Hallmark Christmas Specials...
Why do I watch them…to the end, no matter how many twists and turns may happen throughout the story…
Because I experience…
Peace in the midst of uncertainty
Peace in the midst of absurdity
Peace in the midst of calamity….
Why?
Because I know how the story will end...
Happily Ever After!
Hallmark Specials, The Happily Ever After tales for grown ups.
Curious me looked up the word "Hallmark", and then it all made sense.
Hallmark: to put a seal upon, certifying the highest standard of purity.
Sealed.
Hallmarked
“ In the ancient world, a seal was used to identify and to protect. If something was sealed, everyone knew who it belonged to (the seal had an insignia), and the seal prevented anyone else from tampering with the item.” (Guzik)
This Baby was born to Hallmark you and me.
To put a seal upon us, stamped with the perfect insignia...
An inherited birthright status through Jesus Christ.
Our Birthright…
Belonging to This Baby who was born to give us
the guaranteed ending to our story…
Our Happily Ever After…
“Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to ALL people.” Luke 2:10
"For behold", to excite to attention...
Bringing GOOD Tidings (news), of the coming kingdom of God,
JESUS..the way to salvation.
FOR ALL PEOPLE...
The Baby who came for all....
mother, sister, father, brother,
husband, wife, niece, nephew,
grandmother, grandfather, grandchild
teacher, care giver, friend and student...
TO BE Clothed with Joy, not fear...
Because
It is finished...
We have a guaranteed future no matter what we may be going through.
Sealed with a Happily Ever After Ending to all our stories....
THE JOY OF WHAT IS TO COME BECAUSE WHAT JESUS HAS DONE...
because of The Baby who grew up and became and The Risen Man.
No fear...No more sorrow, no more tears, into the prefect eternity with Him.
What has stolen your joy, or is stealing your joy from today...
is it an illness, a prodigal son or daughter, financial burden, a relationship, or just plain ole life?
How does the truth that you WILL live Happily Ever After, GUARANTEED,
bring you joy in your present circumstances?
Hallmarked
What if you daily lived your life, no matter what the twists and turns in your story,
with your eyes focused on your guaranteed ending?
How would your perspective change?
Would you be filled with Peace?
And this is no ordinary peace. It is the peace that “transcends all understanding”.
The peace that The Baby brings into your heart.
Live today with your eyes Fixed on your Happily After Ending…
Eyes fixed on The Baby…on Jesus….
And experience His Peace in whatever Chapter you may be in
Because you know how your story ends!
"...Now we live with great expectation, and we have a priceless inheritance—an inheritance that is kept in heaven for you, pure and undefiled, beyond the reach of change and decay. And through your faith, God is protecting you by his power until you receive this salvation, which is ready to be revealed on the last day for all to see. So be truly glad.There is wonderful joy ahead, even though you must endure many trials for a little while.
I Peter 1:3-6
"...He anointed us, set his seal of ownership on us, and put his Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come...." 2 Corinthians 1:21-22