I sat down today to spend a few minutes reading my Bible and decided to read the Christmas story in Mark. I couldn’t remember ever reading the Christmas story in that gospel, so I thought I’d give it a whirl.
Well, it appears Mark believes in cutting to the chase.
There’s no mention of a manger. No Mary and Joseph. No baby Jesus. No bright star or angels or heavenly hosts. No silent night. No holy night.
As a matter of fact, if Mark was the only gospel where Jesus’ entrance to this world was mentioned, Christmas would look vastly different.
There would be no gifts.
There would be no Linus delivering the stellar line in the Charlie Brown Christmas special.
There would be no lights shining so brightly.
There would be a wild looking man named John the Baptist dressed in leather and camel hair, preparing the way for Jesus by preaching one message. A message we don’t typically hear at Christmas.
A message that’s rough around the edges and little hard to swallow alongside my sausage balls and cheese blintzes.
Repentance.
That one word sums up the beginnings of the Christ story according to Mark.
“And so John came, baptizing in the desert region and preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. The whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem went out to him. Confessing their sins…” (Mark 1: 4-5).
This is about the place in the sermon where I start hoping some people I know are really paying attention. I climb up on my mental high horse and think, “Thank you Lord for this message all these people need to hear- because you know how they act. You know how selfish they are. Whew. And you know so and so just needs a full out repentance revival. Mercy!”
It’s a that point, Jesus whispers to me. It’s a message to you and you alone. You need this message, Lysa. I am calling you to repent. This is the way you need to prepare for Christmas in your heart this year.
“I will send a messenger ahead of you, who will prepare the way- a voice of one calling in the desert, ‘Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him’ ” (Mark 1:2-3).
The girl who can be such a mess.
Hears the messenger calling for repentance.
So, she makes Christmas not the same old story but a message meant for her heart.
And she whispers once again, “I’m sorry Jesus. Forgive me. Heal me. Restore me. Those little places I excuse. Those same old things that trip me up. The pride that keeps me thinking it’s someone else’s fault. The busyness that makes me forget to stop and consider my ways- my thoughts- my actions. You, Messiah are the best match for my mess.”
I doubt this will ever be the most popular version of the Christmas story but for me this year, it’s perfect.
so awesome – thank you!!
What a great version of the Christmas story! I never focused on Mark before either, but I think I will go home tonight and read the whole version. Thank you so much for the reminder to continually repent to make ourselves whole people of God!
I like this message too…it is one I definitely need to hear daily.
Love ya Lysa…
Kim
This messy girl sure needs to repent daily. Thanks, sis!
Keep praying for me this holiday season–I let the whole messiness that is my dysfunctional family get to me too much!
A MESSiah for the Mess! Love this message, Lysa!
Preach on! Preach on, Sister!
A great reminder from you- as usual! Thanks so much for the encouraging words…you always seem to be speaking DIRECTLY to me!
Thanks. And right on, in many ways. “Unto us…” a messenger was sent to remind us to repent.
From one messy girl to another, thank you. This is an ON TIME WORD!!!!
Blessings to you this Christmas season,
Denise
I’m definitely another messy girl that is greatful for your blog.Thank you for being so transparent.
What an amazing gift the Father has given you Lysa! Your messages always speak to me in a way that I never expect and although at times I must say “Hmmm, okay Lord I needed that” I ALWAYS feel closer to him after reading your posts…Thank You for saying Yes so many years ago Lysa, so many lives were changed when you did!!!
Crazy….my pastor actually preached this message this past Sunday. Repentance. Just in time for the birth of Christ.
A timely message once again Lysa. Thank you so much. This messy girl’s going to have to learn to put her messes at the MESSiah’s feet. Keep praying for me as I will you this Christmas and may you and yours have a wonderful one at that.
Love ya Lysa…
Your story of repentance can be each of our gift to our Savior this Christmas. It humbles me and puts me back at His feet ready to be molded by Him. Thanks so much for your message. I was just journaling about gifts and how do we translate ipods and dolls to the real Christmas story? Then, I read your post and it’s not about that but what my gift can be to my Father. And repentance is the answer
Merry Christmas!
Good mornig Lysa and everyone reading Lysa’s blog.
Once again, I have enjoyed coming to this sight and getting wisdom and knowledge, it refreshes me and gives me food for thought for my spirit….a great thing!!! To the ladies commenting, I would like for ya’ll to know I feel a bond and also look 4ward to reading the comments as well.
Lysa once again your blog is an answer to prayer. This CHRISTmas I wanted it to be different, more meaningful, not to fall away from the TRUE meaning of why we celebrate CHRISTmas. It’s not about Santa Claus, the CHRISTmas tree or decorations. The lights or shopping. It’s not about receiving presents either. I wanted to feel and celebrate the TRUTH. In the past my family and I would read the CHRISTmas story from the WORD and sing HaPpY Birthday to Jesus (I’d bake a cake and place one candle, to represent that He is THE ONE and ONLY present that matters most). We do ALL that before we open our CHRISTmas present, thinking that was good enough and be satisfying enough. This year I feel that I needed more. FOCUS more on this season’s celebration, I DO NOT want to loose sight of CHRISTmas. My devotion each morning is PROVERBS 31 Ministry. It has helped me to remain FOCUS this season, cleaning my insides and not to BE caught up “in the hustle and bustle of CHRISTmas”. Each day I have been trying to pictur the Blessed Virgin Mary wrapping the baby Jesus in a blanket. Her hands carefully folding each corner of soft cloth. Like a beautiful bow on the perfect Christmas gift, picturing her place a kiss on HIS forehead, feeling the softness of our Jesus skin and remembering the AROMA of THE baby, our Lord Jesus Christ. I never want to forget the most important gift of all, is the gift of Immanuel, God with us.
So today I read your blog about repentance, your right not the “normal” theme of CHRISTmas. I want and will prepare for CHRISTmas by repenting. I want my heart to be ready this year. I too am “sorry Jesus. Forgive me. Heal me. Restore me. Those little places I EXCUSE. Those same old things that trip me up. The PRIDE that keeps me thinking it’s someone else’s fault. The BUSYNESS that makes me forget to stop and consider my ways- my thoughts- my actions. YOU, MESSIAH are the best match for my mess.” I invite YOUR Holy Spirit to reign over me and my life. To guide me in YOUR righteous path. I pray this in JESUS’ name. AMEN! AMEN! AMEN!
Apologies for such a LENGTHY comment……I just couldn’t stop sharing.
thank you Lysa…you are a vessel being used by our King…♥7sisters
You’ve defined what has been in my heart this past week. I guess, you know how to cut to the chase too.
Thanks!
What a wonderful way to think of the Christmas story. The Lord has been tugging at my heart about me a lot lately. Thank you for sharing those thoughts.
Thanks, Lysa for your transparency & for speaking on behalf of your sisters…or at least one; me! You’re an encourager! As a dear friend, who is in Christs’ presence today, used to say, “be a Barnabus, we need to encourage one another”! Provoking one another to love & good works! Blessings to you & your family.. Merry Christmas!
Thank you so much for this – it’s a blessing. I’m linking to this post! Every blessing …
very meaningful and thought provoking message for this advent season…preparation of the heart…repentance and rest…those are the things I long for, but seldom seem to “accomplish” from my to-do list…may these truths of repentance remind us to rest in Him this holiday.
You are so right! Christmas is so special, yet too often we miss the point altogether. This Christmas I have decided to not let my heart get caught up in all the wanting that so easily takes over. I am posting something I am thankful for each day until Christmas. It is a great exercise and has been keeping my eyes focused on the Son! Please stop by my blog and let me know something you are thankful for and allow your input to encourage me and others as well.
Lysa, It was so interesting reading this post, as only this week, a thought crossed my mind about how different the writers Mathew, Mark, Luke and John, recounted he story of Jesus Christ. That we have to read and take in all versions, to see the full picture.
Thank you for your version and for the prayer that I said from my heart.
God Bless you and your family at this time.
Thank you so much Lysa…will you please pray for me, my family, and everyone else in my life? This comes with a prayer for you too. Love in Christ, Laurie
Dear Lysa,
You are not the only mess in this world. I am too and so are a lot of other people. Christ is the reason for the season. Thank you so much for reminding us why he came and keeping me especially, humble. May you have a Merry Christmas with lots of blessings, and a VERY happy new year!