CHRISTmas - Part 2

A poor, young teenage girl received a visit from an angel stating that she would be having a baby boy, who would be the Next Big King. She was engaged to be married but had never had sex so this seemed to present a little obstacle. The angel explained the details to Mary's satisfaction. Mary simply responded with this: "I am the Lord's servant. May it be to me as you have said."

But how could she be so calm, so confident, so content with this life interruption and curve ball?

In 1863, a poor poet wrote words that have resonated with generations ever since. A couple years prior he watched as his wife died in their home due to a freak fire accident. Earlier in that year his son was critically injured in the Civil War. As Henry Wadsworth Longfellow began writing a poem he despaired, to say the least. The words were of a lost cause, "Peace on Earth, Good will to Men." But while the Christmas bells rang louder that day something changed. He came to terms with the words he was writing.

But how could he find strength in the midst of such devastation, a nation at war, a dead spouse, and a critically wounded son?

Peace!

An unplanned, seemingly shameful, pregnancy is not really the formula for peace. A war torn land, death, and tragedy do not project an outlook of hope. Somehow, in the midst of these life altering circumstances, there was peace. This peace was not something the world understood. This peace does not make sense. This peace is the joy of Trusting Jesus.

Where do you need peace?
What has life dealt you that has thrown you down, kicked you repetitively, and left you hopeless?
More Jesus will mean, more peace. May you find that this holiday season and no matter what comes your way.

Say these words of Mary: "God, I am yours. I will be OK with whatever happens."

Make this Christmas CHRISTmas!

CHRISTmas - Part 1

Is your life one of CHRISTmas or CHRISTless?

In Spanish, the word mas means more. So is your life one of more Jesus or less Jesus?

In Luke 1:4-25, we read about the angel's visit to Zechariah during his burning of incense as he was fulfilling his priestly duty during temple worship. We also read that Zechariah and Elizabeth lived lives pleasing to God. They "walked in the commandments," meaning they lived a lifestyle that matched God's will for their lives. There was no doubt about where they stood before God and all who looked at them knew as well.

Gabriel, the angel, tells Zechariah that he and Elizabeth will have a baby and he will have a significant future. His name will be John. He will "turn the hearts of fathers to children and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous."

The meaning is this: John will prepare people to experience Jesus. He will restore broken relationships between people. He will also bring people into a relationship with God.

Let me pose three questions for you to consider this Christmas season in light of where we might find and experience more Jesus.

1. Do you need to accept the grace God is offering to you? The people John preached to needed to move from walking in darkness to walking in the light, from disobedience to the wisdom of righteous, damnation to salvation, restoring their relationship with God. We need God's grace to begin living redeemed and experiencing the life God has planned just like the people to whom John preached.
2. Do you need to restore any broken relationships? The people John was ministering to lived in sin. And sin breaks relationships between people. Sin causes dissension, division, and destruction in earthly relationships. We need more Jesus to live in peace and harmony with the people we interact.
3. Do you need to correct any portion of your lifestyle so that there is no doubt about your walk with God? John's parents lived a life that modeled the behavior, attitude, and discipline to which God calls us. John had a wonderful example to follow and I wonder what example we are setting for our children, friends, co-workers, and neighbors. We need more Jesus to be effective in that endeavor.

Make this Christmas CHRISTmas!