“Grace upon grace..” John 1:16
Lord Jesus, the affirmation “grace upon grace” is always precious to us and needed—especially during the end of the year stretch. Every Christmas season is pregnant with sweet memories, emotional drama, stockpiled trauma, the risks of hope—all assumed in your commitment to give us fresh grace and more grace. Thank you.
You know our heart-state and life-stressors as we enter the last two weeks of 2025. In the metaphor of movies, we dream of experiencing the final, heart-warming scene in the movie “It’s a Wonderful Life”— or the quirkiness, snow, and fun of “Christmas in Connecticut.” Some of us are bracing for our family’s version of “Cousin Eddie” and the bedlam of “Christmas Vacation.” Others of us would do well to get a visit from “Elf” and his larger-than-life joy.
As for me, Charlie Brown’s needle-dropping tree, with a kind dog, carols, smallness, and a few friends, would do quite well this year. For I’m feeling a bit like Scrooge with a small “h” Humbug attitude; or like Ralphie’s grumpy dad in A Christmas Story—on edge, triggerable, and not the most fun to be with right now.
Because the Gospel is true—we don’t have to pretend, deny, or minimize things. Because the Gospel is good—we can humble ourselves, repent, and collapse on Jesus. Because the Gospel is beautiful—we can risk hoping, loving, and get the help we need. Jesus, we know your “grace upon grace” is the resolution but show each of us what our core issues and needs are right now.
Jesus, thank you for coming to make your blessings flow “far as the curse is found.” You do your best work where sin does its worst. By your Spirit, sabotage our pity-parties and whine-fests—our penchant to blame others and make excuses. You resist the proud but give “grace upon grace” to the humble. The last thing we want is your resistance, Jesus, so here’s to “getting low.” So Very Amen.
