December 23rd Advent day 27

Was walking down a beautiful, long, sandy and totally deserted beach in the warm sunshine this afternoon with the boys.  They were jumping in and out of the sea and collecting hundreds of pebbles and shells.  I was just wandering and thinking.   When just in front of me on a totally clear patch of sand I saw a very white, shining, smooth stone.  About the size of a kiwi fruit.  It just looked so pristine sitting there on the sand.  And I was reminded of the verses in Revelation


"Anyone with ears to hear must listen to the Spirit and understand what he is saying to the churches. To everyone who is victorious I will give some of the manna that has been hidden away in heaven. And I will give to each one a white stone, and on the stone will be engraved a new name that no one understands except the one who receives it.  Rev 2 :17


On doing a bit more research into this  I discovered a number of things.  In Biblical times white stones were significant for various reasons.  They were used as an admission ticket, they were given to special guests at feasts and festivals with messages of appreciation and praise written on them.  They were also used in the judging of the Levites as to whether they were fit for service or not.  Those passed by the sanhedrin or the judges as fit for temple service would be given a white ' stone of the temple'.
The Greeks used white stones to signify acquittal in a court case.   The Romans used to give a white stone to the victor in the public games.


Its all so interesting isnt it?   John, writing the book of Revelation, would have been aware of all of this symbolism as he saw in his vision the white stone on which was written the new name of every believer.

I wonder what my new name will be?   Im quite looking forward to having a new name.  Never been totally enamoured with the name Ive had in this life .  I can imagine that whatever it is that God decides to name me will perfectly sum up everything that I am.  ( Names are fascinating.  If you have never looked up the meaning of your name can I strongly suggest that you do so.  You might be surprised.)


What has this got to do with Christmas?   Ummmmmm......... not sure really. Except I suppose that it is the end of the story which started 2000 years ago.   A tantalising hint of what awaits us.  A symbol of all that the incarnation has achieved for us.  Our pardon, our fitness for service in the most holy place, our victory in the race of life, our place as honoured guest at the wedding feast, our entry ticket into heaven.


Thank you Lord that Your life and death purchased it all for me.  I honour and worship you this day with all I have and am.