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a christmas list

 


Isaiah 7:14  NLT  

All right then, the Lord himself will give you the sign. Look! The virgin will conceive a child! She will give birth to a son and will call him Immanuel (which means ‘God is with us’). 


The Christmas season is one that most of us look forward to.  But if we take a look at all the details and happening we might second guess the excitement and even the joy.

It really is all about Jesus, yet the world and often even Christians have made the holiday something it is not.  May we change this reality to point us all and others back to God and to the reason for the Christmas season.


That is why I stop today (and next week).  That is stop these e-devotions because I will be on a mission trip in Cuba with limited connectivity.  There might be some updates via the e-devotion minute on FaceBook a few nights, but there will not be email or written devotions.


Lets take some time today to make a Christmas list.  What are the things this season is are important to me and I am excited about?


First, I am excited about family.  We are planning some special time together in just a couple weeks.  All our kids in one place for a few days.  It is going to be awesome.


Second, I am excited about time with our grand children.  I love, love, love these little ones and enjoy time with them.  What a blessing to see them smile, have fun and enjoy new things.


Third, serving others is always on my list.  That will come with meeting specific needs or sharing some gifts or having some important conversations.


Fourth, it is always great to spend time with friends and our church during Christmas with food or special worship and more.


Fifth and maybe the most important, I enjoy the focus on Jesus and the freedom to talk with others about Jesus.  Many will accept an invite to church or a church event when they wouldn’t at any other time.  Even better is to take some quiet time to focus on the real meaning of the season.


Stop.  Make your Christmas list.  Make it count more than ever.


Please pray for me and the team I will be serving with in Cuba over the next 9 days, and thank you for making much of Jesus this Christmas season.


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.


You are invited to be part of The Community Fellowship’s Christmas Devotional reading.  Get the reading by downloading a free copy: https://store.paultripp.com/products/everyday-gospel-christmas-devotional-ebook or using the BIBLE APP: https://www.bible.com/en/reading-plans/52502

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