Sometimes it feels like I’m just rushing ahead to the next thing, never being really present in the present while the urgent and flashy crowds out the important that’s right in front of me.
Are you too busy to be blessed this Christmas? In all the hurry and scurry, it’s possible to find yourself lonely and lost in a crowd.
Away in a manger, no crib for a bed, the little Lord Jesus laid down His sweet head. They sought shelter, but there was no room in the inn. Jesus wants to shelter in our hearts. Is there room within?
Maybe that something you’re looking for is someone—the Someone called Jesus and the gift of Himself, His comfort, His peace.
Who is this Jesus? The Bible says:
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. (John 1:1 KJV)
All things were made by Him; and without Him was not any thing made that was made. (John 1:3)
And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us... (John 1:14)
Maybe that something you’re looking for is someone—the Someone called Jesus and the gift of Himself, His comfort, His peace.
We sing, “Oh come, Oh Come Emmanuel!” Emmanuel—God with us. Jesus, God incarnate, God in the flesh.
And she shall bring forth a Son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save His people from their sins.” (Matthew 1:21)
For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and His name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. (Isaiah 9:6)
God donned human flesh and subjected himself to the human experience—born to die so we could live. Jesus endured temptation without sin and defeated sin and death to offer us salvation.
The incarnation proves God’s love for us is such that He walked among us to win us to Himself.
Holy left Heaven and inhabited humanity.
He was willing to go to the extreme to redeem.
Jesus means salvation.
It is impossible to save ourselves. If it were possible, Christ wouldn’t have needed to die for us. The only payment for the penalty of sin is a sinless sacrifice. We all fall short. Only Jesus is sinless and therefore able to save us.
We stumble, but His mercies are new every morning. He will never leave us nor forsake His own. He is the Way and the way maker.
Most kings stay in their comfortable palaces and have little to do with the lowly. Kings are usually served, not servants. Jesus, the King of kings, laid in a manger.
He traded his crown for the cross. He stepped out of Heaven and into humanity to serve and offer salvation and new life to all—from mighty rulers to the humblest of citizens.
When God steps in, the impossible becomes possible. Jesus in us overcomes sin and births new life—new life in Christ. The Holy Spirit who conceived Jesus and raised Him from the dead, resides in us—that same power. Amazing.
He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might He increaseth strength. (Isaiah 40:29)
And he said unto me, “My grace is sufficient for thee, for My strength is made perfect in weakness…” II Corinthians 12:9
Do you know Him? Are you current with Him?
The Bible says: …He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that ye through His poverty might be rich. (II Corinthians 8:9)
Jesus is the Good Shepherd, the Lamb of God. His birth was first announced to shepherds.
God chooses the humble for He is Humble. Those who have little and are not distracted by the fool’s gold of affluence and self-sufficiency are often more aware of their need and open to God.
He gives grace to the humble.
Jesus goes where others hesitate or refuse to go—
He is the Light of the World who shines in darkness and brings hope for humanity.
I cast my cares at the foot of the cross, in the hands of my Creator. You can too.
Oh, great glory and grace
Light dispels darkness
When a sinner meets the Savior
We become new again when we become born again.
Holy became lowly, humility donned humanity and gave Himself to us. What a gift — God, the gift giver, became the Gift and gave Himself. Do you want Him?
In all the giving and getting this Christmas, don’t forget The Gift!
“He is everything we need. He is the culmination of our deepest longings. He is our comfort, our joy, our dearest friend. Do you know him?” — Pastor and author Lee Strobel
Come, let us trade our way for His Way, not just for a day, but in the everyday. Let us consecrate our hearts, our whole selves to Him for He is worthy. Jesus makes much out of little when we give ourselves to Him. Come, Let us adore Him.
