Well here is the fourth and final post in "Celebrating Christmas Throughout December!"
I pray these posts were a blessing to you.
I was debating back and forth between two different groups of people for this last post, and spent much time praying about it.
There were really good ideas and thoughts for both groups.
The other morning at 4 o'clock as I was laying in my bed wide awake, the Lord put upon my heart which of the two to write about!
So the focus for our final post from the Christmas story is
YOU AND ME!
I already know what you're thinking!
"But, Barb, my name isn't mentioned in the Bible! So how can you include me in the Christmas story?"
And my answer to you would be,
"EASY! Let me show you!"
"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
Right there proves that you and I ARE part of the Christmas story!
HOW?
Because you and I are considered part of "his people".
Jesus came to save His people (the entire world) from their sins.
"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life."
John 3:16
See how easy that was?
Now we're going to take a walk down memory lane for a few minutes and see how we can relate to some of those mentioned in the Christmas story.
Mary
Would I have displayed the very same complete faith and obedience which Mary displayed?
Or would I have been too concerned about what others were thinking and saying behind my back when I showed up pregnant and unmarried?
Would I have rejoiced knowing I had found great favour in the Lord's sight to fulfill such a great task of carrying the Saviour of the world in my womb?
Or would have my numerous questions and doubts quenched the sheer wonder of it all?
The Shepherds
If I had been out in the pitch black of night tending to my sheep and suddenly got scared almost to death by an angel proclaiming that a Saviour had been born, would I have been too shaken up by fear to move?
Or would my faith have overcome my fear?
Would I have been too concerned about the well-being of my sheep to leave them to go see this Saviour which the angel talked about?
Or could NOTHING have kept me from going with haste to see the new-born Saviour?
JESUS
Do I take the time to ponder the AMAZING thought that God became man and was born as a baby in order to redeem the world from the fall of mankind? Does that truth still stir up complete AWE in me?
Or have I heard it so many times that it just goes in one ear and right out the other?
Do I share the Christmas story with others so that they, too, can have the opportunity to know the TRUE meaning of Christmas?
Or am I too timid to tell others, wondering what they may think of me?
Am I way too busy buying the perfect presents, decorating the perfect Christmas tree, baking the perfect Christmas cookies, all in an attempt to impress my family and friends, that I forget to share with them the greatest story known to mankind?
Have I taken Jesus out of the manger?
Have I, not only seen Him dying on the cross for the sins of the world, but have I made it personal by accepting the fact that He died for MY sins?
Knowing that if I had been the only person alive at the time, Jesus still would have died just for me. Believing that because of my trust in the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ that my sins are forgiven and I will go to Heaven when I die.
The Wise Men
What about the wise men who traveled a long distance with just a star to guide them so they could find the One whom they heard was born King of the Jews.
Would I have been willing to travel up and down hills, through may perilous dangers, for days and nights on end, following just a star, not sure what or who I would find at the end of the journey?
When the wise men arrived where Jesus was living the very first thing they did was worshipped Him!
"And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him:"
Matthew 2:11
Do I take the time to worship my Saviour?
Do I put my time with Him before anything or anyone else in my life? Do I slow down long enough to open His Word and spend time with Him, not only reading His word, but also in prayer?
Or do I see my Bible setting right there beside me, but instead of opening it, I rush off because I have over one million things to get accomplished that day?
What about giving gifts to the Lord like the wise men gave gifts to Jesus?
"And when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense and myrrh."
Matthew 2:11
You might be thinking, "Well, Barb, I don't own gold, frankincense and myrrh!"
But we DO have things which we can give to the Lord.
The gift of our treasures
Helping when you know of someone struggling with a financial burden. Paying for the person's meal behind you at your favorite drive-thru restaurant just because! Giving to missions. And so much more!
The gift of our talents
Cooking meals and special goodies for shut-ins. Putting your mechanical skills to work when the church bus breaks down. Teaching a Sunday School class. Sewing or crocheting gifts for the residents of your local nursing home. And so much more!
The gift of our time
Taking a widow out for lunch. A smile, a hug and a listening ear to a friend who is discouraged. Offering to babysit for a young married couple so they can go on a date! Praying for others. Cleaning the church (without being paid!) And so much more!
So as you can see, even though our names are not specifically spelled out in the Bible, we can still apply the godly attitudes and actions of those who are mentioned!
GLORY TO GOD
IN THE HIGHEST
HE WAS BORN
TO SAVE
THE WORLD
FROM SIN!
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May God Bless You,
Barb
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