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January 8 Some European countries with Orthodox ties celebrate today, January 8th , as the day of Jesus’ birth. I guess the actual day of his birth isn’t so important; however, today seemed like the next revelation in my understanding of what the Christ-event is all about. Vera and I hadn’t seen each other in a few days but we decided we would meet today at the art store and chat about those pictures in light of the fact that today is the Orthodox day of Christmas. When we arrived we were both a little surprised and saddened to hear that the woodcuts were gone. Apparently, someone had actually bought them! We
then walked next door to a smoky coffee shop and sat in silence. How could someone buy ‘our’ pictures, we kept wondering aloud. After chit-chatting for a few minutes we decided to take a walk to the mystical Charles Bridge. While walking Vera pulled out her Czech Bible and begin to read these words from the end of Revelation: “See, the home of God is among mortals. He will dwell with them as their God; they will be his people, and God himself will be with them; he will wipe every tear from their eyes. Death will be no more; mourning and crying and pain will be no more, for the first things have passed away. And the one seated on the throne said, See I am making all things new ... “ “Wow, I wonder when that will be?“ I asked. She then read, “The one who testifies to all these things says, ‘Surely I am coming soon.’ “Amen,” we both chimed in. “Come, Lord Jesus.”
Vera broke the silence with words I’ll always remember: “Thank you for coming to my country to help me understand that Jesus has come ... and is coming again.” Little does she know how much she, and this city, and the pictures for Christmas, saved my life as well!
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As we
arrived at the bridge, we both stood in silence for a few moments; I thinking
about how much had changed over the past month. Instead of sadness and sorrow,
I felt hope. Instead of loneliness, I was experiencing friendship. Instead of
the ‘Accusing Voice’ (ala the Red Dragon) whispering that life is meaningless, I
was hearing the Spirit’s voice of comfort, direction, and healing!
