Every good and perfect gift is from above,
coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights,
who does not change like shifting shadows.!”
(James 1:17 NIV)
Series: Hope for the Holidays
As you finish up your Christmas preparations this week, we hope you are truly enjoying this season of Advent. We have spent several weeks encouraging each other to slow down, spend time in God’s presence, and enjoy the company of friends and family. Whether you delighted in decorating your home, served cheerfully in your community, or baked up delicious Christmas goodies for those you love, we pray this season is cherished for years to come.
Looking back at our Christmas festivities over the years, we see the changes, the joys, and the sorrows. Each holiday season may be different, but the reason we celebrate remains constant. We rejoice, just as the angels did that first Christmas. The Savior of the world has come. He is the miracle of Christmas. He is the Light of the world. He is our hope forever and always. You have probably read the passage of scripture about the birth of Jesus many times. In the spirit of slowing down, breathing deep, and sitting in His presence, let’s read this aloud to ourselves and let it settle in our souls.
And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid. Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger.” And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying: “Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!” (Luke 2:8-14 NKJV)
Did you hear anything new as you read this to yourself? Maybe you visualized the baby wrapped in those swaddling cloths, or actually sang along with the angels this time. Over the years, as we hear or read the same scripture story, it can lose some of the emotion or significance we once felt about it. But this is the most holy of nights and we must embrace this truth, holding it dearly in our minds and hearts. Christ came for you. He loves you. He brings gifts that will never compare to anything we have received before. Because of Him, we have a hope that steadies us, secures us, and protects us in every circumstance. In all the battles we face and all the victories we rejoice in, Jesus is always with us.
Don’t let this holiday season come and go without taking the chance to prepare your heart. Advent gives us time to remember that God came to be with us, is still with us, and will come again. In Isaiah 9:6, we learn:
For a Child will be born to us, a Son will be given to us; And the government will rest on His shoulders; And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace.
How amazing that we have access to the same hope that the shepherds were given all those years ago on that dark, silent night. What is it you are looking for this Christmas season? Do you need a wise and wonderful counselor to help direct you? Are you in need of a Mighty God to move a mountain for you? Are you struggling with receiving the gift of salvation from the Eternal Father? Or do you need the Prince of Peace to quiet your thoughts so that you can focus more clearly upon Him?
Sisters, these gifts and more are yours, freely given by a Babe born in a manger—sent to save you. May your Hope be in Jesus and may His light shine upon you.
Be near me, Lord Jesus; I ask You to stay, close by me forever—And love me I pray.
(vs 5 of Away in a Manger, composed by William J Kirkpatrick in 1895)
Holding Fast to Hope,
Jen
Scripture References: Luke 2:1-20; Isaiah 9:6; Matthew 28:19-20; Number 6:24-26