Christmas isabout Jesus born in a manager. “Though he was God, he did not think of equality
with God as something to cling to,” (Philippians 2:6).
Christmas is
about Mary. “And Mary said, ‘Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to
me according to your word,’” (Luke 1:38).
about Mary. “And Mary said, ‘Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to
me according to your word,’” (Luke 1:38).
It was a moment in history marked for salvation by the Creator of everything who chose to be born with nothing. He became
one of us, born of the Virgin Mary; even though he was God, he took the form of
a servant. “And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming
obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross,” (Philippians 2:8).
one of us, born of the Virgin Mary; even though he was God, he took the form of
a servant. “And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming
obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross,” (Philippians 2:8).
What are so many missing that this holiest of moments in human history gets buried under
consumerism? It is the humility of emptying
ourselves so that God can fill us. Simply receiving all that Jesus came to bring us is
the greatest gift of Christmas. To
receive it, we let go of our desire for control, like Mary did when she needed
a place to stay. If we die to ourselves, Jesus can be born in our hearts.
consumerism? It is the humility of emptying
ourselves so that God can fill us. Simply receiving all that Jesus came to bring us is
the greatest gift of Christmas. To
receive it, we let go of our desire for control, like Mary did when she needed
a place to stay. If we die to ourselves, Jesus can be born in our hearts.
We don’t
know what that will mean, just as Mary did not know how she would become the
mother of the Savior: “And Mary said to the angel, ‘How will this be, since I
am a virgin?’” (Luke 1:34).
know what that will mean, just as Mary did not know how she would become the
mother of the Savior: “And Mary said to the angel, ‘How will this be, since I
am a virgin?’” (Luke 1:34).
We cannot
control all of the things that worry us. We cannot create a perfect Christmas at our houses. We can only stop and empty our hearts of
everything except Jesus and let him take over.
control all of the things that worry us. We cannot create a perfect Christmas at our houses. We can only stop and empty our hearts of
everything except Jesus and let him take over.
Just as the
manager did not turn into a luxury hotel after Jesus was born, the angels still
came and the shepherds knew. “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that
will cause great joy for all the people. Today in
the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the
Messiah, the Lord. This will be a
sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a
manger.’ Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel,
praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest
heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.” (Luke 10
2-14).
manager did not turn into a luxury hotel after Jesus was born, the angels still
came and the shepherds knew. “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that
will cause great joy for all the people. Today in
the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the
Messiah, the Lord. This will be a
sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a
manger.’ Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel,
praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest
heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.” (Luke 10
2-14).
Merry
Christmas! Peace on earth and goodwill towards men.
Christmas! Peace on earth and goodwill towards men.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
For more inspiration check out Patti’s latest book: Holy Hacks: Everyday Ways to Live Your Faith & Get to Heaven. Other books include: Big Hearted: Inspiring Stories from Everyday Families and the best-selling Amazing Grace Series.
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