not and still cannot. It was all part of the grand design, it was all for good. For one reason…

 

No! Not one reason. 7 billion reasons! He was not coming just for the rich and wealthy Warren Buffets and Bill Gates. He was not coming just for the Herods and Obamas and Buharis and Camerons. He was not coming just for NASA to detect His star. He was coming for Haruna, Philomena, Emeka, Margaret, Cristopher, Dule, Shehu, Charles, Funmi, Abdulahi, Preye, Deborah, Amina, Ekpenyong, Ada, Yinka and …………………..(please put your name here).

 

Yes your king is coming for you. You are the reason The Reason for The Season came. He may not come in pomp and pageantry, there may not be any displays of fireworks, and no grand orchestra may herald His presence. But the King is coming! Indeed He has come.

 

Hope. Happiness. Jump for joy. Dance! Rejoice! Ecstasy. Wait. Silence. Quiet calm…

 

Listen carefully… Alafia! Amani! Emem! Feefeelo! Freiden! Kapayapaan! Lafia! La paz! Udo! Ufuoma! Pace! Vrede! Yepatang! Shalom!… in every language… “‘Peace’ on earth and goodwill to men!” To women. To you!

 

He is not just the baby in the manger, but the messenger of hope. He is not just another preacher but the healer of our diseases. He is not just a miracle worker, He is the saviour on the cross. The conqueror of hell. The killer of death. He is the Resurrection. Truth. Awesome. Mighty. Marvellous. Wonderful. Counsellor. Mighty God. Prince of peace. Bright and morning star. Sun of Righteousness. Son of man, yet Son of God. He is not just the lamb, He is the Lion of the tribe of Judah and of Nigeria, Germany, China and Ethiopia!

 

Welcome home, not to the manger, but to our lowly hearts. Holy Child! King! Lord! Saviour! God-with-man! Immanuel! Jesus! Christ! Master. Messiah. Risen! Reigning! Supreme. Coming King! Alpha! Omega! Amen!

 

This introductory edition of DeepWords takes an unusual look at Christmas. It brings to the fore deep lessons that are usually lost in the excitement of the season. As you read these meditational pieces, my prayer is that you will take your place in the grand design of heaven’s Christmas lighting effects on earth today.

 

I long to hear from you and the testimonies God is bringing your way this glorious season.

 

Merry Christmas. Very Merry Christmas to you and yours. Today. Tomorrow. Always.

 

#GOD COLOURS; TRUE COLOURS (A Deep Words Devotional Material)

 

#Celebrating the Second Anniversary of a great vision through the visionary, Aleele Paago.

***Please share with others and let it bless them as it blessed you***

 

Stay blessed.

 

 

©TRANSFORMING WORDS SERIES

(Transforming the World through the Word)

 

Also visit www.christapoet.wordpress.com every Monday to read your favourite TWS alongside poems from great poets.