Christmas through the eyes of a child

Matthew 19:14

­“Then Jesus said, "Leave the children alone, and don't try to keep them from coming to Me, because the kingdom of heaven is made up of people like this."

Christmas, a season traditionally exemplified by trees, ornaments, gifts, and an overall sense of charity, is overall the most expected season of all throughout the year. People of all kinds, old and young alike, can find this season to be something that they all agree on, but why is it? Is it because of family, gifts, the warmth of a familiar embrace that was not felt in a long time? Perhaps, but a shroud of darkness has fallen on what the true meaning of Christmas really is. We as Christians have kept the light that once shone above the manger of our savior burning in our hearts. Like the wise men, we too once saw the light in heaven that attracted us to the truth of the birth of our savior. But even we, as carriers of this light, have often forgotten the meaning, and this light that we cherish so much, has dimmed ever so much in our hearts, and around the world. Why did Jesus say that the kingdom of heaven, His kingdom, is made up of children? And more importantly, why did he emphasize so deeply the need for us to be like children in order to see and live in the fullness of His kingdom? Because the kingdom of heaven can only be seen through the eyes of a child. The birth of our Lord was not the beginning of a wonderful tradition but the establishment of a kingdom. The prophesy said that he would be a wonderful counselor, mighty God, everlasting father, prince of peace, and of the increase of his government there would be no end. How can this kingdom of power be seen in the eyes of a child? I can imagine that as Jesus opened his eyes for the first time in the manger, that the light that guided the wise men and shepherds to the manger, shone brightly in His eyes. That light shone so brightly in His eyes that it was the Father’s thumbprint in His life. Not only representing the birth of a king, but that where the king is, there would be light also. The light of the kingdom of heaven, the light that children see without dismay. Eyes that see the light that represents purity, kindness, love, longsuffering, unconditional trust, and a heart that gives without expecting in return. We have forgotten in our troubles how to embody many of these things. That is why Jesus in His adulthood said to his disciples the heaven is made up of children, because their eyes see in it’s purest form, the truth and result of His redemption, the embrace an unconditional love of a Heavenly father who desires communion with us. I recently had a birthday, and amidst of all the wonderful gifts and birthday wishes I received, one stood above all of them, not because of it’s material extravagance, but the extravagance of the heart that shared it. My buddy Juston, he's six years old, and aside from the soccer ball he gave me (I gave him a soccer ball at our missions banquet), he gave me a card that said, "Happy Birthday to the one that loves me, hugs me, and wants to spend time with me." This simple message from the heart of a child brought down my man-made defenses and reminded me of what's really important. We are coheirs of grace, we are chosen to rule with our Lord for eternity on High. But we will only fathom a glimpse of His eternal plan and the true meaning of Christmas in this lifetime if we have a heart that speaks the words of this child. So in this season, seek within your heart of hearts and re-ignite that light that once shone in the eyes of our Savior, see with your eyes the light that in the heart of a child in a lowly manger, became the heart of a King.

Surrender...

Surrender. Often times we use that word in relation to God. We "surrender" our will to Him or we "surrender" it all to Him. But do we really know what surrender is? The first definition of Surrender on my dictionary is, "cease resistance to an enemy or opponent and submit to their authority." Hmm... That's interesting to me given the traditional use of that word in the sense of our walk with the Lord. What I've realized through reading this is that often in our walk we see surrender as exactly what it's defined as, ceasing resistance to the enemy or our opponent, and the sad part is that because of our own shortcomings, we tend to blame the Lord, and in return, we "surrender," to His wishes and demands, as if at the end of it, His plan for us was not one that desires our ultimate benefit. My friends, this should not be so. Instead, we should search within ourselves, and ask ourselves, are we asking God to surrender? Are we trying to make Him bend to our will and make Him cease His plan for us in order for ourselves to push our agenda? Are we at times inadvertently living as enemies of God? Now friends, this is not to say that we all are doomed in our depravation and brokenness, and that we are not children of God, but this is merely a reminder to all of us, mostly myself, that God is for us. His mercy is new for us every morning. That we may not resist His love for us, but embrace it, and embrace His guidance, and correction in our lives. It says in Jeremiah 29:11 (one of the Bible's paramount verses). "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, " plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future." What a great truth... This brings comfort to my heart in knowing that the Lord has a plan for my life, and it is of joy to me to know that even when I oppose myself to Him, His love breaks through my defenses and envelops me in His light... I am so thankful for His redeeming love. My friend if there is anything that you can get out of all my rambling, I hope you come away with three things, first, human efforts cannot produce heavenly wisdom, second, live in reverence, not fear, and third, "Cast all your anxiety upon Him, because He cares for you." (1st Peter 5:7 NIV) I love you all with the love of Christ and I pray that in your walk, you see His hand working His mercy in every move you make and every breath you take! Blessings!

-Carlos

New Video Up

Hey y'all!

So many of you know... Ok some of you know... Ok, maybe the two people that read this blog... lol Know that I'm helping out with the music on Sundays at my home church in Jacksonville, Fl. I have been blessed with the chance to work with a great group of worshippers who long for God to do amazing things. Well I'm just dropping by to let you guys know that I have a new video up! I got a chance to sing Then he bowed his head and died, it was a great powerful service! Anyways hope you guys enjoy it, and if you're ever in the Jacksonville area, come out and worship with us! Love y'all!

-Carlos

youtube

Hey friends,

So I was going to post a link to youversion for my scripture reference but, their server seems to be down, so I'll just post it right here.

Ephesians 5

"¹⁵Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, ¹⁶making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil."

What a true scripture. I often wonder how it's possible for me to do this. To live in wisdom, I know that if I ask for it, God will be faithful to give me wisdom to live, but what if even when you are living a life of surrender, in God-given wisdom, and things still go wrong? You ask yourself, "God, why is this happening to me?" You might relate to the psalm where the psalmist shares of how his enemies are prospering yet he seems to be in a constant state of distress... Why me Lord...? How can we stay in wisdom, within these evil days, even when everything goes wrong when we are doing everything right?

Just yesterday, I sang the tenor role for the Mozart Coronation Mass in C (no violas... yippee... I mean... ;) ) And over the weekend I got this sinus infection that just wouldn't go away... For those of you who sing out there you know that if your nose is stuffy, it's nearly impossible to sing because it feels weird, and it sounds weird. My folks were in town and while we went out to lunch, I begrudgingly asked my dad, "Dad, why does this always happen to me?' I always get sick for my big performances." I say this because several times before I've had to cancel important musical events because I've gotten sick. Surprisingly enough, my dad simply responded, "So that God can be glorified." I got so upset at my dad for the short response and cutting response. Because I thought, "God is always glorified, whether I'm sick or not, I always try to live humbly before Him, and give Him the glory, why is this time any different?" And I guess I don't have any answers for it, but just to know that the rain falls on the just and the unjust, and that can be taken in two ways, the healing rain falls on both believers and non-believers, but also, the acid rain of this life falls on us both, but at the end of the day, GOD IS SOVEREIGN. He needs not explain why He does the things He does because everything that He does works for my good in one way or another. And I trust Him in all He does even if I don't understand. Well to finish the story, I was able to sing last night, and although it wasn't the easiest that I've done it, I relied less on myself and more on Him. I surrendered myself to Him and He worked through me. People didn't even notice that I was sick. Glory be to God. So I guess the only way that I've realized that I can live in wisdom is to acknowledge that human efforts cannot produce heavenly wisdom, and that I just have to acknowledge and boast in my sufferings and infirmities, that Christ power may rest on me. Love you guys!

-Carlos

S.D.G.

http://read.ly/Matt26.39.ASV

Sacrifice,

Jesus fell on his face and asked for His father's perfect will... His soul was weary even to the point of death... Makes me wonder very often, How was he able to carry the task in front of Him... I admit that in my own humanity that many times I have failed in completing the tasks that God has placed in my heart. My true desire is to be able to fall on my face and even though my heart may be heavy, that I may pray, "Thy kingdom come, thy will be done..." In my heart... So be encouraged my friends, for even our saviour Jesus was weary in His mission, but He overcame this world, and through Him, so can I, and so can you. Love you all!

-Carlitos

New Website!

Hello to ALL my web friends! I hope that you are all well, just updating ya with the fact that I have a new site up! Called www.carlosgsantiago.com, with new ways to keep connected like facebook and twitter, also new videos for y'all to enjoy! Alright, till the next time I see you guys! blessings!

-Carlito