It's the most wonderful time of the year.... *cue cheesy Christmas songs and winter wonderland scene*
December is the mother of all months. It's the end of the year, so everything wraps up in a hurried fashion. December is the month of semester finals, membership renewals, and of course Christmas.
Christmas. Just hearing the word makes me smile and dream of snow, hot chocolate, and cuddling by the fire. I look forward to Christmas with great anticipation every year. I'll spend from after thanksgiving until Christmas Eve preparing gifts, cards, and cookies. I'll spend hours decorating and waste my time arguing over the which tree is "the perfect tree".
This December has been different. I haven't completely joined in on the holiday spirit and I've been preoccupied with more difficult things. Most of us can agree that we tend to cling to our faith when the unexpected happens and life is so busy it's overwhelming and that is the perfect way to describe me this past month. I haven't had the time or the energy to do all the Christmas-y things that I love and look forward to. I've learned an important lesson this season: this is the December I've spent the most time with Jesus.
And this season is about Jesus' birth.
This is the time we should be celebrating our saviors birth! Jesus died on a cross for our sins! He saved us all! That baby boy, born in a manger, saved the world.
"In order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in the newness of life." - Romans 6:4
I know, you've heard the story of Jesus' birth a thousand times. It's easy to become unfazed by this incredible story because we know it like the back of our hand. Read this passage from the bible that shows just how amazing and awe-striking his birth was:
"And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 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 that will cause great joy for all the people.Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger. Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.” When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”” So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.”
Luke 2: 8-20
Imagine for a second that you are one of the shepherds. Imagine how excited they were for them to drop all they were doing and run to Bethlehem to see baby Jesus. Would you drop all you are doing right now to go sit beside your Savior?
I hope the answer is yes now. I pray for all of us to stop what we're doing in this crazy busy season and direct our attention to Jesus. I'm challenging us to do more then hang a "Happy Birthday Jesus" banner and set out our creche scene. I challenge us to pause. Take an afternoon or morning, or whenever, to just pause and spend some time with Jesus. Maybe it's pouring into scripture and reading the truth, or taking a prayer walk, or giving back to the community in some way.
Spend time with him. Spend time with our savior.
December is the mother of all months. It's the end of the year, so everything wraps up in a hurried fashion. December is the month of semester finals, membership renewals, and of course Christmas.
Christmas. Just hearing the word makes me smile and dream of snow, hot chocolate, and cuddling by the fire. I look forward to Christmas with great anticipation every year. I'll spend from after thanksgiving until Christmas Eve preparing gifts, cards, and cookies. I'll spend hours decorating and waste my time arguing over the which tree is "the perfect tree".
This December has been different. I haven't completely joined in on the holiday spirit and I've been preoccupied with more difficult things. Most of us can agree that we tend to cling to our faith when the unexpected happens and life is so busy it's overwhelming and that is the perfect way to describe me this past month. I haven't had the time or the energy to do all the Christmas-y things that I love and look forward to. I've learned an important lesson this season: this is the December I've spent the most time with Jesus.
And this season is about Jesus' birth.
This is the time we should be celebrating our saviors birth! Jesus died on a cross for our sins! He saved us all! That baby boy, born in a manger, saved the world.
"In order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in the newness of life." - Romans 6:4
I know, you've heard the story of Jesus' birth a thousand times. It's easy to become unfazed by this incredible story because we know it like the back of our hand. Read this passage from the bible that shows just how amazing and awe-striking his birth was:
"And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 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 that will cause great joy for all the people.Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger. Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.” When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”” So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.”
Luke 2: 8-20
Imagine for a second that you are one of the shepherds. Imagine how excited they were for them to drop all they were doing and run to Bethlehem to see baby Jesus. Would you drop all you are doing right now to go sit beside your Savior?
I hope the answer is yes now. I pray for all of us to stop what we're doing in this crazy busy season and direct our attention to Jesus. I'm challenging us to do more then hang a "Happy Birthday Jesus" banner and set out our creche scene. I challenge us to pause. Take an afternoon or morning, or whenever, to just pause and spend some time with Jesus. Maybe it's pouring into scripture and reading the truth, or taking a prayer walk, or giving back to the community in some way.
Spend time with him. Spend time with our savior.
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