Psalm 116:12-13 - What shall I render to the LORD for all His benefits toward me? I will take up the cup of salvation, and call upon the name of the LORD.
This Christmas season make it a point to clearly hear the Christmas message. Look at it without the glitter and clamor of the world, but with the excitement and eagerness of a child receiving a gift. But look at it as our receiving the Child, our true Gift. Rejoice in remembering His birth. If you've not considered a new life in Christ, take the time to reflect on all He has done for all mankind, from His virgin birth to His sacrificial death. He did it for others, for me and more importantly, He wants to do it for you.
In our study on the Book of Esther back in November, we ended one of our days' lessons with a brief note about Christmas. Beth Moore said this:
Though we don't know the exact day Christ was born, taking one season a year to observe, savor and celebrate our most wonderful gift is profoundly appropriate. The commercialism and secularism of Christmas is revolting, but the gift-giving is terrifically fitting. God gave His one and only Son as His portion and we who receive Him have the joy of giving to others out of that lavish portion.
It was also suggested that one of the remembrances of the Book of Esther is that even when we do not see the hand of God upon our lives, He's at work. It is our faith in God that drives us. The world may look at disasters we all face either as individuals or as a nation/world and decide that there is no God, but those of us whose faith is in the Lord know better.
Later Beth tells us to "try to grasp that we are the only reminder some people ever get that God lives, forgives, loves, and remains in control...We can celebrate our deliverance and call upon His holy name...We glorify God when we celebrate our deliverance. Deliverance is our being set free from the enemy. It's our life being in a state of transformation, knowing the Truth of who God is, being allowed entry into the Kingdom of God through Jesus Christ's death on the cross, having our sins removed and being clothed in righteousness.
This is truly our greatest gift. Those who have received this gift know it's importance. We realize that any gift we might receive in the natural does not compare to the gift we receive spiritually. It is up to us who have this gift to be light as Jesus was the Light. When we are able to point others to Christ and they receive His gift of salvation, they will also know the faith we have in Him despite what might happen in this world or in the difficult times in our own lives. It's all about Jesus. It's all about what He can do.
This Christmas season make it a point to clearly hear the Christmas message. Look at it without the glitter and clamor of the world, but with the excitement and eagerness of a child receiving a gift. But look at it as our receiving the Child, our true Gift. Rejoice in remembering His birth. If you've not considered a new life in Christ, take the time to reflect on all He has done for all mankind, from His virgin birth to His sacrificial death. He did it for others, for me and more importantly, He wants to do it for you.
The Old Testament prophesied this Gift:
Isaiah 9:6 - "For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace."
And the New Testament showed us the fulfillment of this Gift:
Luke 2:9-12 - An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.
Oh, thank goodness for the joy!
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