The Christmas That Was
The Christmas That Was
It was another Christmas season, December of 1991.
The whole city of Manila was again dressed magnificently with beautiful colors everywhere. At night, the scene of the dashing sparkling lights that decorated business establishments added to the fancy and great feelings the Yuletide season bring.
Christmas was here at last!!!
During this particular year, I didn't expect a great christmas after all. Since I was just recovering from the hard blows of life, a series of broken hearts and broken dreams.1991 is one of the most tempestous years of my life. This is the year when I fought my toughest struggles in life alone . So what could be something special about this christmas? Besides, I had only very little money to enjoy the best of the holidays. I did not even have a little hint that this will be my most unforgetable Christmas.
Just about two weeks before Christmas, I was invited by a certain lovely lady to have a study of the Word with her. There was something irresistible in her invitation that I easily gave in. Then began my most memorable nights at Greenbelt Park. I didn't even have a little hint that these sessions with her would bring me into a face to face encounter with GOD.
It was indeed a "face to face" encounter with GOD. It was a appointed time I should never miss. There was no way to escape. The Word of GOD became so alive and real to me during those nights that it pierced deeply through the darkness of my heart. For the first time in my life after professing to be a christian for about seven years I saw myself as a terrible sinner.Before I used to admit that I was a sinner, but during those nights I saw myself differently. My eyes were completely opened and it seemed salves had fallen. I saw myself as a wretched, filthy rag, worthless, hopeless if God will not pour out His mercy and grace.
And then I could not help but cry in deep tears. There was no room in me for me, for self. I knew I was unclean,abased, ashamed, in need of a bath. This realization led me to confession, then repentance, then restitution. I dedicated my life to the Lord and gave my heart utterly to Him.
After this, GOD allowed me to experience the most beautiful experience a person could ever have which is the "mighty infilling of the Holy Spirit". An unspeakable joy dwelt in my heart, mere words could not describe such joy, something I had never experienced before. Life began anew for me, the whole of nature gave a new perspective. I could see the gentle love of GOD even in the most insignificant living thing such as a leaf. Love overflowed from my heart, forgiveness ruled my heart. I was released from envies, bitterness, hatred, lust, selfish ambitions and desire for self glories.
During those times, the great and awesome GOD of the Bible became so transparent to me that I had a glimpse of his heart. I have seen that the heart of GOD is exceedingly beautiful. For the first time in my life I realized how greatly I am loved by GOD. All the doubts were erased from my heart. All the rebellions brought by my frustrations were all washed away. For the first time in my life I felt that I was indeed special to GOD.
During that particular christmas season of 1991, I had no much money to enjoy the best of the holidays, no provision to buy gifts to give to friends so that I could somehow experience the spirit of the season as some says, or an enchanting romance to warm the cold nights of December. But I could testify that I could be one of the happiest person in the world at that time, for I experience the best gift of Christmas, the Lord Jesus Christ Himself. And I don't think if I could ever be the same person again. From now on I have been a worshipper of the True and Living God.
The true spirit of Christmas is WORSHIP as it was experienced by the wise men and the shepherds. During this particular season, let us withdraw for awhile from the business of the holidays and dwell in His presence to worship the Lord of Glory.
A BLESSED CHRISTMAS AND A JOYOUS NEW YEAR TO YOU !!!
In God's mercy,
Cristina
