Subscription Lists
Refreshment in Refuge
by Gina Burgess
Notice how packages have the ability to create excitement? Even when we know what’s in it, a package can bring a smile to your face. You ordered it; you asked for special delivery, and then it arrives. Slicing into the wrapping, taking the prize out of the box, and putting the thing to use makes the day seem brighter somehow. Then comes a season of giving and receiving that creates more than just a little excitement produced by one little package.
Christmas is definitely the most wonderful time of the year. I love the fragrance of crisp air and (when it is cold enough in Southern Mississippi) of wood smoke, the cheery smiles, wound up children, and the twinkling of lights on green trees. Last Christmas we focused on Jesus being the Green Tree. What about the greatest Gift that no amount of money can buy?
In just a few days, the space under that beautifully decorated green tree will be bare except for some glitter that drifted down from several ornaments and perhaps a few leaf needles. Everyone will be dozing or playing with brand new shiny things. But I’m wondering if all the gifts have been unwrapped.
What is that winking and sparkling in the Christmas lights?
In a little manger lay a baby Who is the Light of the world, the special Gift from God one night 2,000 years ago. That little baby was a very special delivery. We Christians remember that day and honor our LORD by giving gifts to our loved ones. We commemorate the Gift of Life God chose to bestow on all who believe Him. The question is, can the world discern this meaning from Christians? Have we lost the meaning for the most part to the point that Christmas is just tinsel, food, and gifts? True believers haven’t lost it. We carry that gift with us all year long; and it is visible to others who have the indwelling Holy Spirit. It is something that shines within us, shedding light into this dark world. What we need to remember is that darkness cannot overcome light. The darkest cavern will be lit by the smallest candle which is something we tend to forget in the fast lane.
Arise and shine for thy Light has come, and the glory of YHWH has risen on you. Isaiah href="https://pro.studylight.org/study-desk.html?q=isa+60:1">Isaiah 60:1
That is just one of the prophecies that Jesus would be born. I so much love this verse because it says so much in such few words.
Arise: that Hebrew word is a primitive root and has a great number of meanings in various applications literally, causatively, intensively, and figuratively. It means to rise up, stand up, rouse up, stir up, uphold, enjoin, make good, abide, be clearer, confirm, decree.
Let’s take that word decree. Isn’t it interesting that Caesar sent out a decree for census at the precise time that Mary was due to bear her baby? Isn’t it interesting that just more than 70 years after Isaiah wrote this down, Artaxerxes (a title for the king of Persia) issued a decree for Jerusalem to be rebuilt and sent Nehemiah to do the job? Neither Caesar nor Artaxerxes Darius knew they were setting into motion events which had been prophesied centuries before in the case of Darius and a century before in the case of Caesar. With God there are no accidents or coincidences.
Shine: that Hebrew words is another primitive root; to be or to make luminous (literally and metaphorically) break of day, glorious, kindle, light (-en, -ened), set on fire, shine.
We can compare this to Luke href="https://pro.studylight.org/study-desk.html?q=lu+1:78-79">Luke 1:78-79, the Dayspring, Dawn, as bright as the sun rising in the east to give light to those who walk in darkness. The people who walk in darkness have seen a great light. Isaiah href="https://pro.studylight.org/study-desk.html?q=isa+9:2">Isaiah 9:2 and Matthew href="https://pro.studylight.org/study-desk.html?q=mt+4:16">Matthew 4:16. Immanuel is the Light, and it is He who shines within us.
So how do we Christians shine?
We can’t make ourselves shine. We don’t do that work. God has lit us from the inside out, and it is God who speaks to Himself in other Christians. It’s that instant affinity you feel for someone you’ve just met, and there is a kinship you feel. A kindred Spirit is joyous to commune with kindred Spirit, and we are allowed to participate in that joy. This happens only between believer to believer.
What about shining toward those who do not know Jesus, and who do not have the indwelling Spirit? What plan has God devised for us to shine toward them?
We see all the building blocks for that plan in Galatians href="https://pro.studylight.org/study-desk.html?q=ga+5:22-24">Galatians 5:22-24 But the fruit of the Spirit is: love, joy, peace, long-suffering, kindness, goodness, faith, 23 meekness, self-control. Against such things there is not a law. 24But the ones belonging to Christ crucified the flesh with its passions and lusts. 25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.
When we display the fruit of the Spirit then we have unwrapped the special, eternal Gift for all to see. We are acting contrary to the flesh and the world. Those who are aching, hurting, spiritually sick, hungering and thirsting will instantly recognize in us what they want. God has already prepared their hearts; all we have to do is be prepared to share what He has so abundantly given. God does all the work through His willing vessels be they of the most costly alabaster or the most durable ironstone.
John href="https://pro.studylight.org/study-desk.html?q=joh+4:10">John 4:10 Jesus answered and said to her, If you knew the gift of God, and who is the One saying to you, Give Me to drink, you would have asked Him, and He would give you living water.
Unwrap the Gift and share the fruit of the Spirit with everyone you know for God is hard at work within the hearts of men. We never know what kind word or display of self-control, or joyous expression will draw one toward the Gift and to life eternal with the most glorious King. Expect miracles. The fields are white with harvest and the time for harvesting is growing short.
(Partial reprint from a 2010 column.)
Rate it:
Gina Burgess has taught Sunday School and Discipleship Training for almost three decades. (Don't tell her that makes her old.) She earned her Master's in Communication in 2013.
She is the author of several books including: When Christians Hurt Christians, The Crowns of the Believers and others available in online bookstores. She authors several columns, using her God-given talent to shine a light in a dark world. You can browse her blog at Refreshment In Refuge.
If you'd like to take a look at some Christian fiction and Christian non-fiction book reviews check out Gina's book reviews at Upon
Receive the newest devotional each week in your inbox by joining the "Refreshment in Refuge" subscription list. Enter your email address below, click "Go!" and we will send you a confirmation email. Follow the instructions in the email to confirm your addition to this list.