OnFire 170 The Jesus Bird

Hi Folks:

You can probably tell when its been especially busy for me - the letter comes out later in the week. We are finishing the sanctuary after the renovations, and I have been out evenings working to help get the sound system ready for the weekend. Tonight we reviewed the new equipment and started training new sound people.

We will worship again in our sanctuary this coming Sunday and everyone is excited. The pews are gone and the new chairs have been placed. We spent the morning arranging them and lining them up. They look great.

Now the push is on to have all the little things ready. A dusting crew took care of little nooks and crannies this morning. This afternoon a crew put up the Christmas decorations. Tomorrow the rest of the audio-visual equipment will be hooked up and tested.

As a staff, we’ve already met to review how things will go on Sunday. What will happen, who will do what, and when. We want to make sure everything is ready.

I’m looking forward to this Sunday for several reasons. To be back in the sanctuary and not setting up the gym. To finish a large project (although others have done most of the work).

But most of all, to see people’s reactions as they enter the sanctuary. It looks great and everything has come together so nicely. I think people are going to be very happy with the results. Today we had a steady stream of people in to check things out. They were all very pleased. I can’t wait to see everyone else’s reaction on Sunday.

Does God get excited? My childhood image of God was that He didn’t ever change his emotions, except to be sad or angry at sin, and pleased when we obeyed. But, again, does God get excited?

I think God does get excited.

And I think God was excited as Jesus came into our world. Thousands of years of plans and preparations came down to the final moment. “Now watch this!” And Jesus came into our world.

Maybe He didn’t use quite those words, but I think He was excited.

Last Sunday in our church we started the Advent season by lighting the Hope candle. It is the first of the four advent Candles we will light before we light the fifth candle, the Christ candle. The hope candle is a symbol of anticipation and hope for the Messiah, God’s promised Saviour.

We often use this candle to help build our own sense of anticipation toward Christmas, but today I’m thinking about this from God’s perspective.  Anticipation and excitement must have been at a peak as all of heaven stood by to witness God’s Son be born.

I find this thought about God very comforting. I’m looking forward to Sunday to see people’s reactions as they walk into the sanctuary. And I’m looking forward to Christmas when the boys and Jan unwrap the presents I’ve bought (or will buy) for them. How much more must God look forward to seeing us enjoy the good things He has in store for us.

That’s my thought for this week. I hope it helps. Be on fire.

Troy

OnFire is a weekly letter on faith and character written by Troy Dennis. This letter published Dec 4, 2008. To subscribe or reply, email him at  onfireletter@gmail.com. Archives are located at www.onfireletter.com