Coming home at Christmas is often momentous in our house as for many years it has meant someone returning after being far from home. In 2020, Covid separated us from one of our daughters who was in Canada. Last year when she pulled in after driving cross-country to be home for Christmas, we raced to the door singing, “She’s here, she’s here, she’s here! “
This year another daughter is coming home for two weeks on break from her ministry in North Macedonia. In a video that was shown during a recent church service at Willowdale Chapel, she shared from Psalm 139:10 how the Lord is giving her strength and how that chapter has sustained her in this first year of ministry. As I read the whole chapter, I noticed the full context of the passage she referenced. Verse 9 and 10 read, “...if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me…” Metaphorically it is a great truth, but our daughter gets to experience it literally as well.
I was reminded of a distinct way the Lord helped me prepare for her leaving to go overseas. In a service shortly before she left, the worship team led the song “Oceans.” The key words that washed over me were:
Spirit lead me where my trust is without borders…
Take me deeper than my feet could ever wander
And my faith will be made stronger in the presence of my Savior.
Complete trust knows no boundaries. The words sunk deep in my soul and made me feel God’s gentle care. Just another way my faithful shepherd has met me in my need.
These were my reflections in anticipation of our church’s Advent series entitled Coming Home. The lessons focus on the doors we open to God’s presence. The first passage we studied was Psalm 24, which emphasizes the Door of Grace. In this Psalm, David is bringing the Ark of the Covenant to Jerusalem to deliver God’s glory to the city. Verses 7 and 9 repeat the chorus of those approaching Jerusalem:
Open up, ancient gates!
Open up, ancient doors,
and let the king of glory enter.
Each time a question follows, “Who is the King of glory?” The question may have been asked with uncertainty and hesitation, perhaps fear, or ignorance that God truly wants to dwell with us.
My attention is drawn to the gates and doors.
I have a clear image of some ancient doors. These are not the warmly decorated doors one sees on posters or postcards or in House Beautiful. These are heavy doors, constructed with iron and thick wood and riddled with large brass studs. These doors are found in Zanzibar and India, and the studs were designed to keep war elephants from breaking them down in an era of tribal disputes.
Psalm 24 challenges me as I wrestle with conflict in my own life. There are doors where I have allowed the Lord’s grace to enter. But there are doors of my heart and mind where I have shuttered the gate and not given Him access. Why do I resist His entrance into certain aspects of my life? Simple answer, I don’t always want Him to reign in those areas. Psalm 24 calls me, calls each of us, to be open to His presence and to seek His Lordship.
This Christmas let us find ways to welcome Him home, throwing open the door to His grace. And may our hearts prepare Him room.
ABOUT OUR BLOGGER
Linnea Tideman has always enjoyed sharing stories. Her childhood in New Hampshire and her Swedish heritage have provided her with a wealth of experiences, but also the foundation of her faith. She enjoys creative projects, travel, books, sewing, gardening, but most of all hospitality, often hosting fancy teas and occasionally something grand like recreating dinner on the Titanic. She serves the UrbanPromise and Good Neighbors ministries. Linnea lives in Landenberg with her husband Dave.
They have three grown daughters. She hopes that her writing reflects how God continues to reveal Himself to us as our shepherd and Savior.
CHRISTMAS EVE SERVICES
Join us for our Christmas Eve Services at our Jennersville Campus and Kennett Campus. We encourage you to consider inviting family, friends and neighbors to join you.
December 23, 7:00 pm
December 24, 1:00, 3:00 and 5:00 pm
Childcare is available for children from Birth - PreK for all services except Dec. 24 at 5 pm.