We work together with God, and we beg you to make good use of God's kindness to you. In the Scriptures God says,
"When the time came, I listened to you, and when you needed help, I came to save you." That time has come. This is the day for you to be saved. We don't want anyone to find fault with our work, and so we try hard not to cause problems. But in everything and in every way we show that we truly are God's servants. We have always been patient, though we have had a lot of trouble, suffering, and hard times…Stay away from people who are not followers of the Lord! Can someone who is good get along with someone who is evil? Are light and darkness the same? Is Christ a friend of Satan? Can people who follow the Lord have anything in common with those who don't? Do idols belong in the temple of God? We are the temple of the living God, as God himself says, "I will live with these people and walk among them. I will be their God, and they will be my people." 2 Corinthians 6:1-4, 14-16During this time of the year when people look to the Christ Child as a symbol of peace, we need to remember to keep the focus on Him. We need to remember that it is not about the boxes, the fancy lights or parties we attend but it is about Christ coming to save us! Yes, to bring Peace on Earth, and all that the song sings, but it is so much more. God wants us to use this time of year to spread the Gospel message.
A little child was in the news this week for drawing a picture of what Christmas looked like to him. He drew a cross and a stick figure dead on it. The public school he attended had a field day. They called in school psychologists. Reporters came to interview the family and they suspended him for drawing a dead person.
Jesus on the cross, first of all, should have been obvious to the teacher. Secondly, this is a child’s stick person drawing. We can get uptight and rage about this or we can use it for God’s glory. This little child had the message! He put it out there on the media with his little drawing. Think of how many people thought about the connection between “baby Jesus” and “the crucifixion” this week that would not have otherwise? He had the right idea in drawing his picture; the cross has everything to do with Christmas. He stood separate from his peers in this and is moving on to a new school but just as the disciples had to suffer for the good of the kingdom this little child is walking in wisdom and being used for good.
And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28He could have drawn a Santa Clause like everyone else probably did, but he chose to draw Jesus. Are you choosing Jesus this year? Are you passing out cards with cute little pictures of Christmas crafts or are you passing out cards with Jesus’ message attached? Now is the time, today is the day and this is the hour that God has brought you, me, all of us to in order that we should share His story!
We generally spread our Christmas thoughout the day. We share the Gospel and we have, in most years, watched our children act out the nativity in their own way. This has been funny some years but they get the point across.
This year we will gather with friends and share the songs of the Gospel as we walk around our neighborhood. Perhaps we will get to share more with someone, or at least spark a desire to know who He is - this little Christ Child who came to save the world, to make straight the crooked paths, and to bring water into the dessert places of our hearts and lives.
Who can we tell today? Who can we share with this week? I’ve got to tell somebody what Jesus has done for me this week! Join me in sharing my story. Just share with someone next to you about what He is doing in your life. Don’t you just feel like a bubble ready to burst? He has done so much for you this year, share it!
If you are alive and reading these words you have something to shout about. We all do. Jesus is the reason for the season, for all seasons. He is the reason we have life. Each day we need to recall that He chose to give us a new day and see what we can do with it.
I trust you all will have a Merry Christmas, even if you sit alone at your computer sipping tea or cocoa and relishing the fact you have the world at your fingertips. Rejoice for your redeemer is near to you! Put on praise music and start rejoicing in His presence today.
Let's not stress over what gifts we have or do not have for one another or our kids, but let's take the time to rejoice about the Gift that keeps on giving, the gift of Life Eternal. Let's rejoice this week if for no other reason than to stomp on the devil’s plans to stress the world out over finances and fancies; let’s just praise His name!
Shout for joy to God, all the earth; sing the glory of his name; give to him glorious praise! Say to God, "How awesome are your deeds! So great is your power that your enemies come cringing to you. All the earth worships you and sings praises to you; they sing praises to your name." Selah. Psalm 66:-3Jesus, Jesus, Jesus we love you! We thank you for this season. We thank you for the joy unspeakable we can feel when we are in your presence, no matter what the circumstances. Help us to spread that joy around this week and rejoice in Your presence each moment of each day. It's not about boxes or bags, or Santas or tags, but it's all about You, Lord. Thank you for coming for us all. In Jesus' name, amen.
Suggested readings: Luke 2:all; Psalm 66:1-20; Psalm 81:all; Psalm 95:1; Psalm 96:12; Isaiah 48:1-22.