She will give birth to a son,
and you are to give him the name Jesus,
because he will save his people from their sins.
Matthew 1:21
Welcome to Christmas!
This is the season of contrasts and clashes:
- They say, “Happy Holidays,” and we respond, “Merry Christmas!”
- They belt out, “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree,” while we sing, “Silent Night.”
- They put out a huge inflatable Frosty, as we are setting up the nativity set.
Is Christmas a secular holiday? Yes.
Is it a spiritual holiday? Absolutely YES!
As followers of Christ living for Christ, we should feel that tension in everyday life — as we watch the news, see today’s movie and TV viewing choices, and note the language, attire, and behaviors that have become accepted as normal in our culture.
Choosing to live as devoted women of God means we are living counter-culture.
It’s uncomfortable. It’s stressful. It’s disconcerting.
Sometimes we feel judged and mocked — not just by the media or people in far-away places, but even by those who live next door. The wall that separates “us” from “them” feels like it’s growing taller and harder with every passing day.
But then comes Christmas.
The twinkling lights, the cheerful red-and-green décor, the familiar music, the fresh scent of pine, the warm and comforting taste of gingerbread … our senses are assaulted with the sights, smells, tastes, and sounds of the season. And in an almost magical (make that miraculous) way, it seems to bring about an invisible truce.
Hard hearts become softer. Normally deaf ears might be willing to listen. Deep inside those who might be most resistant to the truth is a seed of desire — perhaps unacknowledged and unidentified, but still there. The longing for it all to be true. A yearning for something this world cannot offer. Hope for more. And that, dear friends, is our window of opportunity!
Christmas is our time to join with the angels in proclaiming the “good news of great joy!” Let’s not squander this once-a-year chance to share Christ’s love while defenses are down and hope is up.
All around us, hearts are primed and ready. Let’s be prepared to walk through the doors that may be open (or to at least wedge our toes into the crack)!
How can we be ready? How can we prepare? We abide in Him! We keep on growing our own relationship with Jesus, so we are ready to introduce others to Him. I’ve found that immersion in the Word is the best way to get to know the Living Word — Jesus!
Are you abiding in His Word every day? Yes — we are entering the too-much-to-do-and-not-enough-time-to-do-it-all season, but that means it is even more important that we’re filled up with Him FIRST!
Please, do not neglect the Word in December! Read it, write it, reflect on it, and then sing it, share it, and live it!
The verses we’ve selected for this Christmas season come from the Old and the New Testament. Some are clearly familiar and connected to Christmas; they may even be displayed on the Christmas cards you send and receive. Others may seem odd in connection with Christmas, but a closer reading will reveal the connection.
Christmas was not Plan B. As we look back, we see the breadcrumbs God left for us sprinkled throughout the Old Testament — all pointing forward to the Bread of Life.
How extraordinary that God would become man. How amazing that love would propel Him to leave heaven’s glorious light to descend to the earth’s darkness. Reflecting upon God’s eternal plan, we realize there was no other way. A perfect sacrifice was required, and only God could provide it. But man sinned, so man must pay the price. Jesus, God-Man, exclusively satisfied the requirements.
Christianity is exclusive in that regard. God came to us. Immanuel means, “God with us.” At Christmas, we celebrate the good news that He came. Our confident hope for eternity rests in His completed work. As we hurl ourselves into the frenzy of shopping and wrapping, baking and cooking, decorating and hosting, we can simultaneously rest in the knowledge all that of our work and activity is not to earn His favor, but to celebrate that we already have it!
Our monthly Write The WORD and ‘Do It’ List downloads
are now available from our Downloads page.
We pray these free resources will help you keep a Mary heart
and check off all those Martha lists during December!
