No matter how many babies I have had, the awesome wonder of that tiny little creature never ceases to amaze me. I am finding though that there are many who have either forgotten the “reason for the season” or wonder what all the hype is really about.
It was only a little baby, born in the lowliest of circumstances, how can that affect me? Well, there are many stories and songs that explain all that far better than I ever could, so let me just say that Jesus birth means LIFE for you and me!
She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.
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It’s hard to believe that Christmas is only a few weeks away. Are you relaxed and enjoying this time of year? Or are you rushing around, feeling stressed and pressured? In the midst of already busy lives, even seemingly little things like Christmas shopping, planning holiday get-togethers, or decorating the house for the holiday can seem daunting. After all, there are meals to plan, gives to make or buy, cards to send, trees to put up…
It can be easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle of the season and forget the true meaning of what we are celebrating: Jesus.
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It’s funny how life changes. What was once considered a thrill can now be dreadful. For instance, I use to love getting mail. I had lots of pen pals and couldn’t wait to read the latest news from a friend in Iowa, Philadelphia, or Germany. Today, I’m not so much into getting the mail unless it is my birthday, Christmas card season, or I’m expecting a care package for the kids. Why the change of heart regarding the postal system? Because bills, like the ones that were once only addressed to my parents, are now addressed to me. I’ll be honest, once the bills are paid and groceries are bought, and other household necessities are purchased, there is not a whole lot left over.
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Last Sunday morning I was flipping through the TV channels before leaving for church. I was so sad to hear a pastor of a very large church begin his teaching about the gospel of Matthew, the very beginning of the New Testament. He told his congregation, “The first chapter of Matthew is pretty boring, all of those begots and all…Abraham begot Isaac, and Isaac begot Jacob, and Jacob begot Judah and his brothers, And Judah begot Pharez and Zarah of Tamar, and Pharez begot Hezron, and Hezron begot Aram…†He went on to say, “If you can hang in there long enough you will get to the good stuff.â€
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“Give the story of it to your children, and let them give it to their children, and their children to another generation.†Joel 1:3
Do you tell stories?
I’m not talking about the “Once upon a time…†kind about princesses and dragons and faraway lands. I’m talking about the true stories from your life–the times that God has answered prayer, or changed your circumstances for the better, or healed sickness or pain.
The times His love has made a difference.
Because God never leaves the life of a person who turns to Him unchanged.
But how often do we tell these stories to others, especially our kids?
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“1 As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins 2 in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient.3 All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our sinful nature and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature objects of wrath.”
Sometimes I feel like I’m just dripping with sin and no matter how God sees me and forgives me, I will never get that unconditional forgiveness from the ones I have wronged.
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