Nice Words

“Your word, O Lord, is eternal; it stands firm in the heavens. Your faithfulness continues through all generations; you established the earth, and it endures.”—-Psalm 119:89-90

My mom tells the story of her pastor’s recent Children’s Message. The pastor showed the children a Christmas card and asked, “What is in a Christmas card?”

The children thought, and a boy answered, “Words.”

Silence, more thinking.

A little girl said, “Nice words.”

The congregation chuckled and the pastor went on to share the nice words in the Christmas card. She gave them each a card and told them they could look at it anytime and remember the peace of the baby Jesus was always with them.

I’ve been pondering that little girl’s response of “Nice words.” Christmas cards are designed to share nice words, aren’t they? Have you ever seen a Christmas card that wishes people a miserable holiday, bad cheer, and an ugly New Year? I haven’t. (Maybe a card like that would come from the Grinch, I don’t know….) Sometimes words take time to sink in….in the rush of the season, we may open our cards, hastily read the message inside, then move on with life.

The beauty of God’s “nice words” in the Good News is that they are forever. Not just at Christmas, but for always. God, through Jesus Christ, reminds us daily with His nice words—“You are forgiven.” “You are loved.” “You are my precious child.” “You are not condemned.” “You will have my richest gifts.” “You are mine.” “My word gives you life.”  The Bible contains pages and pages of nice words that God has spoken to us.

What “nice words” do you need to hear this Christmas season? Open your heart and mind to the words of Christ. Hear His gentle voice. Sense His loving presence. Let the words sink in……And then go and share those nice words with someone who needs to hear them most.

Prayer–“Gracious God, thank you for your nice words to me in your word. Help me to hear them always and not just let them go in one ear and out the other. Empower me to share those words of grace and mercy with others this season. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.”