The Gifts That Wait
In this Christmas season, I realized how different this Christmas will be. There’s no question that the pandemic will impact our plans. We probably won’t travel for family gatherings; there may not be those shopping frenzies; there may not be candlelight services on Christmas Eve; and there may not be caroling and all those Christmas parties. What we will have is an amazing opportunity to get back in touch with Jesus and celebrate Him without all of our extra add ons.
Perhaps we will have the time now to slow down and really think about the reason for the season: Jesus. He has been lost in our rushing and hustle and bustle as Christmas has turned into worldly traditions and the most stressful time of the year. Without all that fanfare, we can remember how wonderful He is and be thankful for the meaning of His birth.
As we contemplate the true meaning of Christmas this year, remember that God gave us two of the greatest gifts we could ever have: the birth of Jesus and the gift of salvation. These are everlasting, perfect gifts that came with everlasting promises. When we celebrate the birth of Jesus we are also celebrating what He did for us–He gave us a chance to be reborn.
James 1:17-18 says, “Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of all He created.”
Today, as you think about what Christmas means to you, consider this. If it wasn’t for the birth of Jesus, you wouldn’t know how to have an intimate relationship with the Lord. It is through Jesus that we have been reconciled to God. If it wasn’t for the birth of Jesus, you wouldn’t have the opportunity to be saved and your sins forgiven and forgotten forever. If it wasn’t for the birth of Jesus, you wouldn’t have the Holy Spirit to guide you until He returns.
If it wasn’t for the birth of Jesus, you wouldn’t have a Savior who waits each day to meet with you and shower His mercy and grace over your life. Take a moment to meet with Him and let Him know what a gift He is in your life. There’s a song called, “You Waited.” Jesus not only came to earth to bring salvation, He waits for us for as long as it takes to come to Him. That’s a gift and a hope worth celebrating.
“You came out of your way. You sat down to speak to me; what amazing grace that You've shown so patiently. And You waited for me, just for me.
You called out my name, knew my past, covered my shame. This amazing grace You’ve shown so patiently. And you waited for me, just for me.
Where would I be if You left me, God? Where would I be if You let me go? But You waited.”
“Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has ascended into heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess...Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.” Hebrews 4:14, 16
Prayer
Lord,
I will exalt You, my God the King; I will praise Your name for ever and ever. Every day I will praise You and extol Your name for ever and ever. Great is the Lord and most worthy of praise; Your greatness no one can fathom. One generation commends Your works to another; they tell of Your mighty acts. They speak of the glorious splendor of Your majesty—and I will meditate on Your wonderful works. They tell of the power of Your awesome works—and I will proclaim Your great deeds. They celebrate Your abundant goodness and joyfully sing of Your righteousness. You are gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and rich in love. You are good to all; You have compassion on all You have made. All Your works praise You, Lord; Your faithful people extol You. They tell of the glory of Your kingdom and speak of Your might, so that all people may know of Your mighty acts and the glorious splendor of Your kingdom. Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and Your dominion endures through all generations. You are trustworthy in all You promises and faithful in all You do. You uphold all who fall and lift up all who are bowed down. The eyes of all look to You, and You give them their food at the proper time. You open Your hand and satisfy the desires of every living thing. You are righteous in all Your ways and faithful in all You do. You are near to all who call on You, to all who call on You in truth. You fulfill the desires of those who fear You; You hear their cry and save them. You watch over all who love You, but all the wicked You will destroy. My mouth will speak in praise of You, my King. Let every creature praise Your holy name for ever and ever. AMEN!
Sing to Your Savior
Because of Who You Are
Photo by Gift Habeshaw on Unsplash
Google Doc
Perhaps we will have the time now to slow down and really think about the reason for the season: Jesus. He has been lost in our rushing and hustle and bustle as Christmas has turned into worldly traditions and the most stressful time of the year. Without all that fanfare, we can remember how wonderful He is and be thankful for the meaning of His birth.
As we contemplate the true meaning of Christmas this year, remember that God gave us two of the greatest gifts we could ever have: the birth of Jesus and the gift of salvation. These are everlasting, perfect gifts that came with everlasting promises. When we celebrate the birth of Jesus we are also celebrating what He did for us–He gave us a chance to be reborn.
James 1:17-18 says, “Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of all He created.”
Today, as you think about what Christmas means to you, consider this. If it wasn’t for the birth of Jesus, you wouldn’t know how to have an intimate relationship with the Lord. It is through Jesus that we have been reconciled to God. If it wasn’t for the birth of Jesus, you wouldn’t have the opportunity to be saved and your sins forgiven and forgotten forever. If it wasn’t for the birth of Jesus, you wouldn’t have the Holy Spirit to guide you until He returns.
If it wasn’t for the birth of Jesus, you wouldn’t have a Savior who waits each day to meet with you and shower His mercy and grace over your life. Take a moment to meet with Him and let Him know what a gift He is in your life. There’s a song called, “You Waited.” Jesus not only came to earth to bring salvation, He waits for us for as long as it takes to come to Him. That’s a gift and a hope worth celebrating.
“You came out of your way. You sat down to speak to me; what amazing grace that You've shown so patiently. And You waited for me, just for me.
You called out my name, knew my past, covered my shame. This amazing grace You’ve shown so patiently. And you waited for me, just for me.
Where would I be if You left me, God? Where would I be if You let me go? But You waited.”
“Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has ascended into heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess...Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.” Hebrews 4:14, 16
Prayer
Lord,
I will exalt You, my God the King; I will praise Your name for ever and ever. Every day I will praise You and extol Your name for ever and ever. Great is the Lord and most worthy of praise; Your greatness no one can fathom. One generation commends Your works to another; they tell of Your mighty acts. They speak of the glorious splendor of Your majesty—and I will meditate on Your wonderful works. They tell of the power of Your awesome works—and I will proclaim Your great deeds. They celebrate Your abundant goodness and joyfully sing of Your righteousness. You are gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and rich in love. You are good to all; You have compassion on all You have made. All Your works praise You, Lord; Your faithful people extol You. They tell of the glory of Your kingdom and speak of Your might, so that all people may know of Your mighty acts and the glorious splendor of Your kingdom. Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and Your dominion endures through all generations. You are trustworthy in all You promises and faithful in all You do. You uphold all who fall and lift up all who are bowed down. The eyes of all look to You, and You give them their food at the proper time. You open Your hand and satisfy the desires of every living thing. You are righteous in all Your ways and faithful in all You do. You are near to all who call on You, to all who call on You in truth. You fulfill the desires of those who fear You; You hear their cry and save them. You watch over all who love You, but all the wicked You will destroy. My mouth will speak in praise of You, my King. Let every creature praise Your holy name for ever and ever. AMEN!
Sing to Your Savior
Because of Who You Are
Photo by Gift Habeshaw on Unsplash
Google Doc
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