Simplicity – Simple made wise

Psalm 19:7 “The instructions of the LORD are perfect, reviving the soul.  The decrees of the LORD are trustworthy, making wise the simple. ”

Psalm 119:130 “The teaching of your word gives light, so even the simple can understand.”

When I hear the word simplicity – I am immediately reminded of the “Simplicity” patterns that my mom and I would look through to find the perfect dress for Easter.  She would pour over these patterns and then she would create.  She was an excellent seamstress!  Sewing was her creative outlet.  It made her happy to sew!  My mom never had a college education.  She lived a simple life of a farmers wife and yet give her a complex pattern and look out.  I remember her looking at clothing in a magazine or seeing someone wear a cute outfit and then coming home – taking newspaper and laying it out on the table where she would draw what she had seen and cut out a pattern to replicate the outfit. Amazing!  I wore some of those creations.  Sadly, I didn’t always wear them proudly but I wore them.  Now at this season of my life and hers, I can see how incredibly simple but very intelligent and complex she really was.  She wanted me to sew. I hated it!  It drove and still drives me crazy!  I can sew but if you live me- you don’t want me to sew.

Simplicity is also a term that can encompass purity and clarity.  When I think about Mary, the mother of Jesus, I think about these two words.  Her response to an angel, “I am the Lord’s servant.  May everything you have said about me come true.”  (Luke 1:38)   I think about Joseph I can see these two words. When the angel visited him in a dream and gave instructions in regard to Mary.  “He woke up, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded and took Mary as his wife.”  (Matthew 1:24) When I think about Jesus, I think about the words, purity and clarity.  Beginning in the manger he was pure and perfect without sin, blameless, the perfect lamb.  He lived as a man with great clarity and simplicity but with very real purpose.  He knew why He was on this earth.  He knew His mission and He set His face like flint toward the cross.

May we simply celebrate Christmas this year!  It was anything but simple – but HE is the PURE reason for the season!  Merry Christmas!  Praise the Name of our Savior!