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the celebration begins // Monday E-Devotion

“We consider Christmas as the encounter, the great encounter, the historical encounter, the decisive encounter, between God and mankind. He who has faith knows this truly; let him rejoice.” ~~ POPE PAUL VI

Don’t you just love this holiday? We walk out our door last evening and notice our neighbors and their decorations. Some are vivid colors that blink and others are white and simple. Yet all of them are the same, a celebration of that encounter.

How will we get others to have that encounter this Christmas Season? In what ways will I lead my family, co-workers and friends to experience Jesus in the next month? Does it even matter? The answer is YES. So, what are we going to do about it?

Jesus came not to give us a sweet holiday filled with festivities and time off. It is a time to be with family but not just for gifts. This season and all it is about leads us to what life is all about (and I remind us to think and re-think this)…it is not about me but about Jesus. It is all about Him. Jesus came to change the world, give opportunity to people like you and me and fill our lives with purpose.

“For even I, the Son of Man, came here not to be served but to serve others, and to give my life as a ransom for many.” Matthew 20:28 (NLT)

“For the law was given through Moses; God's unfailing love and faithfulness
came through Jesus Christ.” John 1:17 (NLT)

“God did not send his Son into the world to condemn it, but to save it.” John 3:17 (NLT)

Pilate replied, “You are a king then?” (Jesus said) “You say that I am a king, and you are right,”
Jesus said. “I was born for that purpose. And I came to bring truth to the world. All who love the truth recognize that what I say is true.” John 18:37 (NLT)

It is time to make your Christmas count big time. What will you do to make your home, your office, your church and yourself point to Jesus this season?

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