Do you have picture frames to display your favorite pictures and our photos? We don’t always think about the frame while we center our attention on the main focus of the picture. Most people see these frames around office art or in the family photo displays and don’t think twice about them; after all, they are only meant to hold and highlight the art or photos within.
But an artist is often aware of the importance of the right frame to properly set off the art within. God takes care to frame us and the structures around us. Have you thought of your life circumstances in that way? As a way to highlight the character of Christ in you? A frame surrounds something else, and when I think of the Word of God I think of how it surrounds and supports our picture of God.
How differently would be our understanding of God if He had not framed the advent of His only begotten Son in a poor manger. How it highlights the great beauty of God’s love or us, how it picks out the fine humility of His nature, the extent of His far reaching grace! This frame gives the picture of Salvation an unforgettable impression on our souls… even though it was simply the background for the greatest event of the universe. The juxtaposition of the rich gift of God, and the importance of His Son seen against the rude and poor frame of the manger bed in the stable takes us aback and breaks apart all the presupposed ideas of what makes for greatness, power, and worth.
Today you could make a picture frame to surround a favorite Bible verse, or a Christmas blessing you wish to hang on your tree or give to someone.
Make a twig frame
Decorate an old picture frame
Some Christmas Blessings:
Blessing for the New Year
May the new year bring
The warmth of home and hearth to you.
The cheer and goodwill of friends to you,
The hope of a childlike heart to you.
The joy of a thousand angels to you,
The love of the Son and God’s peace to you.
May you be blessed with
warmth in your home,
love in your heart,
peace in your soul
and joy in your life.
Blessing before a meal
Beannaigh sinne, a Dhia.
Beannaigh ár mbia agus ár ndeoch.
ós tú a cheannaigh sinn go daor
Agus a shaor sinn ó olc,
Mar a thug tú an chuid seo dúinn
Go dtuga tú dúinn ár gcuid den ghlóir shÃoraÃ.
Bless us, O God.
Bless our food and our drink.
Since you redeemed us so dearly
and delivered us from evil,
as you gave us a share in this food
so may you give us a share in eternal life.
During the coming
Christmas season
May you be blessed
With the spirit of the season,
which is peace,
The gladness of the season,
which is hope,
And the heart of the season,
which is love.
~from Irish Culture and Customs
Verse for meditation:
Mary’s Song
And Mary said:
“My soul glorifies the Lord
and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
for he has been mindful
of the humble state of his servant.
From now on all generations will call me blessed,
for the Mighty One has done great things for me—
holy is his name.
His mercy extends to those who fear him,
from generation to generation.
He has performed mighty deeds with his arm;
he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts.
He has brought down rulers from their thrones
but has lifted up the humble.
He has filled the hungry with good things
but has sent the rich away empty.
He has helped his servant Israel,
remembering to be merciful
to Abraham and his descendants forever,
just as he promised our ancestors.â€
Sing “Away in a Manger”
