The Shanna Blog for Christmas

He Came for You. And me.

Beginning note: I didn’t know weather patterns could move SW. I thought they were supposed to head from MN to MI! But, it is Christmastime, so maybe there’s an exception to the rule. As I was sitting here, staring at the lovely Minnesota blizzard that seems to be taking the state by storm (no pun intended), I remembered that I was yet to write my December guest blog. (That high school thing just seems to keep getting in the way. ;-)) So, I’m sorry it’s a bit late, but without further ado…

I have a song that I’ve always greatly enjoyed, but one that I didn’t really take the time to understand until yesterday, when I began to REALLY think about it. Please allow me to set the scene for you. The snow was falling, the fireplace crackling, laughs filled the room, and two guitars were strumming. Well, I should say 1.5 guitars were. My cousin knows how to play well, and I, well, like to pretend I can. ;-) Anyway, the family (all 32 of them) had requested a concert of sorts, so my cousin and I were flipping though the book, when the song “Who Am I?” by Casting Crowns came up:
Who am I, that the Lord of all the earth
Would care to know my name
Would care to feel my hurt
Who am I, that the Bright and Morning Star
Would choose to light the way
For my ever wandering heart
Not because of who I am
But because of what You've done
Not because of what I've done
But because of who You are
Chorus:
I am a flower quickly fading
Here today and gone tomorrow
A wave tossed in the ocean
A vapor in the wind
Still You hear me when I'm calling
Lord, You catch me when I'm falling
And You've told me who I am
I am Yours, I am Yours
Who Am I, that the eyes that see my sin
Would look on me with love and watch me rise again
Who Am I, that the voice that calmed the sea
Would call out through the rain
And calm the storm in me
I am Yours
Whom shall I fear
Whom shall I fear
'Cause I am Yours
I am Yours
We sang our little duet, and it sounded lovely, of course. ;-) But, what struck me at that time, were those two bolded lines. Being in the cancer world is a constant reminder of how fleeting this earthly life is. On a grand scheme, each of our lives are nothing but “A wave tossed in the ocean”, “a vapor in the wind”, or a single snowflake in a blizzard (for all of us Midwesterners. ;-)). The thought originally makes us feel so very small, but, then it all changes. As the song goes on, we are reminded that God sent His Son for us. Also, He is in control of each and every moment that we live. His gift to us is the ultimate one of love, and that who we are, is not because of anything we do, but because He has chosen us as His own. And, this thought, leaves us with nothing but a feeling of joy.
In the spirit of this wonderful Christmas season, I pray for you all a blessed holiday, a fantastic start to 2008, some good company, and even some good turkey. And, I also pray that in the hub-bub (since we’re known for making up words) of the Christmas season, you stop to remember the real reason we are blessed to celebrate the 25th of December: because Jesus Christ came for us.
Merry Christmas everyone!
End note: To the Kellys: if there’s one thing I’m thankful for as the New Year approaches, it’s that I got to spend 2007 with you.