MERRY CHRISTMAS from my family to you!!!
Today’s devotion is intended
to make us think a bit about how we, as Christians and followers of Jesus,
interact with the Christmas story on a regular basis. Maybe this is a parody of ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas, but it
won’t flow the same. Forgive me on that
part. But read on, and may God fill us
with Christmas celebration on a daily basis!
Luke 2:7 NLT
She gave birth to her
first child, a son. She wrapped
him snugly in strips of cloth and laid him in a manger, because there was no
lodging available for them.
‘Twas the day before
Christmas and all across the world people have prepared to celebrate this
annual holiday. Decorations abound. The music plays everywhere possible. Through the air there seems be electricity of
anticipation.
It’s not the material goods
or the presents that will be opened. It
is not the food that will be eaten or the even the conversations between people
we rarely see. It’s not even the feeling
inside after we give or share or love another person.
The reason for this
Christmas season is the Christ that was born.
He came to die. He came to give
life through His death. That seems so strange,
so out of character for a holiday celebration based upon joy and
happiness. Death isn't something we
enjoy. Life is meant to be enjoyed.
Yet the joy of life comes
when you or I find purpose. For as long
as I can remember joy has been found in sharing with others. Sharing a smile or a hug is amazing. It puts a spring in our step, extra energy in
our lives and purpose throughout our being.
It is Jesus that gives this joy and purpose.
But why is it that the
meaning of Christmas is absent from many of the celebrations across the
world? Is Santa or season twisted so
much that our Jesus cannot be seen? That
simply is not true. Christmas continues
to be a time when people listen and find real joy.
So listen close. Share His story. For many of us we are His story. The story of how God came to earth and
changed many lives including you and me.
The story of Christmas has
everything to do with people. It is not
the manger or the sheep. It is not the
presents waiting under the tree. In
fact, all of those things came into being to make a point or to light a
way. They point to and light up the
reason for this and every Christmas season.
It is Jesus that is the sole reason of Christmas.
Share with others. Don’t be shy.
They will listen at least for a minute or two. Invite someone to see from your point of view
Christmas has meaning and where you go from here.
For too many people get all
wrapped up in the stuff that misses the truth of the baby born in a barn in
that small town of Bethlehem. Many
people miss the truth that the baby born was the man who hung on a tree three
decades later who uttered so many words of life and truth and who pointed the
way.
Jesus is the child of
Christmas, the son of God and the reason for this Christmas season. Take some time today, Christmas Eve,
tomorrow, Christmas day, and every day to make Jesus your Lord and to share Him
with others. Christmas and every day
belongs to the purpose that God has given each of us … to share His life with
others!
Acts 15:11 NLT
We believe that we are all saved the
same way, by the undeserved grace
of the Lord Jesus.
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