Leadership Connexion Winter 2022

BONGIORNO CONFERENCE CENTER | Carl Redding | 717.243.7381 | credding@bccretreats.com
385 MILES
PER HOUR
It was a sight to behold… I can’t fully wrap my mind around
what that very fi rst Christmas looked like. I know it must
have been so many things. I am certain that those involved
all had their own perception of what it was like. I love that we
can gather a glimpse through different eyes as we read the
various authors of the gospels. It’s always interesting to me to
see and hear the perception of others and what truly excites
them. My grandpa often had a different perspective on life
and situations that offered challenges. He would say things
like “pull up a rock” which typically meant grab that bucket,
fl ip it upside down, have a seat and we will talk through it
while I kept doing whatever it was that had his attention.
There was always something on the farm that needed to be
fi xed and there was always work to be done during daylight
hours. I loved that he was willing to take time with me
though, off ering just the right perspective that was drafted
throughout his years on this earth.
He loved taking me to air shows, where we would wait with
bated breath for the P-51 Mustangs to make their debut.
He knew all the stats on just about anything that we saw.
Grandpa would often rattle off information that no one
else knew or was even interested in: “These Mustangs are
equipped with an Allison V-1710-81 engine and a threebladed
Curtiss Electric constant-speed propeller and just
listen to that 1250 horsepower engine purr!” “Look at
that” (Behold!) as they did a low pass flyby in
formation; he would “lean in” and listen to them
as goosebumps covered his arms. His love of fl ying
was contagious and instilled in me a hunger to see more
vintage airplanes and the awe and wonder that accompanied
anything capable of soaring into the wild blue sky. As we
walked up on the group of Mustangs that had just landed
and were now being offered as conversation pieces, the
engines still hot from the fl ight, we would walk as close as we
could get and say… “Behold!” Well, that’s essentially what
happened. Not in those words but he was so excited to get
close, feel the heat coming from that Allison motor, see the
texture of the wings and the smell of the exhaust still radiating
from the now stationary powerhouse capable of 385 miles
per hour.
If Grandpa was that excited about an airplane, can you go
with me to that moment in time when the King of Kings
and Lord of Lords was lying in a manger following a wild
sequence of events? The announcement of His birth to
several diff erent individuals, the Virgin Mary and her soon-tobe
husband, Joseph, and all of the emotions that came with
this baby’s arrival, their journey, the census and their arrival in
the lowly manger. I can imagine as it is recalled in Luke 2:10
when the Angel proclaimed, “Behold, I bring you good
tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.”
He was saying “LOOK” or please take a moment to see, feel
and hear what’s happening! Behold, listen up, look at this,
hear ye, hear ye, your attention, please! However you want
to articulate it, this proclamation of excitement was to get
our attention. In the same way 2 Corinthians 5:17 “Behold,
ALL things have become new” contains the very
same Greek word used here (idou) speaking of the new life
following the salvation of the sinner. Look and listen (behold),
this is the greatest of miracles that you can experience today
in your life! Can we “Behold” or pay attention this Christmas?
Not because you feel like you have to, but because it’s your
heart’s desire. Will you pause with me for a moment, close
yourself into this knowledge that Jesus came for you, and
listen to what He’s speaking to you? Grandpa was not
afraid to get close and “Behold,” are you? I pray that
you have an incredible Christmas with your family.
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