Path to Eternal Citizenship

My last name has German roots and I have been told in Germany "Decker" is common as Miller or Smith in the United States. And my mother’s maiden name is Broman, which has roots in Finland and Switzerland. I believe my family immigrated to the United States through Ellis Island sometime in the early 1900’s. Immigration statistics began in 1820, in that year 8,385 people started a new life in America. Then in 2012, 192 years later, 1,031,631 people were granted permanent residence in the U.S.

Millions upon millions have crossed our nation’s boarders and gone through a process to be declared a United States citizen with all its rights and privileges. Then immigrants have the door of opportunity thrown wide open to pursue their turn at the American Dream.   

When my family came to America nearly two centuries ago they received America’s extended hand of compassion welcoming them. At the same time, those who came outside the designated path of citizenship received its justice. According to the Department of Homeland Security, in 1892, when they started tracking deportations, 2,801 people were sent back to their home country and in 2012 the number was 409,489.

God through Jesus Christ extends His compassion inviting us to receive His gift of eternal life and come to His home in heaven. Just as immigrants to America are not born U.S. citizens, so none of us are born heaven’s citizens. Rather, we all must walk through God’s path to eternal citizenship.

Some may try to come to outside of God’s plan. They may think by giving of their time and money to those in need or by church attendance and service they can assure themselves a spot in God’s glorious kingdom. Yet, Jesus says there is only one-way into His kingdom declaring, "I am the way, and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." (John 14:6). Not following God’s path assures us we will meet His hand of His justice being denied entry to His heaven and separated from Him forever in hell – the eternal dwelling for the lawless.

God has laid out a plan for citizenship in His celestial kingdom. Out of His compassion, He extends an invitation, inviting you to turn from your sinful deeds and to Christ. By faith receive His hope for you today
 

A New Start

As a sunrise means the start of a new day, so January means the start of a new year.  Our world is filled with examples of new starts.  The toss of a coin on a football field is the start of a new game, the exchange of vows in a wedding ceremony is the start of a new life-long relationship and the first day on a job is the start of new opportunities.  Examples of new starts are all around us.  They can teach us a few things.

First, they teach us about perseverance. Life can make us weary. It can make us feel like giving up and saying to ourselves, "I can’t do this anymore." However, January can be a new start. Will you give up or accept that last year is gone and renew your commitment to give your best and keep pressing onward?

Second, a new start teaches us about opportunity. January shouts saying, "Hey, it is a new year what are you going to do with it?" We may have opportunities to begin a new career, help someone who is in need, or fulfill a lifelong dream. Will we allow them to come and go or will we rise up, seize these opportunities and do our best with the chances we have been given?

Third, a new start teaches us about the grace of God. As New Year’s Day symbolizes the occasion to commence a better year, so the grace of God is the chance to inaugurate the start of a new and redeemed life.

As we have done nothing to cause the rising of the morning sun, so we have done nothing to earn this grace of God and the redemption it provides. What is this amazing grace? It is an expression of God’s love shown through the death and resurrection of His Son whom provided the forgiveness of sins our hearts desperately need.

The Scriptures say, "Let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need" (Hebrews 4:16).Today, draw near to God and seek His grace that His love may wash you clean and place within you a new heart and mind. Indeed, may His love be your hope for today and this new year.

Oh, Christmas Tree

One of my highlights each Christmas is putting up the tree and trimming it out with lights and decorations.  We start at the bottom and wind our way upwards finishing it off with the angel at the top.  Then the drum rolls for the big test – plugging it in.  When it all works and the tree lights up, it is a beautiful sight.  Often I will sit in the living room with just the tree lights on gazing at their beauty. 

The tradition of Christmas lights goes back hundreds of years.  Have you ever heard of the word, “Weihnachtspyramide”?  I cannot pronounce it, but it is the German word for Christmas Pyramid.  In the late Middle Ages the people in the Erzgebirge (Ore Mountains) of Germany to set up a wooden pyramid in their homes at Christmas time.  It was decorated with many things then lit up with candles.  As time moved on this pyramid merged with the evergreen tree to become the modern Christmas tree.   

 Today the majority of people see Christmas lights as simple decoration absent the history of where the tradition came from. Why did these early Germans put candles on their pyramids?  They did it to teach their families about the real meaning of Christmas – to celebrate Jesus’ birth as the light of the world.    

During the time of Jesus’ birth (4-8 B.C.), the world was dark, filled with much evil.  Hope was scarce.  Then in the midst of it all a great light came from the heavens where God sent His Only Son to earth.  Then He hung a bright star in the sky above his birthplace announcing to the world that hope had come.  Jesus once said of Himself, “I have come into the world as light, so that whoever believes in me may not remain in darkness” (John 12:46). 

From Jesus’ birth, death, burial and resurrection His light never dimmed, shining brightly always.  To some His light was praised as it guided them out of darkness into a living hope.  To others His light was offensive exposing their evil deeds and corrupt ways.  

The greatest gifts you can give this Christmas season are two-fold.  One, give yourself wholly to Jesus, letting His light dwell in you.  Secondly, give yourself to others letting them see the light of Christ within you.  This Christmas may the Light of the world be your hope for today.