Come, Listen, Seek and Call
Around Christmas time, I always find myself reflecting on the season. Amidst all the festivities and the flurry I wonder: What is all this for? I guess the more accurate question is: Who is all this for? In the Christian tradition we know this long-awaited day is for and about Jesus. We recognize and remember his momentous, yet humble entry into the world. It is the day God entered onto the scene of our human story and brought salvation to all who believe in him.
The expression and celebration of this Christ event over the centuries has taken on many forms: the lights, the parties, the music, the gift-giving and more. It is all lovely and magical isn’t it? And yet, if you’re anything like me, there is always that temptation to get “caught up” in making Christmas about those things: what gifts to buy and for whom, what outfits to wear, what food to serve etc. How do we strike the balance between Christ and chaos? Between the reason and the romance of the season?
Though it is easy to neglect God’s Word in this busy time, I am convinced that it it is often through the meditation of Scripture that can snap us back if we’ve gotten off track. This passage in Isaiah did that very thing for me today and perhaps it can for you too:
“Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters…come buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without cost. Why spend money on what is not bread and your labor on what does not satisfy? Listen, listen to me, and eat what is good, and you will delight in the richest of fare. Give ear and come to me; listen, that you may live.” Seek the Lord while He may be found; call on Him while he is near. -Isaiah 55: 1-3a, 6
Food and gifts cost money, only last a short time and meet only physical and material needs. But God offers us free nourishment that feeds our soul. When we come (55:1), listen (55:2), seek and call on God (55:6), he promises to delight us with the “richest of fare.” God’s salvation is freely offered but to continue nourishing our souls (as we do our bodies), we must choose to go to God and receive from him.
This message hits particularly close to home for me this year as my husband and I live and serve in a country where many are poor and without physical food and gifts this Christmas. What good news it is that true nourishment and satisfaction comes only from the Lord and it costs nothing but our time and our hearts to go to him.
Our schedules may be full, but how about our souls? May we pay attention to our deeper spiritual thirst this holiday season and take time to be still in between the festivities and the flurry to come, listen, seek and call on the Lord our God, the Savior and Provider of our precious souls. Only then will we delight in the richest of fare.
Happy feasting!