“Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.” (1 Timothy 1:2)

Gracie was turning nine, and grinned wide-eyed with wonder at the prospect of her party. I jumped into the excited fray with her, as we strategized to decide all the delightful details for the event. Few things give me greater joy than preparing to celebrate our granddaughter’s cherished life.

That other remarkable birth day looms ahead. What delight do I experience in planning and preparing to celebrate the birthday of “the King of the ages, immortal, invisible, the only God,” who is undoubtedly worthy of “honor and glory forever and ever” (1 Timothy 1:17).

Do I know him any better now than I did a year ago? Have I been trusting him with all the details of this taxing season, where little if anything has been predictable? Has my mind been more preoccupied with our needs, disappointments, and aches than with the wonder and sufficiency of his faithfulness during this year’s roller-coaster ride?

Since, 1 Timothy declares he is “the King of the ages,” it is safe to assume that our age is ultimately under his divine authority as well, nothing escaping his notice or control. The “immortal” one’s thoughts and ways are incredibly distinct from ours. He is not held captive by our limitations or our perspectives, but soars beyond them, working all things out in spite of what appears before us.

The “only God” is unparalleled in his capacity to oversee and to orchestrate, to realign all circumstances for his great good. He is without competition and stands incomparable and exalted. And if that were not enough, at this very moment he is present with us in the peculiar pockets of our world that are filled to the brim with our particular cares and concerns. Amazing thought, indeed.

Christmas up ahead, just around the bend, brimming with much to celebrate despite the distracting headlines. It stands to reason that the one who declares “There is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all” (1 Timothy 2:5) is worthy of joyful preparation and delightful anticipation even as we walk a bit wobbly during this unpredictable season.

Elizabeth Ann Mitchell

Photo Credit: Adi Goldstein on Unsplash