Blessed are those you choose and bring near to live in your courts!                                                                                          Psalm 65:4

I’ve been overwhelmed the last few days–as Christmas decorations have been hung and sprawled and left half way to their destinations–to consider anew just why we do this.  My family went to see Saving Christmas last week at the movie theater.  I recommend it.  It is very good, but I recommend that all believers support anyone willing to put the Gospel on a big screen.

But the point of the movie is this very question, why do we do this and is it biblical.  Thus my thoughts on why I have a tree in my den and lights on every surface I can get them to hang from.

This is where I’ve landed, where for me it begins this Christmas:  an invitation, a few really.  The point of all this coming to earth business was to make it possible for me to accept His invitations.  Without Him coming, I would be in no position to receive all that He offers.

And to what has He invited me?

Ponder this verse for a minute.  Blessed are those you choose.  He’s doing the choosing, and I’m the one chosen.  Me.  And bring near to live in your courts. I’m being brought to live in His presence, His temple, His palace, His kingdom.  I’ve been invited to dine at the King’s table.  For ever.

You know how some invitations you wish you didn’t get–now you have to think of a decent reason not to go.  Some invitations you accept and then wish you hadn’t because ‘something  better’ came along.  Some invitations you clutch to your chest and jump for joy when you pull them out of the mailbox.  Some events you would move your whole schedule around to make sure you didn’t miss.

We’ve been invited to one of those we shouldn’t be willing to miss and yet the invitation often sits unopened on the foyer table overlooked and undervalued.

Come to me all you who are weary and burdened and I will give you rest.                                                                                                               Matthew 11:28

Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name; bring an offering and come into His courts.                                                                              Psalm 96:8

The Spirit and the bride say “Come!” And let him who hears say, “Come!” Whoever is thirsty, let him come.                                                Revelation 22:17

Come, come, come.  Come lay down your cares.  Come be humbled by His greatness.  Come bask in His radiant glory.  Come find your purpose in His perfect plan.  Come find shelter in His wings.  Come rest in His arms.  Come get a glimpse of who you are meant to be. Come. Come.

We are invited this season to join lowly shepherds and mighty kings at the feet of an Almighty God who humbled Himself right down into a dirty trough.  I’m invited.  I’m invited into the private, intimate scene of my Savior’s birth.  I’m invited to draw near to this Creator Child with the perfect plan.  I’m invited into such an honored place.  This scene is precious and tender and priceless and privileged.

And I’ve been invited to come.

Come to Bethlehem and see                                                                                               Him whose birth the angels sing.                                                                                     Come adore on bended knee                                                                                                 Christ the Lord, the newborn king.