the people of the Christmas story

I shared the following two year ago just before Christmas, and it reminds me of the wonder of this special holiday. May God bless you today and this Christmas…

The people of the Christmas stand out, as they should. Each person and each group were given a special part, but it is only Jesus who is fully God and the gift of heaven. Let’s celebrate the truth of Jesus.

Matthew 1:21 NLT

And she will have a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.

That is Jesus. That is the reason God touched humanity that was messed up almost from the beginning by one simple act of disobedience by Adam and Even. Praise God for the covering of their sin and ours.

For the rest of the people of the Christmas story we learn much. Read on…

The wise men. God came through Christ to demonstrate His love and goodness to those who are far off and to those of every class.

The shepherds. God came in Jesus to everyone. Shepherds were some of the worst smelling and worst reputation. Yet they were the first told about Jesus’ birth. Although their job was tough, most people thought very little of these people.

John the Baptist’s parents, Zacharias and Elizabeth. They were godly people. The Bible tells us that. They were older and had sought God. Their prayers were answered which reminds us that God is close to those who seek Him and answers!

Joseph. God came for this kind of special guy. He had great character and loved God. He wanted to do what was right, but that meant he had to make some tough decisions. I am glad God changed our minds and blesses our lives like He did Joseph.

Mary. She was young, a young teen most likely. God saw her heart, and what I like most about her in the story are two things. First, she was willing to be used by God. Second, after Jesus was born and people visited the Bible says she treasured all she heard and saw in her heart. We should be both willing and treasure what we learn from God.

There is a place for you and me in the Christmas story. Remember that Jesus came for you. Jesus is who we all need. He is our hope. He is our life. He is our gift to receive. He is the give to share with others.

John 3:16 NLT

“For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.

It is nine days till Christmas. May God bless you as you choose to celebrate Jesus, the meaning and reason of the Christmas season!

Have you heard of EDITH BURNS?

Edith Burns was a wonderful Christian who lived in San Antonio, Texas . She was the patient of a doctor by the name of Will Phillips. Dr. Phillips was a gentle doctor who saw patients as people. His favorite patient was Edith Burns. One morning he went to his office with a heavy heart and it was because of Edith Burns. When he walked into that waiting room, there sat Edith with her big black Bible in her lap earnestly talking to a young mother sitting beside her. Edith Burns had a habit of introducing herself in this way: "Hello, my name is Edith Burns. Do you believe in Easter?" Then she would explain the meaning of Easter, and many times people would be saved. Dr. Phillips walked into that office and there he saw the head nurse, Beverly. Beverly had first met Edith when she was taking her blood pressure. Edith began by saying,"My name is Edith Burns. Do you believe in Easter?" Beverly said, "Why yes I do." Edith said, "Well, what do you ...

wash feet, sharing hope

John 13:4-5,14 NLT So he got up from the table, took off his robe, wrapped a towel around his waist, 5 and poured water into a basin. Then he began to wash the disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel he had around him… 14 And since I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you ought to wash each other’s feet. Jesus set the example we follow. He served. He valued and gave value to others. That is why we choose to serve. For 18 years our church has shared an outreach called back2school, and for 16 of those years we have chosen to give students brand new shoes and socks as well as washing their feet. It is one of the most important parts of this event. Washing feet is a humbling experience where both the give and the receiver learn how to share some moments that might change their lives. Jesus said we should do this. See the verse above. Follow His example, do what He did, and give far more than you will ever know....

Catalyst ticket arrived

My ticket to the Catalyst Conference, in Atlanta Oct 8-10, just arrived. I'm excited!

Michael Harrison's e-devotion

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