THE REST OF THE STORY

This week, I read two separate children’s Christmas stories to our group of Early Childhood and Elementary students. The birth of Jesus Christ, the full deity of God in human form, lays the foundation for all joy during the Christmas season. What a privilege and blessing to honor Christ and instruct children of His saving grace! 

On another day, I visited a High School classroom to “guest teach” a PreCalculus lecture. The students and I were working with logarithms…exciting, I know! As a math nerd at heart, I was disappointed that our class time did not permit us to dive even deeper into the powerful applications of how math helps us steward God’s creation.

Often, we place limits on our study of knowledge for various reasons (time, interest, complexity, etc.). Even our approach to celebrating Christmas can be reduced to a short children’s story. Unlike the limited time I was granted with some PreCalculus students (and Christmas celebrations), God’s design for family provides extended rhythms to train up our children. 

We know that the birth of Jesus is only the beginning of the story. The entire life of Jesus invites us into a greater understanding of the character and heart of our triune God. His death and resurrection reveal God’s immeasurable love and desire for us to be united with Him. Now seated at the right hand of God, Jesus sent His Helper, the Holy Spirit, to live in us and guide us into His redemptive plan. 

As we indulge in sugar cookies, watch some football, and open some finely wrapped Christmas presents, may we intentionally set aside time to delve deeply into these truths. May our faith and testimony dive well below the surface, searching, finding, and sharing the truths of His life and His life in us!

Merry Christmas!