Have you ever seen a geode? It is usually an ugly round rock, rough and dull on the outside, but when broken open, it can reveal sparkling crystals, beautiful minerals, layers of gorgeous colors.
How many of us feel like a geode? Sometimes we feel so ugly and rough on the outside or around the edges, but when we open up our souls to faith and our hearts to sharing God's love, we get a whole new view. We have great beauty within, and layers of amazing colors that reflect God and his love for us and all mankind.
The life of Christ is much like a geode. He was born in a cave-like structure where the animals were kept, and laid in a manger. Lowly beginnings, rough and colorless:
While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them. Luke 2:6-7 NIV
However, as his story unfolds, it becomes apparent that there is much more to him than meets the eye at first glance. This baby, born in a dirty stable and laid in a feed trough, growing up as a carpenter's son, becomes the greatest man to ever walk the face of this earth. This perfect man and perfect God turns out to be the most beautiful gift of love anyone could ever imagine.
May we all remember the humble beginnings of Jesus as we celebrate at Christmas his birth on earth, knowing that by his life, death and resurrection we are forgiven and redeemed children of God who will live in the beauty of heaven with him forever. Rough rock to gorgeous gem. Even if we feel our lives lack luster on the outside, we can take comfort in knowing our awesome God lives within our hearts and is forming a beautiful soul inside each and every one of us!
written by Jan Andersen
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