Celebrating God's greatest gift to us: Jesus, a reason for the season.
It's Christmas time again. To Christians, we feel a sense of joy, peace, and hope as we reflect God's greatest gift to us. "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only son. That whosoever believes in him will not perish but have everlasting life." (John 3:16).
Another year to prepare gifts for people we love. We love gifts, love the joy and excitement of unwrapping and exploring them. But most of all we love giving gifts to those special to us, to loved ones and friends.
The prophet Isaiah, predicted the coming of Jesus and said he would be born of a virgin and will be known as Immanuel, meaning "God with us." (Isaiah 7:14).
Matthew's account of Jesus' birth tells us how that prophecy was fulfilled.
Jesus is God's gift to us. This is the vital truth to hold on to, as life is never meant to be easy. The apostle Paul held on to it as he declared, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." (Philippians 4:13). This was not an empty cry as we read many passages from the Bible how the apostle Paul faced extreme emotional, physical as well as spiritual struggles. Believers in Jesus are always comforted with the assurance that Christ brings strength because he cares.
Sadly, there are those who want us to doubt this gift, this special gift of Jesus... that he is a myth, that he never existed. Everyone is entitled to his/her own beliefs; this is where faith comes in.
Sobering thoughts as we enter Christmas. Let's remember that not everyone is surrounded by wonderful families. Some of us are ill during the holidays and sometimes we are overcome with great sadness when we remember the loved ones who are not with us. Some people have no one to celebrate Christmas and are besieged by loneliness. We need caring and loving thoughts. May I ask my friends, wherever you may be to pray to those people who have family problems, health struggles, job issues, and other challenges of any kind.
For those of us who celebrate Christmas, the birthday of Jesus, God's greatest gift, we share the greatest joy the season brings. Wishing you all a happy and blessed Christmas. "O Come, All Ye Faithful."
Matthew's account of Jesus' birth tells us how that prophecy was fulfilled.
Jesus is God's gift to us. This is the vital truth to hold on to, as life is never meant to be easy. The apostle Paul held on to it as he declared, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." (Philippians 4:13). This was not an empty cry as we read many passages from the Bible how the apostle Paul faced extreme emotional, physical as well as spiritual struggles. Believers in Jesus are always comforted with the assurance that Christ brings strength because he cares.
Sadly, there are those who want us to doubt this gift, this special gift of Jesus... that he is a myth, that he never existed. Everyone is entitled to his/her own beliefs; this is where faith comes in.
Sobering thoughts as we enter Christmas. Let's remember that not everyone is surrounded by wonderful families. Some of us are ill during the holidays and sometimes we are overcome with great sadness when we remember the loved ones who are not with us. Some people have no one to celebrate Christmas and are besieged by loneliness. We need caring and loving thoughts. May I ask my friends, wherever you may be to pray to those people who have family problems, health struggles, job issues, and other challenges of any kind.
For those of us who celebrate Christmas, the birthday of Jesus, God's greatest gift, we share the greatest joy the season brings. Wishing you all a happy and blessed Christmas. "O Come, All Ye Faithful."
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.