Thursday, December 19, 2013

Of Love Stories and a Political Coup d'Etat for Christmas


Artist Richard Heeks
I'm belting out love songs from the eighties and nineties, as I splash dish soap across the sink, and my hand still aches from the scribbling.

Earlier, I scrawled handwritten words across three pages of lined paper at the kitchen table, trying to sum up the greatest story. An account of a warrior king battling to rescue his people who have lost their land (and themselves) to enemy-control. A people who don't know who they are, paupered orphans of the king, unaware of their identity. Throughout history, the warrior king sends messages and gifts to his loved ones, revealing his heart and his affection for them, but it always ends the same.

They forget who they are. They forget who he is. And history repeats itself.

This warrior who doesn't wait to "meet me halfway across the sky," and who "makes this a new beginning of another life." *

This warrior who saw that messages and messengers weren't working, put aside royal robes to put on human skin and crown through to earth. 

"Let me tell you about my kingdom..." he said again and again. He spoke of good news, open to anyone, everyone who would come; and he said, "I have come to give you life!"

This Christmas, it's a love story of a passionate warrior king who has chased you through the ages, wooing you, battling for you, and who is on a mission to reclaim his earth.

The King has come.

Merry Christmas, friends. Have a wonderful holiday week with your family and friends. I will be taking next week off to enjoy family, but look forward to talking with you again on Monday, the 30th. 

What are you excited about doing this Christmas week? What do you love most about the Christmas story? (Those in email can click here to join the conversation, or you can always hit reply to that emailed post.)

(Linking up with Emily at Imperfect Prose too.) 

* Thanks to Kenny Logins' "Meet Me Halfway" song.



22 comments:

Unknown said...

I'm looking forward to family being together next week and attending our church's candlelight Christmas eve service.

S.Rae said...

"This Christmas, it's a love story of a passionate warrior king who has chased you through the ages, wooing you, battling for you, and who is on a mission to reclaim his earth."
YES! Well said!

HisFireFly said...

He has come
He Is coming again
Amen.

The retreat I blogged about was for people involved in The High Calling as writers or readers http://www.thehighcalling.org/

retreat was at http://www.laitylodge.org/

Unknown said...

I am looking forward to many days of baking, board games, singing carols, and enjoying our fire (even if it is thanks to Netflix). :)

What I love most about the Christmas story?

He came. I just love that he came to earth. So humbling.

Anonymous said...

Wow. Absolutely beautiful!

I love the peace of Christmas. The slow feel of together... That's my favorite part. The candle light service at church, a movie by the fire with my husband... Christmas brunch and gift giving...

Floyd said...

The King has come indeed! Awesome reminder of the love our Father has for His children. That soothes the soul, sister. thanks.

Pam said...

Beautiful, Jennifer. I really love the way you put this... our warrior King. All His blessings to you and yours this Christmas!

Duane Scott said...

Let me tell you about my kingdom... again and again.

YES. Keep telling us, Jennifer.

Jayne said...

I love that Jesus is willing to fight for me! What a Savior He is!
I look forward to having all my kids under my roof all at the same time! That rally is all I want for Christmas!

Dontmissyoursunsetlady said...

MERRY Christmas Jennifer! It is the best gift I will ever have!

LOLITA said...

Jen,
We had a long Christmas vacation. The Philippines is good at holidays. I think we have the most number all over the world. I am at the office today undtil Saturday then off to another New Year holidays. I can only go online at the office a bit only too.

Anyway, I just want to drop you a warm Christmas cheer. May the new year bring us good health, peace, joy and prosperity..... more so spiritually.

Hugs,
Lolita

Jennifer Dougan said...

Constance,

So nice to meet you. Thanks for stopping by here, and please forgive my delay in getting back to you.

A candlelight Christmas Eve service and time with family, yes... so relaxing and memory-producing.

Have a wonderful new year,
Jennifer Dougan
www.jenniferdougan.com

Jennifer Dougan said...

S Rae,

Thank you! Isn't he wonderful how he chases and pursues us through time?! How lavishly he loves us all.

Thank you for stopping in here. Please forgive my delay in replying.
Have a great new year!

Jennifer Dougan
www.jennifertdougan.com

Jennifer Dougan said...

Hi His firefly,

Fun to have you here again. Please forgive my delay in replying.

The retreat sounds interesting. How long have you been writing for the High Calling?

Jennifer Dougan
www.jennifertdougan.com

Jennifer Dougan said...

Kara,

You are the second person to mention the netflix fire. It sounds tempting now! :) How were your days of baking, gaming, and carols?

Forgive my delay in replying.

Have a great new year!

Jennifer Dougan
www.jenniferdougan.com

Jennifer Dougan said...

Rainydayinmay,

Mm, a movie by the fire with your man, a candlelight service, and special brunch with family and friends... it sounds wonderful! How was it all?

Forgive my delay in replying. Have a great new year!

Jennifer Dougan
www.jenniferdougan.com

Jennifer Dougan said...

Nice to have you here as always, Floyd.

Have a wonderful new year,
Jennifer Dougan
www.jenniferdougan.com

Jennifer Dougan said...

Thank you, Pam. So nice to have you here again.

Have a great new year,
Jennifer Dougan
www.jenniferdougan.com

Jennifer Dougan said...

Thank you, Duane, for stopping in here. Yes, those calls again and again to remember his kingdom, to teach about a new way of living life... I need those too.

Have a good new year,
Jennifer Dougan
www.jenniferdougan.com

Jennifer Dougan said...

Jayne,

Forgive my delay in replying. How was it having all your kids under your roof for Christmas again?!

Have a wonderful new year,
Jennifer Dougan
www.jenniferdougan.com

Jennifer Dougan said...

TJ,

Jesus as our gift? Yes, his love that pursues us across the centuries, across the generations. What a God!

Have a great new year.
Jennifer Dougan
www.jenniferdougan.com

Jennifer Dougan said...

Lolita,

Nice to talk with you again. Wow, so the Philippines have long vacation days, huh? Nice! Have you been enjoying these more relaxed days?

How has clean up from the storm been going in other regions of the country?

Have a happy new year, Lolita.

Jennifer Dougan
www.jenniferdougan.com