Yesterday, I heard someone say, “I’m excited about going to church this weekend for Christmas.”
Then they said something that made my heart skip a beat.They said, “But I wish I could hear a new message.”
ME: What do you mean? It’s Christmas. It will be the Christmas story.”
They said, “I know. But it’s boring. It’s the same story every Christmas.”
When they saw my face fall and turn about 3 sheets of white, they quickly said, “You know what I mean…”
Sadly, I think they were just expressing what many of us feel this time of year. Our expectations are raised too high, we expect a lot, and we want something new and exciting to entertain us - bells and whistles and shiny ornaments and bright lights.
But, like I told this friend:
“There is nothing more exciting than the Christmas story. How can the fact that the God of the universe, who is Spirit, took on flesh and became Immanuel, God with us, be boring? The greatest part of the story is that He loved us (easily bored, distracted, and fickle people) so much that he humbled himself to come as a baby and in 33 short years he changed the world. He died a gruesome death for us, to take our place, so we can have eternal life with the Father.”
Christmas is all about salvation. Maybe in all the hoopla of Christmas, with the gifts and decorations, we forget the simplicity of the Christmas message. Maybe we miss the awesomeness of the gift Jesus wants to give us because it's not brightly packed with ribbons and glitter. It’s not placed beneath a beautifully decorated Christmas tree with all the trimmings but it is placed under a plain, rough, rugged cross, blood stained, and nail pierced.
SO, HERE IS THE CHRISTMAS STORY
Once upon a time, 2000+ years ago, God, our Savior, showed His kindness and love. He saved us, not because of the good things we do, but because of His mercy. Daily, He washes away our sins and gives us a new life through the Holy Spirit. He generously pours out the Spirit upon us because of what Jesus Christ our Savior did. He declares us not guilty because of His great kindness.
And now we know we will inherit eternal life.
These things are all trustworthy and true. (Titus 3:4-8)
What a God we have! And how fortunate we are to have him, this Father of our Master Jesus! Because Jesus was raised from the dead, we’ve been given a brand-new life and have everything to live for, including a future in heaven—and the future starts now! God is keeping careful watch over us and the future. The Day is coming when you’ll have it all—life healed and whole.
You never saw him, yet you love him. You still don’t see him, yet you trust him—with laughter and singing. Because you kept on believing, you’ll get what you’re looking forward to: total salvation. (1 Peter 1:3-9 MSG)
Jesus’ prayer for all of us is that we will be one, just as the Father and He are one. Just as the Father is in Jesus, and Jesus in the Father, so we will be in them, and the world will believe God sent Jesus to save the world from sin. For God so loved the world that He gave His only son, so that whoever believes in Him will have eternal life. Jesus said, "This is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent." (John 17:20; John 3:16; John 17:3)
So, this Christmas, don’t miss the simplistic beauty of the Christmas story.
It's not boring.
It is wondrous!
It is a miracle!
Jesus is handing you His gift from that rugged tree. Extend you hand and open your heart to receive it.
My prayer is that those who have ears to hear - hear.
Those who have eyes to see - see.
Those whose hearts are open to receive - receive.
And those who believe - declare.
If you openly declare that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by openly declaring your faith that you are saved. (Romans 10:9-10)
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.
Love,
Yolanda
