“It seems, then,” said Tirian, smiling to himself, “that the Stable seen from within and the Stable seen from without are two different places.”

“Yes,” said the Lord Digory. “Its inside is bigger than its outside.”

“Yes,” said Queen Lucy. “In our world too, a Stable once had something inside it that was bigger than our whole world.”

It was the first time she had spoken, and from the thrill in her voice Tirian now knew why. She was drinking everything in more deeply than the others. She had been too happy to speak.

C.S. Lewis, The Last Battle 

“Wrong will be right, when Aslan comes in sight,
At the sound of his roar, sorrows will be no more,
When he bares his teeth, winter meets its death,
And when he shakes his mane, we shall have spring again.”
–C.S. Lewis, “The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe”

I think there is no other story so compelling, so beautiful, than the true story of God’s love for us. It can be retold in different ways, as some brilliant and creative souls have done.

I love the thought of something bigger than the whole world contained in a tiny manger stall. I love that Jesus came as a humble baby, not born in great wealth or circumstances. I love that the works and miracles Jesus performed and all that he did cannot be contained in any number of books, that ink in the world would run dry before it were all told. The oceans themselves are a testimony to the depth of Who he is. It is unfathomable to my human brain.

At Christmas, a story is told, and I defy all logic and common sense and regard it as true. I know it to be true, and so do many other sane adults. This faith and belief is a supernatural gift that is not explained by those who do not wish to understand, by those who wish to deny or disbelieve. A creed is only as good as the ink it is written– it can be erased. But truth? The truth cannot be hidden or erased… nor will it be denied. Truth bubbles up to the surface of any pit of lies.

I celebrate this gift, which the season allows me to do in plain sight of everybody. Sadly, many do not know why this holiday is so special. For many in our culture, it is about the superfluous and extraneous parts (the gifts, the decorations, the treats, etc.)… but not about the true Person.  We have drifted far from the center of where we began; indeed, we as a country, and we as a people of the world. We have moved and I’m not sure how far away we are from Eden now. Flaming swords still keep us out, but those who wish to seek Him will still find Him.

And at the end of this year, 2012, I reach #1000 on my list– my list of thankfulness, which I began on March 7, 2011, right here. I didn’t know when I’d reach this point. It seems fitting it is at the end of a year, as I look ahead to the new corner. I will continue writing in my own private journal, keeping up with the little and big things God does and is, and this blog will continue on and wend its way on the net.

Wishing you a Merry Christmas as you celebrate the big gift of God’s love in a small, humble stable, may He richly bless you in the days and year ahead!

Sharing at A Holy Experience, counting to from 980 to 1000:

980. watching The Hobbit
981. children’s skit
982. Christmas concert with cellos and violins
983. Christmas eve service
984. Taking a walk in the park at night after the first snow with a few friends
985. Prayer
986. Big Christmas party – outreach event to others in the community
987. Attending a surprise party for someone else
988. a spontaneous pajama day
989. basketball games
990. Christmas cookies
991. taking a picture of the kids by a gigantic Christmas tree at the mall
992. anticipation
993. a camera… a most delightful gift!! A very special, long awaited, much anticipated, gift.
994. crackling fire in the fireplace
995. God’s forgiveness
996. thinking about what someone else would enjoy
997. a snow day
998. celebrating my daughter’s birthday on Dec. 24, a special Christmas gift
999. a surprise gift card
1000. a stable, 2000 years ago, containing something bigger than the whole world