Published on 12/17/2004

Commentary

I'm not, in more ways than one. Today I'll get closer to finishing my shopping, I hope. But then there's that whole wrapping thing. I could ask the store to do it, but Janet would miss all the sticky tape and gaping, mismatched paper. Last Christmas I wrapped her presents in birthday paper, and never even noticed. When she did (instantly), I told her I was just pointing to the birthday of Jesus. I don't think she believed me.

This is my last essay for the year. I'll be preaching the next two weekends but out of the office for most of the weekdays. What is the best way to close another year of "The Word Today?" My first thought is one of gratitude to God and to you. I remember vividly how this ministry started during the Christmas holidays in 1999, as I sensed the Lord's leading to begin writing a daily e-mail essay. I invited church members to sign up, hoping 50 or 60 people would join. 800 made up the first mailing list. We now mail to more than 5,300 addresses, many of whom forward to others; at last count, 28 countries were part of the daily distribution.

None of this was in my mind when this ministry started. Your gracious interest and constant encouragement have made this daily responsibility a daily privilege. Every morning I look forward to opening the newspaper and watching an idea become an essay. I cannot find words to thank you sufficiently for your support of this work, and am grateful to God for the privilege of my daily partnership with you.

My second impression as we end the year's essays is one of anticipation. Not one of us knows what 2005 holds for us. As I noted in Wednesday's essay, every important event of my life has walked through the door unannounced. Of all the possibilities which the coming year holds, one is that there will not be another. Every day is one day closer to the Lord's return for us all.

The first Advent promises the second. The One who came as a baby will come back as a conqueror. When? "The day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night" (1 Thessalonians 5:2). Thieves don't call ahead to arrange a convenient time to visit. The fact that God stepped onto our planet at Christmas means that he can step onto it again. If he found us the first time, he can find us the second.

You may be ready for the first Christmas, but are you ready for the second one? As we end one year and begin another, let's make Jesus the Lord of both. Then the Christ of Christmas will turn our holidays into holy days, and lead us into a future bright with hope. May he give to you and yours a joyful Christmas and a blessed New Year.