* Waiting for the Encore

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.

Hebrews 13:8 NLT

I remember a few years back, my grandchildren and I attended a Christmas concert performed by the Houston Brass Band, the only British-style brass band in southeast Texas (according to their website  http://houstonbrassband.org/).  We had a good time. Of course, grandchildren are a ready-made party waiting to happen!

Obviously, that night was all about the music. Some very familiar Christmas songs interspersed with some not-so-familiar ones. It was fun to watch the kids' eyes light up on songs they recognized, and it warmed my heart to see that some of the old classics were just as well known to them. It wasn't until about half-way through the concert, though, that I realized we did not share the same point of reference for knowing the songs. While my mind's eye played scenes from The Nutcracker and White Christmas (sung by none other than Bing Crosby), my grandkids were exclaiming, "That's from Home Alone!" and "That's from ELF!"

When the intermission came, they thought that was it. But it was a full concert and there remained another whole half of a concert. And even though there were a few times when I knew they'd had all the "culture" they could stand - evidenced by "How many more, Granna? " - when the band played Leroy Anderson's Sleigh Ride as their rousing encore, the kids were totally enamored by it, and it was as if that was the only song the band had played all evening, and Oh, how fun!!  They thanked me for inviting them and hugged me and told me they loved me. As we parted ways for the evening, it was then that today's Promise came flooding in.

Jesus Christ IS the same yesterday, today, and forever which makes Him relevant for all time - to all generations. There will always be a way to connect to those around us through Him, even when we don't have the same points of reference. And even when we think we have had all the experiences we can stand - we need to understand that Jesus has got a big finish planned, too. Wait till you see His encore!

Prayer:

Father,

          Thank You for the continuity of Your love that transcends time and space and keeps hearts knitted together in You. Help us to share You with those around us and in our lives. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen