“There is a way that appears to be right, but in the end it leads to death.” (Proverbs 16:26)
I was involved in a choir from grade school through my years of college. And “Carol of the Bells” was one of those songs that we performed nearly every year.
When I was younger I was a soprano. This was an a cappella song was such fun to sing.
“Hark! How the bells
Sweet silver bells
All seem to say,
‘throw cares away.'”
And then as I got a bit older, my voice settled into the alto range. And my part on this song changed. Instead of the cheerful upbeat lyrics above I had difference lyrics: “Ding, dong, ding, dong, ding, dong, ding, dong.”
During the next few days this weekend everyone around us may seem to be buzzing around getting ready for the holidays. They are picking out a Christmas tree and charging gifts to those credit cards. The commercials come on television with expensive jewelry defining real love, and a new car or a big screen TV not seeming like an unreasonable gift in the least. We can almost hear the quick beat of “Hark! How the bells!” in happy tones.
And here we sit. We feel like we’ve been assigned that “ding, dong, ding, dong,” part. We are just the foundation of the fun, but not the cheerful part.
Scripture tells us “There is a way that appears to be right. . . ” To most of the world (and certainly the retailers) the way to a person’s heart is through buying them an expensive gift. The way to show someone you love them it to go in debt for them over a gift. The way to find true happiness and fulfillment is to buy more things! We can easily think that the newest gadget will make us happy. A pretty necklace will make us feel appreciated. And the problem is. . . sometimes it does!
But in the end, it will just lead to death. We want our life to end in . . . more life!. And being the foundation–singing that “alto” part in life is God ordained.
Prayer: Lord, as the people around me buy things they cannot necessarily afford, and try to find happiness in Christmas through more stuff, keep me focused on You being the only gift I will ever need. Help me pass this on to my family and friends as well.
About the Author:
Lisa Copen is an author, speaker, and the founder of Rest Ministries which serves the chronically ill. She lives in San Diego with her husband and 8-year-old son. She is currently writing a book for Christian moms who live with chronic illness. If you are interested in sharing your stories, feedback and confessions for the book, visit her Facebook page at http://MomWithIllness.com .
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What is one way you have given to others or plan to–this holiday season, instead of just being on the receiving end of gifts?
Lisa: Your devotional brought back happy memories to me. Music, including singing, has been maybe the highlight of Christmastime for me as far back as I can remember. Like you, my soprano voice has become alto and not very good at that. And for the last few years playing the piano has been my main contribution to others. I really miss singing although I enjoy playing too.
Just like the “Ding dong…” of The Carol of the Bells is foundational, so is playing an accompaniment to those singing the wonderful Christmas music.
I grieve every year when I go shopping and hear our wonderful Christmas hymns in the background because I know that to most of those around me they are just a pleasant (at best) tradition. It can be fun to look for gifts that will really please our family and friends (and to receive something especially nice), but the older I get the more I desire to focus on the One for whom this celebration is named.
He is the only sure foundation for life at any time. Maybe those of us with painful and frustrating and frightening conditions are blessed because we’ve learned through bitter experience that Jesus, the Babe who became our Saviour and Lord, is the greatest gift to receive and offer to others.
Thanks Lisa!!
I also apply the alto part to those like me who now watch as others cook and shop and make cookies etc. I am trying to cheerfully sing alto and do what I can. This new focus does help me choose wisely financially and time wise what will really matter and be remembered by this time next year.