Luke 2:11 “For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.”
This is part of the message that the angels of the Lord said to the shepherds who were nearby in the fields of Bethlehem. The whole message is one of joy and celebration. The long awaited Messiah had finally come. This birth would change the course of human history. While this miraculous event was taking place there were shepherds in the fields doing what shepherds do. There were inn keepers doing what they do. Some were undoubtable asleep, some might have been eating, some were having fun doing other things, or just unwinding from a long day. Life was happening as normal.
I remember when my dad passed away. It was a day just like any other. I had intended to go by and see him that day. I was in route to see him, when something else came up, so I put it off, intending to see him when I was done. Later when I was starting to head to his house, I received a call from my sister. My dad had passed away. I went to the hospital to see him, and as I left I remember looking around and wondering how everyone could just keep going about their business, didn’t they know that he was gone? That 1st Christmas without him was very difficult. I had a custom of calling him before the sun came up and singing, “We wish you a Merry Christmas” to him. Instead I laid in my bed and whispered it softly to him. I knew that he was in heaven, and that he could hear me, but I missed hearing his voice.
I know that there are some of our ministry family that have lost loved ones this year too. Some have lost your vehicles and homes and even jobs and had to relocate. Some are drowning with financial burdens that won’t seem to stop. Some are dealing with the loss of a relationship. Some a death of a very close friend or a wife, or a mother, or a dad, or a husband. I know that even though you know they are in heaven, you still have a heart that longs to see them. I just wanted to take some time to encourage you that you will see them. You will see them because of the birth of Jesus set forward the plan of salvation that was made before the very foundations of the world were created. I also want you to know that there are things around you that you can do to ease your pain.
I want you to know this, because I know that grief can be a terrible thing if you let it take over your life. I want to encourage you to get out and take advantage of this season to have some joy. Share your love of Christ in your happiness and your sorrow. Find someone and be intentionally kind. Invite a neighbor over to watch the Nativity Story or some other Christ centered movie. Get with your church and find a needy family, and make them Christmas presents. Call up an old friend and just pray for them. Everyone can always use a little prayer. Then take the time to follow up with them on the results of the prayer. Always pray with expectancy.
Those of you who are social media savvy can take the time to write out what Christmas means to you and how Christ has changed your life and post it. It doesn’t have to be long and drawn out, but just enough to remind those who read it about the wonderful gift that God gave us in Jesus. Maybe you can go to a nursing home and read the Christmas story to some elderly. Maybe get to a homeless shelter and help serve there for a night or two. Who knows you might find something that you have been missing.
I guess what I am trying to share with you is that we all can lose sight of how amazing this birth is. That God became man, and lived here among us. He loved, he laughed, he worked. He ate when he was hungry and drank when he was thirsty. He even cried for his friends, and for the lost he never quit fighting. In the end he gave himself, his very life, as a ransom for us all. Surely there is a reason to enjoy Christmas! Let your joy come out and share your testimony!
The Way of Christ Ministries 