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2020-02-26 to 28 Pictures: Charleston, South Carolina

One of the few upsides of having to cancel our Spring Break trip last March at the onset of the pandemic is that we are "stuck" with a rather large voucher from one of those discount airlines. Last autumn, Tricia and I spent a weekend in Savannah, Georgia and had a...

A John 3:16 Craft for Kids

John 3:16 is one of the most well known and reassuring verses in the Bible. For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.John 3:16 (NIV) The following is a little craft I threw...

2020-03-01 Pictures: Lyndsey’s College Signing Day

This afternoon Lyndsey made it official, signing her letter of intent to play college basketball for the Hiram College Terriers starting next year. While she made the decision and committed to Hiram before Christmas, she has been looking forward to this day since her...

2020-02-13 Pictures: Lyndsey’s 18th Birthday

I am little behind on posting photos. These are some of my favorites from a couple of weekends ago when we got a chance to celebrate Lyndsey's 18th birthday. It's hard to believe that my little girl is officially an adult. It was nice to have the family all back...

What is DOCTRINE?

Introduction I love working with kids, and I love teaching them hard concepts in ways they can understand. To that end, for years I have been working on a dictionary of theological terms for kids and teens. In sharing those definitions, there seemed no better place to...

If You Want It Done Right

In all likelihood, you know how the phrase ends: If you want it done right, DO IT YOURSELF! This is a bit of a mantra for me, and frankly, something that I struggle with daily both in leadership and in my Christian walk.  In theory, this is easy to accept. ...

What Does God Hate?

This is the little and humble post that started it all. I happened to be reading through my Bible, and this passage impacted me so much that I posted a little blurb about it on Facebook. That was July 28, 2008, and I've been writing and sharing ever since. (Maybe...

Heirlooms (December 18)

Dec18To view the entire 2011 Christmas Carol Advent check out our Christmas Carol Advent index page.

Video

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2T6lkhX7Nvw

Story Behind the Song

Written by Amy Grant, Brown Bannister and Bob Farrell. This song was first performed by Amy Grant and appeared on her 1983 Christmas album appropriately titled A Christmas Album.

Commentary & Analysis

It so happens that this is one of my personal favorites when it comes to Christmas music.

Heirlooms starts with some personal reflection on how we got here in the first place. To ignore our history, those who have come before us, is to ignore a piece of ourselves. Christmas is a great time to remember and reflect upon those who have paved the way in our families. Like all memories though, the song reminds us that this process will bring both laughter and tears. In the hustle and bustle of Christmas, it is critical that we take some time to remember what is really important, and the first couple verses remind us that family has to be near the top of that list.

So why only near the top of the list and not on the top of the list? The last two verses address what should always be at the top of our list – Jesus. Don’t let Jesus become an heirloom. Don’t allow His salvation to be some distant memory that you recall once a year or once every couple years. Jesus is our Lord and Savior. He is alive, and He will come back again. Every day, we must try to harness that same sense of awe, that same sense of relief, that same sense of adoration that we experienced at the moment of our salvation. This Christmas, pull Jesus down from the attic of your life and put him back in His rightful place as Lord and King.

Questions for Further Reflection / Devotion

  1. What are some of your favorite Christmas memories?
  2. Do you have any Christmas traditions that have been passed down from generation to generation?
  3. Pull out an old photo album and spend some time telling your kids about your own family history?
  4. Do you remember what it felt like the moment Christ saved you? Do you still feel that same love for Jesus and passion for others to know Him?
  5. How can you make Jesus more than an Heirloom to you?

Lyrics

Up in the attic
Down on my knees
Lifetimes of boxes
Timeless to me
Letters and photographs
Yellowed with years
Some bringing laughter
Some bringing tears

Time never changes
The memories, the faces of loved ones, who bring to me
All that I come from
And all that I live for
And all that I’m going to be
My precious family
Is more than an heirloom to me

Wiseman and shepherds
Down on their knees
Bringing their treasures
To lay at his feet
Who was this wonder baby yet king
Living and dying
He gave life to me

Time never changes
The memory, the moment His love first pierced through me
Telling all that I come from
And all that I live for
And all that I’m going to be
My precious savior
Is more than an heirloom to me

My precious Jesus Is more than an heirloom to me

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