Begin with two minutes of silence and stillness before God.
Have you ever been denied entry somewhere? You’re having fun and exploring, and suddenly, you’re met with “restricted area,” “members only,” or, the one I fall victim to the most, “you must be this tall to ride.” (I’m just kidding. That hasn’t happened to me…super often…)
It really takes the wind out of your sails. For a brief moment, you’re transported back to 7th grade, with the words of the mean girls reverberating in your mind – “you can’t sit with us…” I’m so thankful Jesus has different standards.
Some of my favorite lyrics of all time come from the hymn, “My Hope is Built on Nothing Less.” Verse 2 says, “When darkness veils His lovely face, I rest on His unchanging grace; in every high and stormy gale, my anchor holds within the veil.”
I sang these words for years before really digging into their meaning. “Within the veil,” through the Old Testament lens, refers to the inner sanctuary where God dwelled; the most sacred place. In other words, a place off-limits to anyone but the high priest.
Enter Jesus. “Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus, by the new and living way that He opened for us through the curtain, that is, through His flesh…let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith…”
Not only can we enter God’s presence, but we can enter confidently– not tiptoeing, hesitating, or rubbernecking for security guards – because, through Jesus, we have every right to be there.
You can’t really celebrate the Christmas season without also looking toward the cross. Because He was born, He died. And because He died, we are qualified. And because He rose, we have confidence and assurance of eternal life with Him.
I love verse 23 – “Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful.” For me, “hold fast,” evokes an image of a faithful, unwavering embrace. In the busyness of whatever today holds for you, hold onto Him. Follow Him into the most sacred place, because you're not only allowed but you’re invited.
Take two minutes to reflect in silence.