358 – Hark the Grandpa Harold Sing or What is Impact?

#faithbites #faithjourney harold

Tonight during our Christmas Eve service, I was helping the young ones get ready for the live nativity scene. Right before we went on, the congregation, sang a few Christmas carols with one being Hark the Herald Angel Sings. That song was always one of my favorites as a kid as I thought they were talking about my Grandpa Harold. He has been gone now for 32 years, but I remember that song and him. Tonight during the song, I felt touched by God and his presence.

During the sermon, our DCE talked not about Jesus the man, but Jesus the baby being real. Real toes, ears, head, body, everything. He was a real baby. Who knew that 2000+ years later we would still be celebrating that night and his impact on the world. (Well the Camel in The Star knew but we won’t go there).

Later during the service, my youngest was very upset and trying to cuddle on me for comfort and support. A few minutes later, she was asleep. My body made a great pillow for her. She was safe, comforted, and happy….well until she woke up but that’s a different story.

Be it a song, a warm place for your child, or bringing salvation to the world, what is your impact?

Scripture

• When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come. – John 16:13
• Sing to the Lord a new song;
      sing to the Lord, all the earth.
  Sing to the Lord, praise his name;
      proclaim his salvation day after day.
  Declare his glory among the nations,
      his marvelous deeds among all peoples – Psalm 96: 1-3
• But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people – Luke 2:10

Reflection

When I think of my Grandpa Harold, I usually don’t see his impact on the world. He died when I was young, books aren’t written about him, his songs aren’t sung, and no one talks about him much. But without him his two kids wouldn’t have been born, nor his 6 grandkids, nor his 12 great grand-kids. He wouldn’t have found in WWII. He made an impact and one that should be celebrated.

When I think of my daughter falling asleep on me in church, no one will remember that. For most it won’t even be a thought, nor will my daughter even remember it. I hope she remembers the warmth of my body and the support she had. I believe I made an impact.

When that little baby was in the manager, who knew what impact he would have. Jesus changed countless lives including my own. He bridged us with God. He made an impact.

All of this to say that we are messengers of God. We have been given gifts, talents, and song to share with others. When we look at impact, we need not to think of it on the global scale of Christ or famous people, but on the one life we touch. For that one life, a little baby, can do miraculous things.

Charge

When you celebrate your Christmas, think of that little baby. This of what impact he had on the world. Now think about all those around you on whom you have an impact. Use the gifts God has given you to be that change in the world and to know you don’t need to be famous to know you have made an impact.

Lord, let me remember tonight and the feeling of being touched by God tonight. Help me to remember my Grandpa as Harold and as a Herald of things to come. Give me the strength to not search for having a global impact, but the knowledge that the impact I make is what you want.