Get Your Eyes Up!

"Get your eyes UP!"  That was a the mantra of last week of ski lesssons I had some 35 years ago.  Those were the words Spike, our instructor, would continually say during the week of our group lesson.  Our group was pretty advanced, we could ski the whole mountain, but needed a little polish you might say.  Spike's relentless critique spoke a truth.  Most of us concentrated on the nearing changes in the slope, but that wouldn't allow us to progress with confidence as our speeds increased on the harder slopes.  We needed to look much further ahead to be able to react in time.

You can experience the same thing while driving.  You are taught to look well down the road.  You get your eyes looking far ahead to anticipate the potential dangers and obstacles.  The faster you travel, the further down the road you should be looking.

In this world as things move as ever increasing speeds, I need to remind myself of the life lesson from Spike; Get your eyes up.  Think about it.  Even going back in time some two thoushand years ago, most plowed the land right in front of them.  There were also those that had their eyes up.  The Maji watched the stars travel across the skies, and they knew of a cosmic event when they saw one.  The miracle of Christ, born in Bethlehem.

I was reminded today by our Reverend that "Jesus is the reason for the season,"  and it's true.  The observation seems to be that it's more of the reason for the day.  We have the run-up of Black Friday, and on-line Tuesday with the hustle and bustle.  The attempt to buy the perfect gift for that special someone, or the time making the perfect piece of art, or maybe the meal and deserts all leading to the perfect day.

Hopefully, we've all had the chance to experience a moving church service over this weekend.  It may have been a choir singing, a candle lit sanctuary with all singing Silent Night, or maybe a Children's Program complete with little angels.  Then Christmas arrives.  We celebrate with family and friends, and the day passes like so many others.  Perhaps we take the next few days up to the New Year to continue the revelry.

The Tweleve days of Christmas have just started!  My lovely wife reminded us of that this morning.  Her new tradition is to give us one gift each of the twelve days.  I was surprised, a little disappointed (cause I'm not very patient), and then pleased.  I realize I have a hard time getting my eyes up for more than a day.

I think I need to follow the example of the Maji, and realize the majesty of God shines all around us.  We need to keep watch for what God is doing.  We celebrate His coming to earth as a lowly, helpless babe this day, but dare we keep Him in mind more than a day or season?  My prayer this day is that I keep Jesus as more than the reason for the season.  That I get my eyes up and know He is the reason for my life and salvation, not for a day, not a season, but for eternity.