Good Tidings - More Christ in Christmas

My Christmas ABC's

J is for joy!  At Jesus's birth the angel said, "Fear not, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy. . . (Luke 2:10 KJV)

What greater message could there be than that the Messiah, the Christ, the Anointed One has been born. He is the One who will break the bonds of death and hell. The One who will teach us how to live, then take upon Himself our sins to pay the price to justice; our pains that He will know how to succor us; and offer us His love and mercy, His grace, or enabling power so that we can return to God clean and worthy. Joy in redemption!

May we, like the shepherds, quickly seek Jesus, and then share the good news with everyone else.

He's Waiting - More Christ in Christmas

My Christmas ABC's

 

I is for invitation - Jesus said, "Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me." (Revelation 3:20 KJV)

A remarkable thing about Jesus Christ is that He doesn't force Himself on anyone. He invites us to follow Him, but never forces.

Accepting His invitation can bring peace into our lives as we realize what is most important, especially in this season that seems to have been taken over by crass materialism: family, friends, neighbors. People matter more than things. Relationships matter more than status. Character matters more than money. Memories matter than possessions. These are the things we take with us when we leave this mortal existence: relationships, our character, our knowledge, and memories.

Invite Jesus into your heart and home for the kind of peace that the world cannot give.

Our Strong Protector - More Christ in Christmas

 My Christmas ABC's

H is for help. "Our soul waiteth for the Lord: he is our help and our shield."  (Ps. 33:20 KJV) "My help cometh from the Lord, which made heaven and earth." (Ps. 121:2 KJV)

Jesus told the parable of the Good Samaritan to teach us of His role in our lives. He is the one who rescues us. He is the one who pays the cost of restoring us to health.

We may encounter people this season who have been beaten up by life, perhaps even by the consequences of their own choices, but we can begin their rescue and lead them to the One who can truly rescue and heal them. Be mindful of opportunities in your path.

Doing Good - More Christ in Christmas

My Christmas ABC's

G is for good -  It was said of Jesus that he "went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil, . . ." (Acts 10: 38)

As we're out and about let's be mindful of doing good, being courteous, kind, and helpful. Small actions can have a big impact on someone else who most likely needs to have something good happen.

Friendship - More Christ in Christmas

F is for Friend. Jesus said, "Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends." 

I'm not sure that Jesus meant we are always supposed to physically die for our friends, but perhaps we can lay down our own interests, activities, or time for them. He was the perfect example of making time for those who needed Him.

My best friends and me